News Summary
Knox County Schools has achieved remarkable recognition with five high schools ranking among the top 100 in Tennessee. L&N STEM Academy leads the list at No. 6 in the state and No. 310 nationally, showcasing the district’s commitment to academic excellence. Other notable schools include Farragut High School, Bearden High School, West High School, and Hardin Valley Academy. However, Tennessee’s education system faces challenges such as low teacher salaries and inadequate K-12 spending. Despite this, the accomplishments highlight the dedication to quality education in Knox County.
Knoxville – Knox County Schools has received significant recognition as five of its high schools have been ranked among the top 100 in Tennessee according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report. This accomplishment reflects the district’s commitment to academic excellence, showcasing over 25% of its 18 public high schools within this prestigious listing.
Among the high-performing institutions, L&N STEM Academy stands out as the highest-ranking school in the county, achieving the No. 6 position in Tennessee and No. 310 nationally. L&N has a student population of 581 and boasts an impressive graduation rate of 99%, the top in Knox County. Following closely is Farragut High School, ranked No. 13 in the state and No. 845 nationally, with over 2,000 students enrolled. Farragut also reported a remarkable 95.7 percentile score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), with 59% of its seniors having completed at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
Bearden High School claims the No. 38 slot in Tennessee, serving approximately 2,000 students, while having a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1. The rankings continue with West High School, positioned at No. 39 in the state and No. 2,803 nationally, home to around 1,500 students. West High School is noted for offering Knox County’s only high school International Baccalaureate program and maintains a graduation rate of 92%, along with above-average proficiency levels across various subjects. Hardin Valley Academy, also notable, ranks as the fifth best in Knox County and No. 57 in Tennessee, with a student population of about 2,050 and a graduation rate of 95%. Hardin Valley offers a minimum classroom ratio of 17:1 and achieved an 80.9 percentile score on the TCAP.
From a broader perspective, 16 of Knox County’s 18 high schools made the cut for the Tennessee high school rankings, a substantial achievement considering there are a total of 377 public high schools in the state out of 439. The only two schools in Knox County that did not receive a ranking are the Knox Adaptive Education Center and Richard Yoakley School.
Highlighting the educational landscape in East Tennessee, notable high schools beyond Knox County include Maryville High School at No. 28 and Oak Ridge High School at No. 35 in the state.
Despite these positive accolades, Tennessee’s education system faces critical challenges. The state ranks 37th out of 50 states in overall education performance, primarily due to persistent issues such as low teacher salaries. The starting salary for teachers in Tennessee is $44,897, with the average teacher salary hovering around $58,630. Moreover, Tennessee finds itself ranked 47th in K-12 spending per student, which has contributed to discussions about the quality of education and the resources allocated to schools across the state.
Despite the challenges, the high rankings of Knox County’s high schools provide a hopeful outlook on the education quality and academic achievements within the district. As institutions strive for improvement and overcome systemic issues, Knox County continues to demonstrate a notable commitment to fostering educational excellence.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Knoxville Best Public High Schools Ranking
- Wikipedia: Public School
- WBIR: Knox County Schools Bus Driver Shortage
- Google Search: Knox County Schools
- Knox News: Knox County Schools Year-Round Classes
- Google Scholar: Knox County Schools Education
- Knox News: Knox County Schools Back to School Calendar
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education System Tennessee
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