News Summary
Knox County Schools has ranked five public high schools among the top 100 in Tennessee, highlighting the district’s dedication to quality education. With over 25% of its 18 high schools recognized, this achievement underscores the hard work of students and educators. Notable schools include L&N STEM Academy at No. 6 statewide, followed by Farragut High School at No. 13 and others. Despite these successes, the education sector faces issues like low teacher salaries and funding challenges.
KNOXVILLE, TN – Knox County Schools has made a remarkable showing in the latest U.S. News & World Report, with five of its public high schools ranked among the top 100 in Tennessee for 2025. This recognition highlights the district’s commitment to providing quality education and the significant achievement of its students.
Out of the 18 public high schools in Knox County, more than 25% are recognized in the top rankings, which is a significant achievement considering the total of 377 schools on the state list. Sixteen of Knox County’s high schools earned a position on this list, evidencing the district’s overall educational strength.
The five highly ranked schools include L&N STEM Academy, Farragut High School, Bearden High School, West High School, and Hardin Valley Academy. Notably, L&N STEM Academy leads the pack at No. 6 in the state and is also ranked No. 310 nationally. With a student population of 581, L&N STEM Academy boasts a graduation rate of 99%, the highest of all Knox County high schools.
Farragut High School follows closely, positioned at No. 13 in Tennessee and No. 845 nationally. Serving over 2,000 students, Farragut has proven its academic effectiveness with a remarkable 95.7 percentile score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). In addition, approximately 59% of its seniors have taken at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam, which enhances college readiness among its graduates.
Bearden High School ranks as No. 38 in the state and No. 2,535 nationally, educating about 2,000 students with a teacher-to-student ratio of 18:1. The school is dedicated to maintaining a conducive learning environment, ensuring that teachers can provide the necessary attention to each student.
West High School, ranking No. 39 in Tennessee and No. 2,803 nationally, is well-known for offering Knox County’s only high school International Baccalaureate program. With around 1,500 students and a graduation rate of 92%, West High exhibits higher-than-average proficiency levels across subjects, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence.
Hardin Valley Academy rounds out the top five Knox County high schools at No. 57 in the state. With a population of roughly 2,050 students, the academy maintains a graduation rate of 95% and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. The school’s TCAP score of 80.9 percentile further showcases its academic prowess.
In comparison, other notable high schools within East Tennessee include Maryville High School at No. 28 and Oak Ridge High School at No. 35 in the state rankings.
Despite these commendable achievements, schools in Tennessee still face critical challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the low teacher salaries in the state, with starting salaries around $44,897 and an average salary of approximately $58,630. This financial strain places Tennessee at 37 out of 50 states in overall educational performance and ranks the state very low at No. 47 in K-12 spending per student.
As Knox County Schools continues to promote academic achievement and character development within its community, the recognition of its high schools serves as a testament to the hard work of educators, students, and families striving for excellence in education.
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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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INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
