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Richard Yoakley School

Q: Is Richard Yoakley School a good school?

Richard Yoakley School ranks in the bottom 0.0% of Tennessee high schools.

Q: How many students attend Richard Yoakley School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 81 students attended Richard Yoakley School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Richard Yoakley School?

Students at Richard Yoakley School are 40% White, 35% African American, 15% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races.

Public Grades 6-12

400^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 400 Tennessee High Schools

Better than 0% of Tennessee high schools

Summary

Richard Yoakley School is a small public school in Knoxville, TN, serving 81 students in grades 6 through 12 as part of Knox County Schools. The school operates with an unusually small student body and a student–teacher ratio of about 5.5 to 1, which reflects its role as a high-support alternative environment for students who have struggled in traditional school settings.

The most striking feature of Richard Yoakley is the dramatic gap between resources and outcomes. The school spends $46,952 per student — roughly four times what nearby comprehensive high schools like West High School ($12,616) or Gibbs High School ($13,296) spend — yet it ranked 400th out of 400 Tennessee high schools in 2025–2026. Proficiency rates are extremely low: just 13.6% of students scored proficient in Biology I, 9.5% in English II, and 6.3% in US History. Chronic absenteeism is likely the biggest barrier, with 63.4% of students missing significant school time — more than three times the district average of 19.4% and the highest among all nearby schools.

While comparisons to other schools are stark, context matters. L&N STEM Academy, the highest-performing nearby school, spends about one-quarter as much per student and posts proficiency rates above 90%, but it serves a very different student population. Among alternative schools, Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy shows a similar pattern of high spending, low test scores, and high absenteeism — though less extreme. No graduation or dropout data are reported for Richard Yoakley, so it is difficult to assess whether the school is successfully helping students earn diplomas despite low test scores. For parents considering this school, the central takeaway is that it serves students with very high needs, invests heavily in them, but faces a severe attendance challenge that continues to limit academic progress.

Students ?

5.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$46,952

Per pupil spending ?

42.0%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

4415 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 594-3790

District: Knox County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.5%

African American:

34.6%

Hispanic:

14.8%

See top rated Tennessee high schools

Compare Richard Yoakley School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 17th percentile in 2022 → <1st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 6 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Tennessee average (10% vs 44% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (<1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (63% vs 18% Tennessee)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school10%

District avg48%

Tennessee avg44%

400^th of 400

Tennessee public high schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 17 pts since 2022

From bottom 17% (2022) to bottom 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

17^th of 17High Schools in the Knox County Schools

78^th of 141Knox 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	3.6	400 of 400	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	12.8	355 of 389	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.4	385 of 392	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.2	369 of 384	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	20.1	297 of 358	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2023	6.4	354 of 359	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.7	332 of 349	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2023	8.4	320 of 325	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

White (2023)2nd percentile~ school

Male (2023)1st percentile-3 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Biology I14%-36 vs state

English II10%-49 vs state

US History6%-36 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Sunday, July 13, 2025

RYS is an alternative school for kids that are suspended from their base school. With that being said the staff there are extremely caring and show support for the students when most outside of RYS have given up on them. The students are cared about. Close Quote

Schools Near Richard Yoakley 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 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	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 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 12th Grade	TNReady English I All Grades	TNReady English II 10th Grade	TNReady English II 11th Grade	TNReady English II 12th Grade	TNReady English II All Grades	TNReady Geometry 8th Grade	TNReady Geometry 9th Grade	TNReady Geometry 10th Grade	TNReady Geometry 11th Grade	TNReady Geometry 12th Grade	TNReady Geometry All Grades	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	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
Richard Yoakley School	Public	6-12	4415 Washington Pike	Knoxville	37917	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 594-3790	105	19	5.5	42.0%	46 (43.8%)	34 (32.4%)	17 (16.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (7.6%)	3.6	400^th of 400 public high schools	0.0%		12.8	355^th of 389 public high schools	8.7%	45	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%				< 5%			< 5%		< 5%			9.1		13.6		< 5%		6.3	< 5%				< 5%	5.3			9.5			< 5%			< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	< 5%	$46,952	$2,986	$43,119
Austin East High/Magnet School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2800 M L King Jr Avenue	Knoxville	37914	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(865) 594-3792	666	64	10.3	49.3%	59 (8.9%)	490 (73.6%)	73 (11.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	41 (6.2%)	8.4	384^th of 400 public high schools	4.0%		9.4	372^nd of 389 public high schools	4.4%	12							5.6	7.1			6.4		21.4	5.2		6.4		12.6	9.1		13.7		12.6		13.8	6.8				6.8	30.2	10.0		28.7			12.0	< 5%		11.3							$19,014	$2,168	$16,285
Central High School	Public	9-12	5321 Jacksboro Pike	Knoxville	37918	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 689-1400	1,296	86	15.0	22.8%	707 (54.6%)	223 (17.2%)	257 (19.8%)	16 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (7.0%)	47.2	202^nd of 400 public high schools	49.5%		43.1	205^th of 389 public high schools	47.3%	3							12.2	< 5%			11.2		91.1	27.0	< 5%	37.7		69.9	40.3		48.5		34.6		34.4	39.4	< 5%			37.5	57.2	< 5%		52.8		≥ 95%	26.8	9.1		33.3							$13,026	$718	$11,854
Fulton High School	Public	9-12	2509 North Broadway	Knoxville	37917	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 594-1240	927	74	12.6	37.8%	217 (23.4%)	289 (31.2%)	355 (38.3%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (6.7%)	12.4	363^rd of 400 public high schools	9.3%		13.4	352^nd of 389 public high schools	9.5%	11							5.5	< 5%			5.1		30.0	< 5%	5.6	5.1			21.4		11.1		13.3		13.2	15.7				15.5	38.8	< 5%		31.8		76.9	9.0	< 5%		11.6							$15,766	$1,492	$13,732
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy	Public	9-12	535 Chickamauga Avenue Avenue	Knoxville	37917	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 525-0069	72	10	7.2	27.4%	39 (54.2%)	20 (27.8%)	10 (13.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.2%)	6.9	391^st of 400 public high schools	2.3%					(n/a)														< 5%	< 5%	< 5%			< 5%	10.0	6.1		5.9		< 5%			< 5%		< 5%								< 5%		< 5%							$34,515	$1,011	$33,156
Tennessee School for the Deaf High School	Public	9-12	2725 Island Home Boulevard	Knoxville	37920	Knox County	Tennessee Schools for the Deaf	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 440-8195	63	20	3.1	13.3%	19 (30.2%)	20 (31.7%)	12 (19.0%)	7 (11.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.6%)	4 (6.3%)								(n/a)
L N STEM Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	800 World's Fair Park Drive	Knoxville	37902	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(865) 329-8440	581	33	17.4	4.6%	457 (78.7%)	28 (4.8%)	39 (6.7%)	27 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.2%)	98.2	3^rd of 400 public high schools	99.3%		89.2	23^rd of 389 public high schools	94.1%	20							54.0				54.7		≥ 95%	56.2		77.5		≥ 95%	85.9		92.6		88.6		88.6	83.4				83.6	93.0			93.1		≥ 95%	64.1			83.4							$12,335	$744	$11,269
Halls High School	Public	9-12	4321 East Emory Road	Knoxville	37938	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 922-7757	1,252	72	17.3	11.1%	1,034 (82.6%)	25 (2.0%)	147 (11.7%)	13 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (2.6%)	43.2	228^th of 400 public high schools	43.0%		41.9	210^th of 389 public high schools	46.0%	18							13.1	< 5%			11.8		75.3	14.1	< 5%	29.9	81.2				75.6		46.2		46.3	40.7				40.2	50.7	33.3		49.8		91.8	13.8	< 5%		31.3							$12,421	$795	$11,320
Career Magnet Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	7201 Strawberry Plains PIKE	Knoxville	37914	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(865) 594-1731	347	16	22.2	18.1%	202 (58.2%)	58 (16.7%)	53 (15.3%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.8%)	60.1	126^th of 400 public high schools	68.5%		60.7	116^th of 389 public high schools	70.2%	10							21.4				21.1		48.8	23.6		34.7	63.5				65.9		36.4		41.2	60.5				59.8	83.8			82.6		86.2	27.1			44.4							$11,973	$674	$10,970
West High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3300 Sutherland Avenue	Knoxville	37919	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(865) 594-4477	1,509	88	17.0	17.2%	876 (58.1%)	312 (20.7%)	196 (13.0%)	34 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.3%)	86 (5.7%)	60.2	125^th of 400 public high schools	68.8%		62.6	108^th of 389 public high schools	72.2%	17							11.7	< 5%			10.7		89.0	17.1	9.1	44.7	83.8	70.4	29.4	10.0	61.7		49.3		49.1	56.0				54.8	67.9			65.9		≥ 95%	26.4	7.7		48.4							$12,616	$827	$11,481

Frequently Asked Questions about Richard Yoakley School

Is Richard Yoakley School a good school?

Richard Yoakley School ranks in the bottom 0.0% of Tennessee high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Richard Yoakley School?

Students at Richard Yoakley School are 40% White, 35% African American, 15% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races.

How many students attend Richard Yoakley School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 81 students attended Richard Yoakley School.

What district is Richard Yoakley School in?

Knox County Schools

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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.