Best Public Schools in Talbott, TN

Talbott, Tennessee is served by just one public school—Talbott Elementary School—which enrolls 300 students in grades PK through 5, meaning there are no middle schools, high schools, or alternative schools within the city limits. The entire public school landscape in this Jefferson County Schools community rests on this single institution, and it performs impressively. Talbott Elementary School holds a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, while its district is rated 3 stars. The school ranks 243rd out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary schools, placing it in the 76th percentile for the 2025–2026 school year.

In terms of academics, mathematics is clearly the school's signature subject. Talbott's math proficiency rate is 63.3 percent, a full 20 percentage points above both the district (43.3 percent) and state (43.0 percent) averages. Fifth graders are especially strong, with 72.1 percent proficient in math. English Language Arts proficiency stands at 48.9 percent, above district and state averages, but there is a concerning trend: ELA proficiency declines steadily from 55.8 percent in 3rd grade to 49.1 percent in 4th grade and 41.9 percent in 5th grade. Science improved substantially year over year, jumping from 50.0 to 54.7 percent proficiency. The school also reports a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.1 percent, which is better than both the district (19.1 percent) and the state (18.3 percent).

One of the most interesting takeaways is that Talbott Elementary School is a bright spot within an average-performing district. Jefferson County Schools ranks 71st out of 141 districts (50th percentile), yet Talbott Elementary School sits in the top quarter of all Tennessee elementary schools at the 76th percentile. The school's rank has remained consistently strong over the past three years, ranging from the 71st to 77th percentile. With per-student spending of $11,449, the school is clearly producing solid outcomes. The main area of concern is upper-grade literacy, which suggests a need for additional reading support in 4th and 5th grades. Parents in the Talbott area can feel confident that their local elementary school is a high-quality option within Jefferson County.