Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Nolan Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

7^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 99% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Nolan Elementary School is a PK–5 public school in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, serving 729 students as part of Hamilton County Schools, and it has earned a 5-star rating every year since at least 2014–2015, making it one of the highest-performing elementary schools in the state. In the most recent 2025–2026 rankings, Nolan placed 7th out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary schools, putting it in the top 1% statewide. This is not a one-year fluke: the school has ranked between 5th and 26th in Tennessee every year for the past decade, with recent rankings of 5th, 8th, 7th, and 6th. Even within a district that ranks in the lower half of Tennessee, Nolan stands out as a dramatic academic outlier.

Nolan's test scores are roughly double the district and state proficiency averages. In 2025–2026, 87.5% of Nolan students were proficient in math, 86.5% in English Language Arts, and 86.2% in science, versus district averages of 40.0%, 38.3%, and 46.6%. This strength holds across all grade levels, with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders all scoring between 80% and 92% proficient in every subject. The school's special education program is a particular standout, ranking 4th in the state in 2025–2026. Chronic absenteeism is also remarkably low at just 5.7%, compared to 21.1% districtwide and 20.2% statewide, a factor closely tied to sustained academic success.

The contrast with nearby schools is striking. Thrasher Elementary School, just 2 miles away, is similarly excellent, ranking 14th statewide with comparable proficiency rates. However, other Hamilton County schools within a few miles face far greater challenges: Hixson Elementary School ranks 900th in the state with 21.6% math proficiency, and DuPont Elementary School ranks 913th with 19.8% math proficiency. Notably, Nolan achieves its superior results with lower per-pupil spending ($15,617) than several of these lower-performing neighboring schools, pointing to an efficient and high-functioning school environment.

729

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,617

Per pupil spending ?

8.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4435 Shackleford Ridge Road
Signal Mountain, TN 37377

(423) 886-0898

District: Hamilton County Schools

Students who attend Nolan Elementary School usually attend:

High:	Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper
	Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State
	Sequoyah High School
	Signal Mountain Middle/High School
	More...
	STEM School Chattanooga

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.3%

Hispanic:

5.1%

Two or more races:

4.7%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Nolan Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 97th percentile in 2015 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Tennessee average (87% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Tennessee elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Hamilton County Schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school87%

District avg42%

Tennessee avg43%

7^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 1 pts since 2017

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 42Elementary Schools in the Hamilton County Schools

81^st of 141Hamilton County Schools among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	98.7	7 of 1019	99.3%	★★★★★
2025	98.9	5 of 1009	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	99.0	8 of 1018	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	99.2	7 of 1020	99.3%	★★★★★
2022	99.3	6 of 1000	99.4%	★★★★★
2021	98.6	17 of 983	98.3%	★★★★★
2019	98.5	20 of 985	98.0%	★★★★★
2018	98.1	26 of 997	97.4%	★★★★★
2017	92.2	12 of 646	98.1%	★★★★★
2015	94.8	23 of 855	97.3%	★★★★★
2014	90.6	31 of 853	96.4%	★★★★★
2013	95.3	15 of 846	98.2%	★★★★★
2012	98.2	14 of 820	98.3%	★★★★★
2011	97.1	24 of 818	97.1%	★★★★★
2010	98.7	16 of 809	98.0%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	47 of 65	27.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	98.4	5 of 986	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	98.9	6 of 990	99.4%	★★★★★
2023	99.0	5 of 989	99.5%	★★★★★
2022	98.9	8 of 975	99.2%	★★★★★
2021	98.1	18 of 945	98.1%	★★★★★
2019	97.0	26 of 926	97.2%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2018	85.1	45 of 877	94.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	98.5	4 of 984	99.6%	★★★★★
2024	98.3	9 of 991	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	98.6	8 of 987	99.2%	★★★★★
2022	99.1	9 of 980	99.1%	★★★★★
2021	98.2	15 of 941	98.4%	★★★★★
2019	98.8	12 of 916	98.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	99.7	4 of 641	99.4%	★★★★★
2025	98.6	10 of 618	98.4%	★★★★★
2024	95.3	13 of 582	97.8%	★★★★★
2023	91.8	21 of 528	96.0%	★★★★★
2022	100.0	1 of 447	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	96.7	11 of 369	97.0%	★★★★★
2019	79.4	25 of 255	90.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	97.6	7 of 849	99.2%	★★★★★
2025	97.7	6 of 840	99.3%	★★★★★
2024	98.0	7 of 847	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	98.2	10 of 852	98.8%	★★★★★
2022	98.4	10 of 844	98.8%	★★★★★
2021	97.4	21 of 844	97.5%	★★★★★
2019	97.6	16 of 812	98.0%	★★★★★
2018	97.0	27 of 841	96.8%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2025)100th percentile~ school

Female (2025)99th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)99th percentile~ school

White (2026)99th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2018)95th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2026)28th percentile-72 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics88%+44 vs state

English Language Arts86%+46 vs state

Science86%+39 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Nolan Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a student
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

I love this school i use to go there Close Quote

Schools Near Nolan Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)							TNReady English Language Arts (2026)							TNReady Algebra I (2026)		TNReady Science (2026)							TNReady Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2016)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Algebra I 8th Grade	TNReady Algebra I All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Nolan Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4435 Shackleford Ridge Road	Signal Mountain	37377	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 886-0898	727	42	17.4	12.0%	645 (88.7%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.1%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (3.9%)	98.7	7^th of 1019 public elementary schools	99.3%		98.9	5^th of 1009 public elementary schools	99.5%	2	85.6	91.7	85.1				87.5	89.8	90.2	80.0				86.5			88.1	88.6	82.1				86.2					$15,617	$730	$14,413
Thrasher Elementary School	Public	K-5	1301 James Boulevard	Signal Mtn	37377	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 886-0882	595	32	18.5	9.5%	539 (90.6%)	5 (0.8%)	25 (4.2%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.9%)	98.2	14^th of 1019 public elementary schools	98.6%		98.5	8^th of 1009 public elementary schools	99.2%	6	82.0	91.0	92.2				88.5	89.0	79.8	77.5				82.0			85.0	83.3	≥ 95%				88.0					$16,136	$834	$14,811
Red Bank Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1100 Mountain Creek Road	Chattanooga	37405	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 874-1917	610	37	16.4	79.7%	311 (51.0%)	112 (18.4%)	109 (17.9%)	19 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	56 (9.2%)	30.4	749^th of 1019 public elementary schools	26.5%		30.1	736^th of 1009 public elementary schools	27.1%	13	16.5	31.3	41.0				29.2	31.9	32.4	32.1				32.1			45.1	39.3	35.9				40.2					$18,050	$1,339	$15,904
Alpine Crest Elementary School	Public	K-5	4700 Stagg Road	Chattanooga	37415	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 874-1921	301	24	12.8	73.7%	167 (55.5%)	44 (14.6%)	61 (20.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (8.6%)	56.8	416^th of 1019 public elementary schools	59.2%		42.5	578^th of 1009 public elementary schools	42.7%	162	47.7	30.0	69.7				46.5	43.2	42.9	60.6				47.6			40.9	50.0	66.7				51.2					$18,551	$694	$16,996
Rivermont Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3330 Hixson Pike	Chattanooga	37415	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 870-0610	383	26	15.0	83.3%	168 (43.9%)	105 (27.4%)	47 (12.3%)	6 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (14.9%)	55.6	429^th of 1019 public elementary schools	57.9%		35.8	666^th of 1009 public elementary schools	34.0%	237	22.2	45.5	50.0				40.0	45.7	47.7	37.5				43.2			48.9	56.8	62.5				56.6					$19,191	$925	$17,408
Hixson Elementary School	Public	K-5	5950 Winding Ln	Hixson	37343	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 870-0621	418	29	14.5	82.6%	179 (42.8%)	59 (14.1%)	126 (30.1%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (12.0%)	14.1	900^th of 1019 public elementary schools	11.7%		29.3	747^th of 1009 public elementary schools	26.0%	153	14.8	18.8	30.4				21.6	16.4	31.4	16.2				21.6			24.6	25.7	27.5				26.0					$20,386	$927	$18,550
Normal Park Museum Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1219 West Mississippi Avenue	Chattanooga	37405	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(423) 498-6880	801	53	15.1	21.7%	542 (67.7%)	132 (16.5%)	46 (5.7%)	9 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (9.0%)	83.8	127^th of 1019 public elementary schools	87.5%		82.5	137^th of 1009 public elementary schools	86.4%	10	56.6	73.5	69.2	40.9	39.1	46.2	55.7	67.7	75.2	64.8	38.0	49.4	51.4	58.7	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	66.7	73.5	74.1	58.7	65.5	74.3	68.8	61.5	78.2	67.1	69.0	$16,394	$590	$15,319
DuPont Elementary School	Public	K-5	4134 Hixson Pike	Chattanooga	37415	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 870-0615	249	21	11.8	85.2%	87 (34.9%)	55 (22.1%)	70 (28.1%)	4 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (13.3%)	12.7	913^th of 1019 public elementary schools	10.4%		14.8	890^th of 1009 public elementary schools	11.8%	23	27.3	18.6	14.3				19.8	27.3	16.3	17.1				19.8			30.3	23.3	22.9				25.2					$19,249	$1,308	$17,142
Lookout Valley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	701 Browns Ferry Road	Chattanooga	37419	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 825-7370	261	19	14.1	70.3%	190 (72.8%)	21 (8.0%)	22 (8.4%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.2%)	57.1	413^th of 1019 public elementary schools	59.5%		41.8	588^th of 1009 public elementary schools	41.7%	175	48.8	61.8	37.5				51.6	48.8	49.1	30.3				44.2			56.1	52.7	31.3				48.4					$21,196	$1,263	$18,995
Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Lower	Public, Magnet	K-5	865 East 3rd Street	Chattanooga	37403	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(423) 498-6845	388	25	15.3	23.5%	224 (57.7%)	96 (24.7%)	20 (5.2%)	25 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.9%)	83.9	125^th of 1019 public elementary schools	87.7%		84.3	127^th of 1009 public elementary schools	87.4%	2	50.0	63.0	62.2				58.8	59.4	63.0	64.4				62.4			62.5	75.3	68.9				69.2					$16,393	$798	$15,570

Frequently Asked Questions about Nolan Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Nolan Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Nolan Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper
High : Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State
High : Sequoyah High School
High : Signal Mountain Middle/High School
High : STEM School Chattanooga

What is the racial makeup of Nolan Elementary School?

Students at Nolan Elementary School are 89% White, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Nolan Elementary School in?

Hamilton County Schools

Is Nolan Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Nolan Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 7^th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools.

How many students attend Nolan Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 729 students attended Nolan Elementary School.

Rate Nolan Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

TNTennessee Elementary School Rankings

TNTennessee District Rankings

Schools in Signal Mountain, TN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Nolan Elementary School!

Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.