Best Public Schools in Rutledge, TN

Rutledge, Tennessee, is home to 6 schools in the Grainger County Schools district, serving grades PK–12 with a total enrollment of about 2,051 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district overall is ranked 89th out of 141 Tennessee districts (2 stars), but this average hides significant variation among its schools — from a 4-star elementary and middle school to a struggling high school and an alternative academy with only 6 students.

The clear academic standouts are Joppa Elementary School and Rutledge Middle School, both earning 4 stars in 2025–2026. Joppa ranks in the 71st percentile among elementary schools and beats state averages in math, English, and science, though it falls slightly short in social studies. Rutledge Middle has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from the 41st to the 70th percentile in just two years, with math proficiency rising from 29.7% to 40.7% and social studies proficiency of 64% — far above the state’s 51.4%. By comparison, Rutledge Elementary School earns 3 stars and is closer to state averages, while Grainger High School sits at 2 stars. Despite low test scores — especially in Algebra I and Geometry — Grainger High posts an impressive 95.9% graduation rate and just a 1.5% dropout rate, suggesting strong student persistence.

The most pressing concerns in the district are high school math proficiency, early-grade attendance, and uneven performance across subjects. Rutledge Primary School has the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 23.8%, which is worrying for such a young population. Grainger Academy, serving only 6 students, spends $45,825 per student yet has a high dropout rate — a reminder that higher spending does not guarantee results. In fact, the highest-performing schools in the district spend less per student than several lower-performing ones. Overall, families in Rutledge will find strong elementary and middle school options, especially at Joppa and Rutledge Middle, but should note the academic challenges that emerge at the high school level, particularly in math and English.