Best Public Schools in Hampton, TN

Hampton, Tennessee, is served by just two schools — Hampton Elementary School and Carter County Online Academy — which together educate roughly 785 students across grades PK–12 as part of the Carter County Schools district, a district ranked 108 out of 141 in Tennessee (23rd percentile). Hampton Elementary is the traditional academic anchor, serving 662 students in grades PK–8, while the Online Academy serves 123 students in grades K–12 as an alternative school. Although the district overall ranks in the bottom quarter of the state, Hampton Elementary performs noticeably better, placing in the 47th percentile statewide in 2025–2026.

Hampton Elementary School is clearly the stronger of the two schools, with a notable split between subjects. Math stands out: 42.5% of all students are proficient, close to the state average of 43% and well above the district's 37.8%. Most impressively, 58.1% of 8th graders are proficient in math, compared to 38.3% statewide — a nearly 20-point advantage. English Language Arts is the weak spot: overall proficiency is just 32.2%, and it declines steadily as students age, from 44.1% in 4th grade to only 21.6% in 8th grade. Science shows a similar middle-school slump, dropping from 46.9% in 5th grade to 23.8% in 6th grade. The school spends $12,548 per student, and chronic absenteeism is 18.4%, right at the state average.

By contrast, the Carter County Online Academy faces steep academic challenges, with proficiency below 13% in every core subject — math at 6.5%, ELA at 9.8%, science at 12.1%, and social studies at 8.5% — far below district averages of 33–49%. These low scores are common for alternative schools serving at-risk students, and the 80% graduation rate shows some students do successfully complete their diplomas. However, the 20% dropout rate remains a serious concern. The Online Academy also spends just $5,473 per student, more than $7,000 less than Hampton Elementary, despite serving students with greater needs. In short, families in Hampton have two very different educational paths: a traditional PK–8 school with genuine math strengths but literacy challenges, and an alternative academy focused on helping students earn a diploma against considerable odds.