Fentress County Schools

Fentress County Schools, serving approximately 2,225 students across 5 schools in a rural Tennessee county, is ranked 110th out of 141 districts and holds a 1-star rating, with four PK-8 elementary schools and one high school. While the district as a whole lags the state, results vary dramatically by school.

Clarkrange High School is the clear standout, earning 4 stars and ranking in the 71st percentile statewide, with a 98.4% graduation rate and strong scores in Algebra II and English II. Among elementary schools, Allardt Elementary School and Pine Haven Elementary School are the top performers, each earning 2 stars and ranking near the 47th percentile. Allardt leads elementary schools in ELA, science, and social studies, while Pine Haven posts the best math scores. In contrast, York Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, ranking in the 18th percentile with 1 star and falling far below district and state averages in every subject. South Fentress Elementary School, despite having the lowest chronic absenteeism and spending the least per student, has declined sharply from the 54th to the 29th percentile over three years.

Several patterns stand out for parents. Higher spending does not predict success: York spends the most per elementary student yet has the weakest outcomes. Attendance doesn't explain performance either, as Allardt has the highest absenteeism but the best elementary academics. A common concern across all four elementary schools is a drop in test scores in grades 6-8, suggesting middle-grade instruction is a district-wide challenge. Meanwhile, Clarkrange High's small size can cause large year-to-year swings in test scores, so parents should interpret those changes cautiously. Overall, Fentress County offers a strong high school option in Clarkrange, but families with younger students will find uneven quality and should look closely at individual school performance.