Lafollette Middle School

Lafollette Middle School serves 372 students in grades 6–8 in La Follette, Tennessee, within Campbell County Schools, a district ranked among the lowest-performing in the state. The school currently holds a 1-star rating, placing it in the 22nd percentile of Tennessee middle schools, with proficiency rates well below state averages in every core subject. In the most recent school year, only about 23% of students scored proficient in math and science, and 22% in English language arts, compared to state rates of roughly 43% and 41%.

The most pressing challenge is chronic absenteeism: nearly 43% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, meaning almost half the student body missed significant school time. That rate is more than double the state average of 18.3% and far higher than nearby Jacksboro Middle School at 25.5% or Norris Middle School at 9.6%. Attendance and achievement are closely linked, and this likely plays a major role in the low test scores. The school also shows a sharp academic drop from 6th to 7th grade, particularly in math and science, suggesting students lose ground as they progress through middle school.

There are some genuine bright spots. Lafollette has improved steadily since 2021–2022, climbing from the 6th to the 22nd percentile statewide, and social studies proficiency has nearly doubled. Sixth-grade social studies is a real strength, with 55.5% proficiency—matching the state average. A nearby comparison shows what is possible: Jacksboro Middle School, just 6.3 miles away and in the same district, earns a 3-star rating with far better outcomes and lower absenteeism, despite spending less per student. This suggests school-level conditions like attendance and instructional focus matter more than funding alone. Lafollette is heading in the right direction, but improving attendance and supporting 7th and 8th graders will be critical in the years ahead.