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Average

#222 of 284 private schools in TN

Valley Christian Academy

Elementary School

482 COUNTY ROAD 725, Riceville, TN 37370

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TN statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Tennessee elementary schools

#88 of 106

About Valley Christian Academy

Valley Christian Academy serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Riceville, Tennessee, with an enrollment of 62 students. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, supported by 6 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each child. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a strong 9.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating.

Valley Christian Academy ranks #152 out of 284 schools statewide, placing it in the 47th percentile among Tennessee elementary schools. This solid ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within its close-knit community setting. Students at Valley Christian Academy benefit from the stability and strong relationships that come with a smaller school environment, where teachers and staff can know each child individually.

The intimate class sizes allow for differentiated instruction and meaningful connections between educators and families. The school is situated in the rural community of Riceville, where the median household income is $61,195 and the poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This setting provides students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions, fostering a sense of community and connection to the natural landscape of McMinn County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Valley Christian Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Valley Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Valley Christian Academy 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$11,132
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$11,949
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.07x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
82%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$169,370

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 62 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Valley Christian Academy compares to the 1 public school in Riceville, TN

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
This School
vs
15.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
62
This School
vs
619
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.4
This School
vs
7.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 85.5% vs 0%
Black 11.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.2% vs 0%
Valley Christian Academy Riceville Public Avg

All Schools in Riceville

School Rating
Valley Christian Academy (this school) 5.4
Riceville Elementary 7.6

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 26%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 62
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 85.5%
Black 11.3%
Hispanic 3.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

482 COUNTY ROAD 725, Riceville, TN 37370

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Christian Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. E K Baker Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Athens), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charleston Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Charleston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riceville Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Riceville, see our Riceville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Riceville Elementary Riceville 2.4 mi 7.6
McMinn High School Athens 6.1 mi 5.9
CHRIST'S LEGACY ACADEMY Athens 6.0 mi 5.7
Calhoun Elementary Calhoun 6.1 mi 6.6
Rogers Creek Elementary Athens 6.4 mi 7.4
Athens City Middle School Athens 6.4 mi 4.9
SHENANDOAH RANCH ACADEMY Calhoun 7.8 mi
Charleston Elementary School Charleston 7.3 mi 8.3
Walker Valley High School Cleveland 8.5 mi 5.8
Mountain View Elementary Etowah 7.9 mi 5.3
Etowah Elementary Etowah 8.3 mi 5.4
E K Baker Elementary Athens 10.3 mi 9.0
FAIRVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 9.3 mi 6.0
ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Englewood 9.2 mi 5.0
Polk County High School Benton 11.7 mi 7.4
Central High School Englewood 9.8 mi 7.1
Benton Elementary Benton 12.6 mi 5.2
Polk Innovative Learning Academy Benton 12.7 mi 5.3
Chilhowee Middle School Benton 12.7 mi 5.0
Meigs Middle School Decatur 12.6 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37370 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,694

Median Home Value

$208,000

Median Rent

$721/mo

Population

5,244

College Educated

13.9%

Homeownership

83.5%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Christian Academy has a median household income of $49,694. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,000, with a median rent of $721/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
CEDARS PREPARATORY ACADEMY Lebanon, TN 5.4
CHRIST LIFE ACADEMY Lawrenceburg, TN 5.8
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Knoxville, TN 5.8
KNOXVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville, TN 5.9
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY White House, TN 4.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Lawrenceburg, TN 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Christian Academy

What grades does Valley Christian Academy serve?

Valley Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Valley Christian Academy?

Valley Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian Academy is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Valley Christian Academy rank in TN?

Valley Christian Academy is ranked #222 out of 284 private schools in TN.

What is Valley Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 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.

Is Valley Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Valley Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Valley Christian Academy a religious school?

Valley Christian Academy has a Baptist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
62
Gender Split
65% M / 35% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Baptist
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
MCMINN
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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