📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (TCAP 2025–26), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
14 Rated Districts in the Knoxville, TN Metro Area
TCAP 2025–26 · percentile among Tennessee districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Maryville City School District | Maryville | 10/10 Excellent | 98th |
| #2 | Alcoa City School District | Alcoa | 9/10 Excellent | 89th |
| #3 | Oak Ridge City School District | Oak Ridge | 9/10 Excellent | 88th |
| #4 | Clinton City School District | Clinton | 9/10 Excellent | 86th |
| #5 | Loudon County School District | Loudon | 9/10 Excellent | 81st |
| #6 | Knox County School District | Knoxville | 8/10 Good | 71st |
| #7 | Roane County School District | Kingston | 6/10 Average | 59th |
| #8 | Anderson County School District | Clinton | 6/10 Average | 54th |
| #9 | Blount County School District | Maryville | 6/10 Average | 50th |
| #10 | Lenoir City School District | Lenoir City | 5/10 Average | 45th |
| #11 | Grainger County School District | Rutledge | 4/10 Below Average | 34th |
| #12 | Campbell County School District | Jacksboro | 2/10 Poor | 17th |
| #13 | Morgan County School District | Wartburg | 2/10 Poor | 12th |
| #14 | Union County School District | Maynardville | 1/10 Poor | 7th |
Best School Districts in the Knoxville, TN Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from TCAP 2025–26 (Tennessee) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Knoxville, TN metro area? ▼
Among the 14 rated districts in the Knoxville, TN metro area, the highest-rated is Maryville City School District (Maryville), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 98th percentile of Tennessee districts on TCAP 2025–26 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.