For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public high schools serving 19,029 students in Knox County, TN.
The top ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN are L N Stem Academy, Farragut High School and Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Knox County, TN public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Tennessee public high school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 40% statewide average). High schools in Knox County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Tennessee public high schools.
Knox County, TN public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the Tennessee average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Farragut High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Tennessee or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Knox County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
L N Stem Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
401 Henley St
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 329-8440
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 329-8440
Gr: 9-12 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Farragut High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11237 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9775
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9775
Gr: 9-12 | 2,091 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
535 Chickamauga Avenue Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 525-0069
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 525-0069
Gr: 9-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #44.
Bearden High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8352 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 539-7800
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 539-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 2,008 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #55.
Hardin Valley Academy
(Math: 27% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11345 Hardin Valley Rd
Knoxville, TN 37932
(865) 690-9690
Knoxville, TN 37932
(865) 690-9690
Gr: 9-12 | 2,043 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
West High School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3300 Sutherland Ave
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 594-4477
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 594-4477
Gr: 9-12 | 1,509 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #77.
Career Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7201 Strawberry Plains Pike
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1731
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1731
Gr: 9-12 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Halls High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4321 East Emory Rd
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7757
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7757
Gr: 9-12 | 1,252 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Gibbs High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7628 Tazewell Pike
Corryton, TN 37721
(865) 689-9130
Corryton, TN 37721
(865) 689-9130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,047 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Central High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5321 Jacksboro Pike
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1400
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,296 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1111.
Powell High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2136 West Emory Rd
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-2171
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-2171
Gr: 9-12 | 1,292 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Karns High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2710 Byington Solway Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-8670
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-8670
Gr: 9-12 | 1,341 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1313.
South Doyle High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2020 Tipton Station Rd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 577-4475
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 577-4475
Gr: 9-12 | 955 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1515.
Fulton High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2509 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-1240
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-1240
Gr: 9-12 | 927 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Tennessee School For The Deaf Upper School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: 7-12 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1818.
Austin East High/magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2800 M L King Jr Ave
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-3792
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-3792
Gr: 9-12 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1919.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Gr: 1-12 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
1924 Dutch Valley Dr
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 992-9026
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 992-9026
Gr: 7-9 | 914 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Knox County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Byington Solway Career And Technical Education Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
2700 Byington Solway Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 693-3511
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 693-3511
Gr: 9-12
709 North Cedar Bluff Rd
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7852
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7852
Gr: 3-5 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
101 East Fifth Av
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-5081
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-5081
Gr: 9-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Karns Annex Alternative School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
8109 Beaver Ridge Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 470-2134
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 470-2134
Gr: PK-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
8108 Beaver Ridge Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7772
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7772
Gr: 3-5 | 570 students
600 N. Chilhowee Dr
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 622-3902
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 622-3902
Gr: 1-5 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Gr: 9-12 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Gr: 6-8 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
101 East 5th Av, Room 308
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3713
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3713
Gr: 9-12 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 271:1
535 Chicamauga Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 689-1454
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 689-1454
Gr: 9-12
Mckeesport Avts (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
501 South 21st St
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 594-5035
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 594-5035
Gr: Inquire with school | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
North Knox Career And Technical Education Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
7411 Ledgerwood Dr
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7576
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7576
Gr: 9-12
Tennessee Middle School For The Deaf (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN?
The top ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN include L N Stem Academy, Farragut High School and Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy.
How many public high schools are located in Knox County?
21 public high schools are located in Knox County.
What is the racial composition of students in Knox County?
Knox County public high schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Knox County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Knox County include: Richard Yoakley School vs. Ridgedale Alternative School, Ridgedale Alternative School vs. Richard Yoakley School, Karns High School vs. Hardin Valley Academy
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
