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Karns Middle School

Q: Is Karns Middle School a good school?

Karns Middle School ranks 251 st of 583 Tennessee middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

251^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 583 Tennessee Middle Schools

Better than 57% of Tennessee middle schools

Summary

Karns Middle School is a public middle school located in Knoxville, Tennessee, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 957 students. The school is part of the Knox County School District, which is ranked 77 out of 139 districts in Tennessee and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Karns Middle School's performance, as measured by TNReady test scores, is generally below the Knox County and Tennessee state averages across most subject areas and grade levels. However, the school performs better than the district and state averages in Algebra I, with 53.2% of students proficient or better, compared to 28.7% for Knox County and 29.4% for Tennessee. The school also faces challenges with higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 20.2% to 21.0% in recent years, which is higher than the state average.

Compared to nearby high-performing schools, such as Farragut Middle School, West Valley Middle School, and Hardin Valley Middle School, Karns Middle School's performance is generally lower. The school may need to implement strategic interventions and focus on improving its core academic areas to better serve its diverse student population and close the achievement gaps.

900

Students ?

15.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,591

Per pupil spending ?

36.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2925 Gray Hendrix RD
Knoxville, TN 37931

(865) 539-7732

District: Knox County

Students who attend Karns Middle School usually attend:

High:

Karns High School

Feeder schools for Karns Middle School:

Elementary:

Karns Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

69.2%

Hispanic:

14.8%

African American:

7.2%

See top rated Tennessee middle schools

Compare Karns Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 88th percentile in 2014 → 57th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Tennessee median (57th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 31 percentile points since 2014

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school41%

District avg46%

Tennessee avg43%

251^st of 583

Tennessee public middle schools ?

Top 43%▼ down 29 pts since 2015

From top 14% (2015) to top 43% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 16Middle Schools in the Knox County

77^th of 139Knox County 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
2025	52.6	251 of 583	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.2	234 of 587	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.5	190 of 594	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.3	151 of 569	73.5%	★★★★☆
2021	58.2	190 of 576	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.1	167 of 574	70.9%	★★★★☆
2018	82.9	53 of 563	90.6%	★★★★★
2017	72.1	64 of 362	82.3%	★★★★☆
2015	78.5	69 of 492	86.0%	★★★★☆
2014	78.1	59 of 485	87.8%	★★★★☆
2013	82.7	41 of 475	91.4%	★★★★★
2012	77.5	95 of 466	79.6%	★★★★☆
2011	75.5	101 of 462	78.1%	★★★★☆
2010	86.5	48 of 435	89.0%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	46.4	140 of 312	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.4	111 of 318	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.0	112 of 316	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.2	96 of 299	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.8	108 of 277	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.0	119 of 293	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	74.6	46 of 284	83.8%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2018	64.9	22 of 58	62.1%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	42.7	50 of 100	50.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	52.7	247 of 546	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.3	231 of 554	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.0	165 of 560	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	65.7	139 of 552	74.8%	★★★★☆
2021	58.2	178 of 538	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.2	166 of 529	68.6%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	42.2	155 of 286	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.5	181 of 285	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.4	170 of 285	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.2	142 of 275	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.8	98 of 261	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.7	82 of 228	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.0	48 of 219	78.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	43.1	275 of 490	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.1	216 of 510	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.8	154 of 514	70.0%	★★★★☆
2022	49.8	215 of 495	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.3	193 of 483	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.2	166 of 490	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.6	94 of 481	80.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	49.4	255 of 550	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.0	239 of 560	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.1	217 of 557	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.3	162 of 540	70.0%	★★★★☆
2021	55.4	189 of 529	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.3	167 of 523	68.1%	★★★☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	29.2	18 of 22	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	9.9	20 of 20	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	50.6	105 of 332	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.5	156 of 299	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.6	102 of 288	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.5	98 of 260	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	33.4	163 of 238	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.2	96 of 222	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.8	75 of 279	73.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	47.4	238 of 492	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.1	233 of 504	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.7	173 of 503	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.0	137 of 500	72.6%	★★★★☆
2021	55.5	180 of 496	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.3	165 of 484	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	78.8	66 of 481	86.3%	★★★★☆

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)

Special Education (2025)68th percentile+11 vs school

Asian (2018)62nd percentile-29 vs school

African American (2025)55th percentile~ school

Female (2025)55th percentile~ school

Male (2025)54th percentile-3 vs school

White (2025)52nd percentile-5 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)50th percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2025)46th percentile-11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)44th percentile-13 vs school

Military Connected (2025)18th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2024-2025) ?

Social Studies58%+9 vs state

Algebra I53%+24 vs state

Science41%-5 vs state

Mathematics32%-10 vs state

English Language Arts30%-9 vs state

★

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Schools Near Karns Middle School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				TNReady Mathematics (2025)					TNReady English Language Arts (2025)					TNReady Algebra I (2025)		TNReady Science (2025)					TNReady Social Studies (2025)				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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	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 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
Karns Middle School	Public	6-8	2925 Gray Hendrix RD	Knoxville	37931	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7732	957	61	15.6		661 (69.1%)	85 (8.9%)	126 (13.2%)	9 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	72 (7.5%)	52.6	251^st of 583 public middle schools	56.9%		55.2	234^th of 587 public middle schools	60.1%	17		40.1	34.5	22.1	32.5		38.0	25.1	27.5	30.1	52.2	53.2		47.3	46.6	27.5	40.8	53.8	64.7	56.0	58.2	$12,591	$831	$11,230
Cedar Bluff Middle School	Public	6-8	707 North Cedar Bluff RD	Knoxville	37923	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7891	547	33	16.8		315 (57.6%)	58 (10.6%)	112 (20.5%)	8 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (0.9%)	48 (8.8%)	53.6	245^th of 583 public middle schools	58.0%		59.6	210^th of 587 public middle schools	64.2%	35		38.1	32.9	19.4	31.1		37.8	31.0	34.7	34.6	74.5	74.5		47.1	50.9	25.7	42.3	39.4	59.0	59.5	52.5	$12,523	$792	$10,984
Powell Middle School	Public	6-8	3329 West Emory RD	Powell	37849	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 938-9008	797	53	15.1		638 (80.1%)	31 (3.9%)	90 (11.3%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.1%)	63.8	183^rd of 583 public middle schools	68.6%		63.4	181^st of 587 public middle schools	69.2%	2		44.6	40.2	34.5	40.3		44.6	32.5	32.4	36.8	93.6	93.6		52.2	59.1	39.1	51.0	55.8	52.6	50.4	53.0	$12,502	$833	$11,044
Bearden Middle School	Public	6-8	1000 Francis RD	Knoxville	37909	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7839	1,243	72	17.1		755 (60.7%)	203 (16.3%)	198 (15.9%)	18 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	66 (5.3%)	65.6	171^st of 583 public middle schools	70.7%		67.4	153^rd of 587 public middle schools	73.9%	18		42.5	43.2	21.3	37.1		49.3	43.6	39.2	44.0	79.8	81.0		52.5	48.9	31.1	45.4	53.4	61.5	53.9	56.5	$12,022	$833	$10,711
Hardin Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	2280 Steele	Knoxville	37932	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 594-1800	1,017	57	17.7		757 (74.4%)	42 (4.1%)	100 (9.8%)	70 (6.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (4.5%)	89.3	46^th of 583 public middle schools	92.1%		87.1	49^th of 587 public middle schools	91.7%	3		63.0	59.2	44.7	57.1		58.7	54.2	44.9	52.8				71.3	72.0	47.4	65.6	70.5	79.5	71.7	73.9	$11,459	$791	$10,254
West Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	9118 George Williams RD	Knoxville	37922	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-5145	1,107	66	16.8		849 (76.7%)	72 (6.5%)	78 (7.0%)	60 (5.4%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (4.1%)	91.9	35^th of 583 public middle schools	94.0%		95.2	21^st of 587 public middle schools	96.4%	14		69.2	71.3	36.2	62.3		61.8	57.6	53.7	57.9				75.0	76.7	49.3	69.7	80.2	75.8	77.7	78.0	$11,581	$862	$10,356
Northwest Middle School	Public	6-8	5301 Pleasant Ridge RD	Knoxville	37912	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 594-1345	808	64	12.5		221 (27.4%)	177 (21.9%)	333 (41.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	72 (8.9%)	16.1	496^th of 583 public middle schools	14.9%		12.8	517^th of 587 public middle schools	11.9%	21		20.6	17.2	9.4	16.0		18.9	13.8	10.6	14.4	66.7	66.7		35.0	26.6	13.2	25.5	28.0	29.1	21.7	26.4	$15,150	$1,988	$12,439
Farragut Middle School	Public	6-8	200 West End AVE	Knoxville	37922	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	No	(865) 966-9756	1,400	78	17.9		1,099 (78.5%)	19 (1.4%)	91 (6.5%)	135 (9.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (3.9%)	96.7	16^th of 583 public middle schools	97.3%		96.2	20^th of 587 public middle schools	96.6%	4		77.0	67.9	71.2	72.0		73.8	63.7	60.9	66.0				79.1	72.3	60.4	71.6	81.1	82.7	82.3	82.0	$10,698	$782	$9,713
Jefferson Middle School	Public	5-8	200 Fairbanks RD	Oak Ridge	37830	Anderson County	Oak Ridge	No	No	No	No	(865) 425-9301	706	58	12.1		492 (69.7%)	47 (6.7%)	78 (11.0%)	20 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	66 (9.3%)	85.1	54^th of 583 public middle schools	90.7%		83.5	67^th of 587 public middle schools	88.6%	13	60.6	63.5	53.4	40.3	55.5	44.7	62.0	39.3	41.5	46.6	92.9	92.9	57.0	69.8	60.7	67.3	63.4	74.2	68.2	64.2	68.8	$15,625	$486	$14,620
Clinton Middle School	Public	6-8	110 N Hicks ST	Clinton	37716	Anderson County	Anderson County	No	No	No	No	(865) 457-3451	613	45	13.6		525 (85.6%)	28 (4.6%)	36 (5.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (3.4%)	44.1	324^th of 583 public middle schools	44.4%		37.2	362^nd of 587 public middle schools	38.3%	38		38.3	33.0	29.2	32.9		32.1	28.3	30.9	30.2	93.8	93.8		38.3	37.6	35.3	36.9	36.9	48.5	40.9	42.9	$13,020	$662	$11,651

Frequently Asked Questions about Karns Middle School

What district is Karns Middle School in?

Knox County

How many students attend Karns Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 900 students attended Karns Middle School.

Is Karns Middle School a good school?

Karns Middle School ranks 251^st of 583 Tennessee middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Karns Middle School attend?

Students who attend Karns Middle School usually go on to attend Karns High School

What is the racial makeup of Karns Middle School?

Students at Karns Middle School are 69% White, 15% Hispanic, 7% African American, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

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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.