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Below Average

#1478 of 1,785 schools in TN

Unaka High School

High School · Carter County

119 Robinson LN, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Enrollment

309

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elizabethton

#13 of 13

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#312 of 361

In district

#12 of 15

Carter County

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Unaka High School

Unaka High School is a regular public high school located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, within Carter County. Nestled in a rural setting near the town, this school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 309 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, Unaka High School offers personalized attention and support for its students.

The academic performance at Unaka High School shows room for growth, with the school ranked 22nd percentile among Tennessee’s high schools. The MySchoolScout Rating reflects this trend, coming in at 3.5 out of 10, while the academic score is 3.6/10. In terms of proficiency rates across all grades, ELA and reading show 36% of students meeting or exceeding standards, math has 20%, and science sees 32%.

The school focuses on developing its curriculum to better support student success in these areas. Unaka High School is situated in a community that values education and supports the growth of young minds.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Unaka High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Math vs. State Avg-22.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,253

Unaka High School — Students at Unaka High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.2%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 35.7%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
16.6%
ELA
38%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How Unaka High School Compares

See how Unaka High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in TN
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Location

119 Robinson LN, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Unaka High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elizabethton High School (rated 7.2/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hampton High School (rated 6.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Siam Learning Center (rated 5.8/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elizabethton, see our Elizabethton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Hunter Elementary Elizabethton 1.2 mi 6.8
Unaka Elementary Elizabethton 3.3 mi 5.3
East Side Elementary Elizabethton 4.4 mi 7.5
Siam Learning Center Elizabethton 4.3 mi 5.8
Carter County Online Academy Elizabethton 4.3 mi 5.5
Harold McCormick Elementary Elizabethton 4.8 mi 7.7
ELIZABETHTON ACADEMY Elizabethton 5.4 mi
Valley Forge Elementary Elizabethton 5.8 mi 8.8
T A Dugger Junior High School Elizabethton 5.3 mi 6.5
EAST TN CHRISTIAN HOME & ACADEMY Elizabethton 5.9 mi
Elizabethton High School Elizabethton 5.9 mi 7.2
Hampton Elementary Hampton 7.0 mi 6.9
West Side Elementary Elizabethton 6.3 mi 7.2
Hampton High School Hampton 7.7 mi 6.3
Sullivan East Middle School Bluff City 8.3 mi 6.7
Sullivan East High School Bluff City 9.0 mi 5.2
Little Milligan Butler 8.5 mi 4.3
Emmett Elementary Bristol 10.0 mi 6.3
Bluff City Elementary Bluff City 8.9 mi 6.5
Happy Valley High School Elizabethton 8.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37643 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,455

Median Home Value

$156,200

Median Rent

$733/mo

Population

33,690

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

46.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Unaka High School has a median household income of $50,455. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,200, with a median rent of $733/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lake Co High School Tiptonville, TN 4.7
Houston Co High School Erin, TN 4.8
South Pittsburg High School South Pittsburg, TN 4.8
Fayetteville High School Fayetteville, TN 4.6
Halls High School Halls, TN 4.9
Moore County High School Lynchburg, TN 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Unaka High School

What grades does Unaka High School serve?

Unaka High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Unaka High School?

Unaka High School has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Unaka High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Unaka High School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Unaka High School rank in TN?

Unaka High School is ranked #1478 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Unaka High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Unaka High School has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Unaka High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Unaka High School has 20.2% math proficiency and 35.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Unaka High School a charter school?

No, Unaka High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Unaka High School a Title I school?

No, Unaka High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,708/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elizabethton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Carter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carter County
District Enrollment
4,630
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,526
District Rank
#12 of 15

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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