Best Public Schools in Winfield, TN

Winfield, Tennessee is served by a single PK–8 school, Winfield Elementary School, which enrolls 198 students and is part of Scott County Schools. Although classified as an elementary school, it serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade, giving it a middle-school-like upper span. This small school stands out for its strong upper-grade performance, especially in 7th and 8th grade science and math, and for impressive year-over-year gains across all subjects. However, it also faces serious challenges, including a high chronic absenteeism rate and critically low 3rd grade math proficiency.

In the 2025–2026 school year, Winfield Elementary improved its state ranking from the 23rd percentile to the 30th percentile, though it still sits in the lower third of Tennessee schools. The school outperforms its district in every subject tested: math proficiency is 37.3% (vs. 36.4% district), science is 46.4% (vs. 38.1%), and social studies is 57.1% (vs. 41.7%), while ELA ties the district at 32.7%. Compared to the state, Winfield is essentially at par in science (46.4% vs. 46.9%) and above in social studies (57.1% vs. 51.4%), but trails in math (-5.7 points) and ELA (-7.9 points). Year-over-year, the school posted double-digit gains in science (+16.8 points) and social studies (+31.6 points), and solid gains in math (+6.0) and ELA (+4.0).

The most notable strengths are in the upper grades: 8th grade science proficiency is 70.6%, a 26.3-point advantage over the state, and 8th grade math is 52.9%, a 14.6-point edge. However, 3rd grade math proficiency is just 5.6%, a staggering 37 points below the state average, indicating a critical early-elementary gap. Chronic absenteeism is a second red flag: 26.1% of students are chronically absent, compared to 17.1% for the district and 18.3% statewide. Social studies is a hidden success story, with all tested grades outscoring the district and 7th and 8th grades beating the state. While the school remains competitive within Scott County, sustained improvement will likely depend on addressing early-grade math foundations and attendance issues.