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Dobyns - Bennett High School

Q: Is Dobyns - Bennett High School a good school?

Dobyns - Bennett High School ranks 63 rd of 400 Tennessee high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Dobyns - Bennett High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,315 students attended Dobyns - Bennett High School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Dobyns - Bennett High School?

Students at Dobyns - Bennett High School are 77% White, 8% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 5% African American, 2% Asian.

Q: What schools feed into Dobyns - Bennett High School?

Dobyns - Bennett High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Elementary : Andrew Jackson Elementary School Elementary : Andrew Johnson Elementary School Elementary : George Washington Elementary School Elementary : John Adams Elementary School Elementary : John F. Kennedy Elementary School Elementary : Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Elementary : Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Middle : John Sevier Middle School Middle : Ross N. Robinson Middle School

Public Grades 9-12

63^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 400 Tennessee High Schools

Better than 84% of Tennessee high schools

Summary

Dobyns-Bennett High School serves about 2,315 students in grades 9–12 in Kingsport, TN, and is the flagship high school of Kingsport City Schools, a 4-star district ranked 21st out of 141 districts in Tennessee. The school, one of the largest in Northeast Tennessee, has a strong historical record—ranking in the 92nd–97th percentile statewide and earning 5 stars from 2015–16 through 2021–22. In 2025–26, however, it ranked 63rd out of 400 Tennessee high schools (84th percentile), a step down from its 2024–25 rank of 40th, though still solidly in 4-star territory.

Academically, Dobyns-Bennett remains above state averages in most tested subjects. Its standout subject is Algebra II, with 62.4% of students scoring proficient or better versus 37.3% statewide—the second-highest rate among nearby high schools, behind only Science Hill High School. English II is also strong, with 68.7% proficient versus 58.1% statewide. The school's graduation rate of 94.4% exceeds the state average, and its dropout rate of 2.4% is well below the state's 6.7%. However, the competitive landscape has shifted: Science Hill now ranks 26th and Tennessee High School ranks 61st, both ahead of Dobyns-Bennett's 63rd. Science Hill outperforms Dobyns-Bennett on every TNReady subject while spending roughly $1,200 less per student.

The most concerning differentiator is chronic absenteeism. At 30.1% in 2024–25, Dobyns-Bennett has the highest rate among all nearby high schools—well above the district's 24.3% and the state's 18.3%, and nearly double Science Hill's 16.5%. The school also spends more per student ($14,707) than any nearby comparison school, yet does not produce the region's top outcomes. Subgroup effectiveness has slipped across multiple student populations, and the graduation rate showed unusual volatility, dropping to 83.5% in 2023–24 before rebounding. Despite these challenges, Dobyns-Bennett remains a strong regional school—its advanced math results, particularly the 91.7% Algebra II proficiency among 10th graders, show that students who attend regularly perform exceptionally well. Improving attendance and subgroup support could be the most direct levers for returning to elite status.

2,315

Students ?

14.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,707

Per pupil spending ?

21.9%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

1 Tribe Way
Kingsport, TN 37664

(423) 378-8400

District: Kingsport City Schools

Feeder schools for Dobyns - Bennett High School:

Elementary:	Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
	Andrew Jackson Elementary School
	Andrew Johnson Elementary School
	George Washington Elementary School
	More...
	John Adams Elementary School
	John F. Kennedy Elementary School
	Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
	Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Middle:	John Sevier Middle School
	Ross N. Robinson Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

77.3%

Two or more races:

7.8%

Hispanic:

7.7%

See top rated Tennessee high schools

Compare Dobyns - Bennett High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 97th percentile in 2016 → 84th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Tennessee average (52% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 16% of Tennessee high schools

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the Tennessee average (90%)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (30% vs 18% Tennessee)

!Ranking has slipped — down 13 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg54%

Tennessee avg43%

63^rd of 400

Tennessee public high schools ?

Top 16%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 3% (2016) to top 16% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

21^st of 141Kingsport City 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	74.9	63 of 400	84.3%	★★★★☆
2025	82.3	40 of 389	89.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.8	45 of 392	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	76.8	41 of 384	89.3%	★★★★☆
2022	79.1	28 of 358	92.2%	★★★★★
2021	81.8	22 of 347	93.7%	★★★★★
2019	81.7	27 of 342	92.1%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	18 of 341	94.7%	★★★★★
2017	78.5	22 of 273	91.9%	★★★★★
2016	89.2	11 of 351	96.9%	★★★★★
2015	75.7	38 of 300	87.3%	★★★★☆
2014	70.8	50 of 296	83.1%	★★★★☆
2013	75.5	40 of 285	86.0%	★★★★☆
2012	73.1	72 of 269	73.2%	★★★★☆
2011	76.4	49 of 273	82.1%	★★★★☆
2010	87.1	19 of 267	92.9%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	72.0	42 of 230	81.7%	★★★★☆
2025	71.7	42 of 233	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	70.0	44 of 240	81.7%	★★★★☆
2023	47.7	95 of 239	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.5	24 of 222	89.2%	★★★★☆
2021	66.8	30 of 208	85.6%	★★★★☆
2019	78.0	15 of 187	92.0%	★★★★★
2018	72.8	19 of 199	90.5%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	45.9	28 of 48	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	70.0	14 of 47	70.2%	★★★★☆
2023	61.1	18 of 45	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	80.3	5 of 47	89.4%	★★★★★
2021	57.7	18 of 48	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.5	14 of 45	68.9%	★★★★☆
2018	60.8	23 of 47	51.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	79.4	40 of 365	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	77.2	42 of 365	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	74.7	46 of 366	87.4%	★★★★☆
2022	77.2	35 of 350	90.0%	★★★★★
2021	80.9	24 of 340	92.9%	★★★★★
2019	80.5	31 of 337	90.8%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	71.9	42 of 229	81.7%	★★★★☆
2025	84.2	18 of 213	91.5%	★★★★★
2024	88.2	14 of 209	93.3%	★★★★★
2023	78.9	25 of 202	87.6%	★★★★☆
2022	83.6	13 of 189	93.1%	★★★★★
2021	84.5	9 of 180	95.0%	★★★★★
2019	82.8	15 of 153	90.2%	★★★★★
2018	74.9	21 of 159	86.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	60.3	86 of 308	72.1%	★★★★☆
2025	75.9	39 of 324	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	74.8	32 of 337	90.5%	★★★★★
2023	59.4	79 of 330	76.1%	★★★★☆
2022	69.1	48 of 322	85.1%	★★★★☆
2021	75.6	26 of 317	91.8%	★★★★★
2019	80.9	16 of 302	94.7%	★★★★★
2018	79.8	15 of 308	95.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	84.3	34 of 368	90.8%	★★★★★
2024	78.8	42 of 366	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	80.8	32 of 359	91.1%	★★★★★
2022	81.5	24 of 349	93.1%	★★★★★
2021	83.5	17 of 332	94.9%	★★★★★
2019	82.5	28 of 329	91.5%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	51.1	64 of 210	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.9	18 of 198	90.9%	★★★★★
2024	61.8	33 of 183	82.0%	★★★★☆
2023	42.4	74 of 154	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.5	10 of 151	93.4%	★★★★★
2021	79.8	6 of 125	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	68.5	17 of 127	86.6%	★★★★☆
2018	29.3	123 of 159	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	69.0	69 of 330	79.1%	★★★★☆
2025	78.5	44 of 323	86.4%	★★★★☆
2024	75.4	47 of 326	85.6%	★★★★☆
2023	73.0	50 of 325	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	72.3	44 of 312	85.9%	★★★★☆
2021	78.2	29 of 306	90.5%	★★★★★
2019	78.5	35 of 301	88.4%	★★★★☆
2018	81.2	28 of 307	90.9%	★★★★★

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)91st percentile~ school

Female (2025)89th percentile~ school

African American (2026)82nd percentile-3 vs school

Hispanic (2026)82nd percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)79th percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)72nd percentile-12 vs school

Special Education (2026)70th percentile-15 vs school

Asian (2026)42nd percentile-43 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

English II69%+11 vs state

Algebra II62%+25 vs state

Biology I58%+8 vs state

US History52%+9 vs state

Geometry51%+8 vs state

English I43%+6 vs state

Algebra I34%~ state avg

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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by a parent
Sunday, May 24, 2026

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Schools Near Dobyns - Bennett High School

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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 Algebra II (2026)					TNReady Biology I (2026)					TNReady US History (2026)					TNReady English I (2026)				TNReady English II (2026)					TNReady Geometry (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	Directly certified (2024-25)	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 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	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 9th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 10th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 11th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 12th Grade	TNReady Algebra I All Grades	TNReady Algebra II 9th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 10th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 11th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 12th Grade	TNReady Algebra II All Grades	TNReady Biology I 9th Grade	TNReady Biology I 10th Grade	TNReady Biology I 11th Grade	TNReady Biology I 12th Grade	TNReady Biology I All Grades	TNReady US History 9th Grade	TNReady US History 10th Grade	TNReady US History 11th Grade	TNReady US History 12th Grade	TNReady US History All Grades	TNReady English I 9th Grade	TNReady English I 10th Grade	TNReady English I 11th Grade	TNReady English I All Grades	TNReady English II 9th Grade	TNReady English II 10th Grade	TNReady English II 11th Grade	TNReady English II 12th Grade	TNReady English II All Grades	TNReady Geometry 9th Grade	TNReady Geometry 10th Grade	TNReady Geometry 11th Grade	TNReady Geometry 12th Grade	TNReady Geometry All Grades	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
Dobyns - Bennett High School	Public	9-12	1 Tribe Way	Kingsport	37664	Sullivan County	Kingsport City Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 378-8400	2,351	166	14.1	21.9%	1,833 (78.0%)	125 (5.3%)	181 (7.7%)	48 (2.0%)	11 (0.5%)	3 (0.1%)	150 (6.4%)	74.9	63^rd of 400 public high schools	84.3%		82.3	40^th of 389 public high schools	89.7%	23									40.7	6.6			34.1	≥ 95%	91.7	52.3	40.0	62.4	88.8	36.6	19.3		58.1			51.0	60.9	51.7	43.6	18.8		43.0		70.3	14.3		68.7	≥ 95%	58.8	17.4	7.0	50.6									$14,707	$810	$13,250
West Ridge High School	Public	9-12	380 Lynn Road	Blountville	37617	Sullivan County	Sullivan County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 354-1450	1,636	101	16.1	19.6%	1,530 (93.5%)	12 (0.7%)	51 (3.1%)	6 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	35 (2.1%)	54.1	165^th of 400 public high schools	58.8%		50.7	174^th of 389 public high schools	55.3%	9									32.1				31.9	94.8	32.0	17.0		39.5	50.0	25.3	30.0		42.9			40.6		42.1	35.2			35.2		62.5			62.0		69.0	41.0		46.9									$12,582	$779	$11,282
Daniel Boone High School	Public	9-12	1440 Suncrest Drive	Gray	37615	Washington County	Washington County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 477-1600	1,146	84	13.5	11.4%	1,063 (92.8%)	14 (1.2%)	38 (3.3%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	25 (2.2%)	60.2	124^th of 400 public high schools	69.0%		60.3	122^nd of 389 public high schools	68.6%	2									22.8				23.0	87.5	83.3	30.1		41.7	91.7	33.1	10.0		46.7			54.7		55.6	43.0			42.7		67.7			65.9		35.1			35.9									$12,817	$612	$11,699
Volunteer High School	Public	9-12	1050 Volunteer Boulevard	Church Hill	37642	Hawkins County	Hawkins County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 357-3641	1,007	77	13.0	22.1%	919 (91.3%)	7 (0.7%)	42 (4.2%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (3.4%)	30.7	283^rd of 400 public high schools	29.3%		39.8	222^nd of 389 public high schools	42.9%	61									19.9	< 5%			17.1			16.0	7.1	17.0	42.5	23.8			37.2						30.3			30.3		49.8			48.8		24.7	10.0		24.3									$12,441	$698	$11,113
Washington County Adult High School	Public	9-12	2002 Indian Ridge Road	Johnson City	37601	Washington County	Washington County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 434-4900	0			—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Science Hill High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	1509 John Exum Parkway	Johnson City	37604	Washington County	Johnson City Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(423) 232-2190	2,423	158	15.3	32.6%	1,612 (66.5%)	207 (8.5%)	348 (14.4%)	74 (3.1%)	3 (0.1%)	1 (0.0%)	178 (7.3%)	87.1	26^th of 400 public high schools	93.5%		87.8	27^th of 389 public high schools	93.1%	1									53.1	5.9			49.7	≥ 95%	≥ 95%	60.3	10.5	69.9	74.9	40.0			71.1			63.7	46.2	63.7	60.3			60.6		79.0			78.5	≥ 95%	61.8	16.7		67.4									$13,510	$388	$12,750
Sullivan East High School	Public	9-12	4180 Weaver Pike	Bluff City	37618	Sullivan County	Sullivan County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 354-1900	827	60	13.7	20.3%	770 (93.1%)	5 (0.6%)	34 (4.1%)	7 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.3%)	36.1	260^th of 400 public high schools	35.0%		32.5	266^th of 389 public high schools	31.6%	6									16.3				15.6		24.4	5.9		23.4	49.1	11.5			31.6			34.0		33.8	33.0			32.4		55.9			55.9		30.8	31.5		32.0									$14,237	$1,163	$12,345
David Crockett High School	Public	9-12	684 Old State Route 34	Jonesborough	37659	Washington County	Washington County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 753-1150	1,164	74	15.6	14.9%	1,054 (90.5%)	16 (1.4%)	49 (4.2%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (3.3%)	42.4	235^th of 400 public high schools	41.3%		45.9	192^nd of 389 public high schools	50.6%	43									23.0				22.4	≥ 95%	79.5	14.2	< 5%	30.8	40.6	32.0	20.0		35.0			33.9	33.3	34.3	38.6			38.4		63.1			62.7	81.4	32.9	5.3		38.0									$12,535	$666	$11,162
Tennessee High School	Public	9-12	1112 Edgemont Avenue	Bristol	37620	Sullivan County	Bristol City Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 652-9494	1,179	73	16.2	16.8%	1,025 (86.9%)	27 (2.3%)	57 (4.8%)	15 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (4.7%)	75.4	61^st of 400 public high schools	84.8%		72.6	66^th of 389 public high schools	83.0%	5									37.3	6.7			35.6		≥ 95%	45.0	8.3	46.9	≥ 95%	43.4	47.1		57.1			61.1		61.2	51.3			50.4		60.4			59.6	92.3	50.4	5.6		51.4									$13,543	$438	$12,444
Tennessee Online Public School	Public, Virtual	6-12	615 MLK Jr. Boulevard	Bristol	37620	Sullivan County	Bristol City Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(423) 652-9209	243	15	15.7	15.5%	204 (84.0%)	12 (4.9%)	12 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.2%)	60.3	122^nd of 400 public high schools	69.5%		64.6	99^th of 389 public high schools	74.6%	23	16.7	47.6	10.7	24.6	41.7	55.0	17.9	35.0	19.0				19.0			22.9		25.0		58.6			61.5			48.3		46.2	56.5			56.5		78.0			78.6		18.2			24.4	50.0	50.0	42.9	46.7	25.0	50.0	42.9	41.7	$8,787	$301	$8,485

Frequently Asked Questions about Dobyns - Bennett High School

What district is Dobyns - Bennett High School in?

Kingsport City Schools

What is the racial makeup of Dobyns - Bennett High School?

Students at Dobyns - Bennett High School are 77% White, 8% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 5% African American, 2% Asian.

Is Dobyns - Bennett High School a good school?

Dobyns - Bennett High School ranks 63^rd of 400 Tennessee high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Dobyns - Bennett High School?

Dobyns - Bennett High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary : Andrew Jackson Elementary School
Elementary : Andrew Johnson Elementary School
Elementary : George Washington Elementary School
Elementary : John Adams Elementary School
Elementary : John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Elementary : Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Elementary : Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Middle : John Sevier Middle School
Middle : Ross N. Robinson Middle School

How many students attend Dobyns - Bennett High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,315 students attended Dobyns - Bennett High School.

Rate Dobyns - Bennett High School!

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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.