Top Rankings
Knox County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public middle schools serving 14,092 students in Knox County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in Tennessee.
Public Middle Schools in Knox County School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Tennessee public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Tennessee public middle school average of 39% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
94 Schools
672 Schools
# Students
60,820 Students
315,543 Students
# Teachers
4,057 Teachers
21,238 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Knox County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#53 out of 147 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
31%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
37%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
40%

Graduation Rate
90%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.58
# American Indian Students
79 Students
486 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
1,572 Students
5,814 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
8,419 Students
43,054 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
14%
# Black Students
7,711 Students
61,375 Students
% Black Students
13%
19%
# White Students
39,346 Students
191,076 Students
% White Students
65%
61%
# Hawaiian Students
79 Students
301 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,614 Students
13,437 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
1,830
4,463
# Students in K Grade:
4,349
8,748
# Students in 1st Grade:
4,560
9,053
# Students in 2nd Grade:
4,701
9,015
# Students in 3rd Grade:
4,448
8,869
# Students in 4th Grade:
4,503
9,837
# Students in 5th Grade:
4,481
18,109
# Students in 6th Grade:
4,614
70,329
# Students in 7th Grade:
4,386
74,290
# Students in 8th Grade:
4,373
74,350
# Students in 9th Grade:
4,697
8,695
# Students in 10th Grade:
4,692
6,911
# Students in 11th Grade:
4,671
6,404
# Students in 12th Grade:
4,515
6,470
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,738 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,979. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,056 is less than the state median of $11,478. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$653 MM
$12,104 MM

Spending
$612 MM
$11,597 MM

Revenue / Student
$10,738
$11,979

Spending / Student
$10,056
$11,478

Best Knox County School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Farragut Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
200 West End Ave
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9756
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9756
Grades: 6-8
| 1,400 students
Rank: #22.
West Valley Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9118 George Williams Rd
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 539-5145
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 539-5145
Grades: 6-8
| 1,107 students
Rank: #33.
Hardin Valley Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2280 Steele
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Grades: 6-8
| 1,017 students
Rank: #44.
Karns Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7732
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7732
Grades: 6-8
| 957 students
Rank: #55.
Powell Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3329 West Emory Rd
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-9008
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-9008
Grades: 6-8
| 797 students
Rank: #66.
Bearden Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Francis Rd
Knoxville, TN 37909
(865) 539-7839
Knoxville, TN 37909
(865) 539-7839
Grades: 6-8
| 1,243 students
Rank: #77.
Cedar Bluff Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
707 North Cedar Bluff Rd
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7891
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7891
Grades: 6-8
| 547 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Gibbs Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7625 Tazewell
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Grades: 6-8
| 614 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Gresham Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 Gresham Rd
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1430
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1430
Grades: 6-8
| 801 students
Rank: #1010.
Halls Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4317 East Emory Rd
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7494
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7494
Grades: 6-8
| 996 students
Rank: #1111.
Carter Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
204 North Carter School Rd
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3426
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3426
Grades: 6-8
| 587 students
Rank: #1212.
Emerald Academy
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
220 Carrick St
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 637-3227
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 637-3227
Grades: K-8
| 458 students
Rank: #1313.
South Doyle Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3900 Decatur Rd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2133
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2133
Grades: 6-8
| 799 students
Rank: #1414.
Holston Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
600 Chilhowee Dr
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 594-1300
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 594-1300
Grades: 6-8
| 476 students
Rank: #1515.
Knox Adaptive Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5719 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Grades: PK-12
| 41 students
Rank: #1616.
Whittle Springs Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2700 White Oak Ln
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-4474
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-4474
Grades: 6-8
| 467 students
Rank: #1717.
Vine Middle/magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1807 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 594-4461
Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 594-4461
Grades: 6-8
| 393 students
Rank: #1818.
Northwest Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Pleasant Ridge Rd
Knoxville, TN 37912
(865) 594-1345
Knoxville, TN 37912
(865) 594-1345
Grades: 6-8
| 808 students
Rank: #1919.
Ridgedale Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4600 Ridgedale Rd
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 909-9099
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 909-9099
Grades: 6-12
| 75 students
Rank: #2020.
Richard Yoakley School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4415 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3790
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3790
Grades: 6-12
| 105 students
Rank: n/an/a
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Grades: 1-12
| 404 students
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.