Summary:
Oak Ridge Schools is a compact Tennessee district of 7 schools—4 elementary (K–4), 2 middle (5–8), and 1 high school (9–12)—serving about 4,853 students and ranking in the top 10% of state districts.
For parents, the standout choice is Linden Elementary School, the district's only 5-star school and its highest academic performer with roughly 70% proficiency in math, ELA, and science. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the district at 8.1%. Among other elementary schools, Glenwood Elementary School and Woodland Elementary School both earn 4 stars and solid proficiency, while Willow Brook Elementary School trails the pack at 3 stars with below-district science and ELA scores. At the middle school level, Jefferson Middle School is the stronger option, ranking in the 88th percentile and showing excellent science and social studies results, whereas Robertsville Middle School posts ELA proficiency below the state average. Oak Ridge High School graduates 95.5% of students and exceeds state averages in key subjects like Biology and US History, though its chronic absenteeism rate of 26% is the highest in the district and its state rank has slipped in recent years.
Spending per student varies noticeably—Glenwood spends over $17,000 per student, more than Linden, yet Linden outperforms it. This highlights that factors like attendance and school culture matter as much as funding. Notably, elementary schools generally outshine middle schools academically, and chronic absenteeism tracks closely with weaker results: the schools with the highest missed days (Oak Ridge High and Willow Brook) are the lowest-ranked, while the schools with the best attendance (Linden, Glenwood, Woodland, Jefferson) are the top performers. For parents, this district offers excellent elementary options and a strong middle school, but the high school's attendance issues and Robertsville's reading scores are worth watching.
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