Best Public Schools in Pinson, TN

Pinson, Tennessee is home to just one public school: South Elementary School, which serves students in grades PK through 5 and has an enrollment of 468 students. The school is part of the Jackson-Madison County Schools district, which ranks near the bottom of Tennessee districts at 134 out of 141. Despite the district's struggles, South Elementary School ranks 494 out of 1,019 schools statewide, putting it at the 52nd percentile with a 3-star rating. In other words, this single school stands out as a relative success story within a district that is otherwise performing poorly.

Academically, South Elementary School outperforms its district by a wide margin in every subject. In math, 41.1% of students are proficient versus just 26.1% across the district; in English language arts, 41.4% versus 25.8%; and in science, 50.7% versus 28.7%. Compared to the state, the school is slightly below average in math (−1.9 points), about even in ELA (+0.8 points), and above average in science (+3.8 points). Looking at grade levels, 5th grade is a clear bright spot: math proficiency soars to 63.2% and science to 57.9%, both well above state averages. The lower grades are more of a concern, particularly 3rd and 4th grade math, where proficiency trails the state by 9.3 and 16.1 points respectively.

The biggest warning sign is a steady decline in state ranking, from the 75th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 62nd percentile in 2024-2025 and now the 52nd percentile in 2025-2026. Math proficiency dropped sharply by 10.9 points in one year, falling from above the state average to below it, while ELA and science improved modestly. Chronic absenteeism is another area to watch: at 20.8%, it is much better than the district's 28.2% but still above the state's 18.3%. On a positive note, the school spends $13,003 per student, and its strong science program suggests effective instruction that could be a model for other subjects. For parents, South Elementary School offers a solid mid-range education with clear strengths in science and upper grades, but the recent math decline and early-grade gaps deserve attention.