Huntland School

Huntland School in Huntland, TN, is a small-town PK-12 alternative school serving 631 students within Franklin County Schools. Despite its district ranking in the bottom quarter of Tennessee, Huntland stands out for exceptional attendance and graduation outcomes: its 2024–2025 chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.0% is less than half the district's 15.1% and one-third of the state's 18.3%, while its 96.4% graduation rate exceeds both the district (89.9%) and state (90.5%) for five straight years.

Academically, Huntland is a mixed picture. All-grades proficiency in English language arts (39.8%) nearly matches the state average (40.6%), and science (48.3%) and social studies (48.6%) beat district averages by large margins. Strong bright spots include 4th grade math and science, which outperform the state, and English II proficiency at 58.1%—exactly the state average and a dramatic jump from the low 15.0% English I score. However, secondary math is a major concern: Algebra I proficiency is just 7.5% versus 32.3% statewide, and Geometry is similarly low at 19.5%. Middle school math scores also lag, suggesting the problem emerges before high school.

Compared to nearby alternatives in Lincoln County Schools, Huntland is more efficient and generally stronger. It serves far more students than Lincoln Central Academy (51 students) and Lincoln Central Virtual Academy (41 students) while spending much less per student—$12,637 versus $18,335 and $76,185, respectively—and outperforming the virtual academy in nearly every tested subject. Huntland's low absenteeism, high graduation rate, and above-district results in most subjects paint a picture of a school that, despite limited resources and a low-ranking district, delivers solid outcomes for its students.