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

E K Baker Elementary School

Q: Is E K Baker Elementary School a good school?

E K Baker Elementary School ranks 225 th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-8

225^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 78% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

E K Baker Elementary School is a small PK–8 school in Athens, Tennessee, serving 307 students within the McMinn County Schools district, and it has become the highest-ranked elementary school in the surrounding area. The school currently ranks 225th out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary and middle schools, placing it in the 78th percentile with a 4-star rating. That's a remarkable turnaround: as recently as 2018–2019, E K Baker sat in the 16th percentile, meaning it has climbed 62 percentile points in roughly six testing years. Among nearby schools, it leads the pack—well ahead of Riceville Elementary (73rd percentile), Englewood Elementary (48th), Rogers Creek Elementary (34th), and Niota Elementary (27th).

One of the school's standout strengths is its work with economically disadvantaged students. E K Baker ranks in the 90th percentile statewide for low-income students, earning a 5-star rating for that subgroup—a rare sign that the school is serving its most vulnerable learners exceptionally well. The early grades are especially strong: 3rd grade math proficiency is 70% compared to the state average of 42.6%, and 3rd grade ELA is 72.5% versus the state's 44.9%. The school also spends significantly more per student ($15,344) than most nearby schools, including Meigs North Elementary ($12,435) and Athens City Intermediate School ($12,609), which may help explain its rapid improvement.

However, there are real challenges. While grades PK–6 consistently beat district and state averages, 7th and 8th grade performance drops sharply—8th grade ELA proficiency is just 10.5% versus the state's 32.3%. There is also a significant gender gap, with female students scoring in the 80th percentile and male students in the 48th. Chronic absenteeism sits at 17.2%, above the district average. If E K Baker can transfer its early-grade success to the middle grades, it has the potential to become a top-tier school across all grade levels.

307

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,344

Per pupil spending ?

71.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1044 Co 172 Road
Athens, TN 37303

(423) 745-2760

District: McMinn County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.3%

Hispanic:

6.2%

Two or more races:

4.2%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare E K Baker Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 61st percentile in 2014 → 78th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 22% of Tennessee elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2014

✓Among the top-ranked schools in McMinn County Schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg44%

Tennessee avg45%

Elementary school

225^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Top 22%▲ up 45 pts since 2018

From bottom 32% (2018) to top 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

353^rd of 594

Tennessee public middle schools ?

Bottom 41%▲ up 4 pts since 2017

From bottom 36% (2017) to bottom 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 7Elementary Schools in the McMinn County Schools

69^th of 141McMinn 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	72.2	225 of 1019	77.9%	★★★★☆
2025	65.6	289 of 1009	71.4%	★★★★☆
2024	49.8	474 of 1018	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	38.7	625 of 1020	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.5	596 of 1000	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.2	675 of 983	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	20.7	827 of 985	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.2	673 of 997	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	54.5	412 of 855	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	57.4	335 of 853	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	54.8	475 of 846	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2012	69.0	260 of 820	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	36.9	580 of 818	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	57.5	355 of 809	56.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	74.3	198 of 986	79.9%	★★★★☆
2024	54.1	394 of 990	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.1	546 of 989	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.6	573 of 975	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.5	659 of 945	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.2	719 of 926	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	79.8	83 of 823	89.9%	★★★★★
2025	60.9	254 of 843	69.9%	★★★★☆
2024	49.4	398 of 853	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.2	314 of 865	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.1	395 of 858	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	29.6	604 of 823	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.3	594 of 821	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	37.4	577 of 877	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	47.3	509 of 984	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.8	547 of 991	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.8	616 of 987	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.8	555 of 980	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.1	607 of 941	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	18.3	805 of 916	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2022	58.9	122 of 447	72.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	268 of 849	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.6	330 of 840	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	37.4	535 of 847	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.0	661 of 852	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.5	653 of 844	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.7	719 of 844	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.7	774 of 812	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	20.9	745 of 841	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	41.6	353 of 594	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	38.6	365 of 583	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.2	386 of 587	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.3	444 of 594	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.0	400 of 569	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	33.9	367 of 576	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.4	385 of 574	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.2	375 of 563	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2017	44.2	231 of 362	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	44.5	328 of 492	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2014	59.0	194 of 485	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.5	202 of 475	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.8	189 of 466	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.6	225 of 462	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	20.5	382 of 435	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	37.4	347 of 546	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.5	401 of 554	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.8	424 of 560	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.8	328 of 552	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.8	298 of 538	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.7	285 of 529	46.1%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	63.9	135 of 478	71.8%	★★★★☆
2025	39.8	302 of 490	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.0	280 of 510	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.9	256 of 514	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	28.6	365 of 495	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.0	278 of 483	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.1	247 of 490	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.3	314 of 481	34.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	41.0	330 of 550	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.5	332 of 560	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.4	400 of 557	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.6	383 of 540	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	30.3	365 of 529	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	25.9	402 of 523	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	29.8	368 of 494	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.1	379 of 492	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	410 of 504	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.1	450 of 503	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.6	425 of 500	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.2	401 of 496	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.6	410 of 484	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.4	396 of 481	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)90th percentile+12 vs school

Female (2025)80th percentile+9 vs school

Special Education (2022)73rd percentile+32 vs school

White (2026)68th percentile-9 vs school

Male (2025)48th percentile-23 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)72nd percentile+31 vs school

Male (2025)40th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2025)36th percentile~ school

White (2026)26th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics51%+8 vs state

Science46%~ state avg

Social Studies45%-6 vs state

English Language Arts43%~ state avg

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate E K Baker 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 parent
Wednesday, December 7, 2011

My child recently transferred to E.K. Baker Elementary. I am very pleased with the curriculum as well as the teachers. My child loves going to school, and comes home every day telling my husband and I the new things she is learning. Close Quote

Schools Near E K Baker 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 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	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 Geometry 8th Grade	TNReady Geometry 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
E K Baker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	1044 Co 172 Road	Athens	37303	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 745-2760	322	23	13.8	71.8%	282 (87.6%)	7 (2.2%)	14 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.6%)	72.2	225^th of 1019 public elementary schools	77.9%		65.6	289^th of 1009 public elementary schools	71.4%	64	70.0	54.8	59.3	48.3	38.5	31.6	50.8	72.5	38.7	65.4	44.8	23.1	10.5	42.6					67.5	51.6	48.1	41.4	34.6	28.9	46.1	55.2	57.7	28.9	45.2	$15,344	$1,165	$13,091
Niota Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	418 Burn Road	Niota	37826	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 568-2247	549	36	15.2	75.2%	472 (86.0%)	13 (2.4%)	30 (5.5%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.1%)	30.4	747^th of 1019 public elementary schools	26.7%		34.7	682^nd of 1009 public elementary schools	32.4%	65	39.1	49.0	31.9	20.0	25.0	28.9	31.6	39.1	30.6	23.4	20.0	30.0	15.6	26.4					41.3	46.9	40.4	31.7	36.7	28.9	37.5	15.0	48.3	37.8	33.3	$12,603	$1,205	$10,387
Athens City Intermediate School	Public	3-5	255 Keith Lane	Athens	37303	McMinn County	Athens City Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(423) 745-2863	577	32	18.1		408 (70.7%)	31 (5.4%)	72 (12.5%)	12 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (9.2%)	63.3	325^th of 1019 public elementary schools	68.1%		56.3	405^th of 1009 public elementary schools	59.9%	80	49.0	60.8	51.8				54.3	40.1	50.5	44.0				45.3					53.1	57.5	47.6				52.9					$12,609	$1,123	$10,534
Athens City Primary School	Public	PK, KG-2	316 McMinn Avenue	Athens	37303	McMinn County	Athens City Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(423) 745-2863	733	45	16.3		496 (67.7%)	54 (7.4%)	101 (13.8%)	17 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (8.9%)								(n/a)																														$13,515	$1,116	$11,375
Rogers Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	137 County Road 82	Athens	37303	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 745-2123	278	21	13.2	62.4%	247 (88.8%)	7 (2.5%)	13 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.2%)	36.9	673^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	34.0%		48.8	503^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	50.1%	170	38.7	57.1	36.4	40.0	43.8	37.8	41.9	38.7	50.0	21.2	24.0	34.4	35.1	33.9					33.3	48.1	27.3	36.0	43.8	29.7	35.9	20.0	53.1	51.4	43.6	$15,153	$1,237	$12,526
Meigs North Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	22015 State Highway 58 N	Decatur	37322	Meigs County	Meigs County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 334-5454	446	31	14.2	77.7%	419 (93.9%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.6%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.8%)	43	594^th of 1019 public elementary schools	41.7%		53	450^th of 1009 public elementary schools	55.4%	144	40.0	43.1	27.7				37.2	24.3	51.4	33.8				36.7					40.0	58.3	41.5				46.9					$12,435	$1,377	$10,193
Riceville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	3592 Hwy 11 South	Riceville	37370	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 462-2488	619	39	15.7	57.1%	521 (84.2%)	21 (3.4%)	50 (8.1%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.6%)	68.4	274^th of 1019 public elementary schools	73.1%		69.3	245^th of 1009 public elementary schools	75.7%	29	62.0	45.7	64.2	64.2	60.0	70.5	60.7	46.5	59.4	46.3	52.8	40.0	34.4	46.8					43.7	47.1	59.7	60.4	47.3	47.5	50.7	43.4	61.8	52.5	52.7	$11,941	$993	$10,061
Englewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	108 College Street	Englewood	37329	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 887-5260	550	35	15.9	63.1%	506 (92.0%)	3 (0.5%)	26 (4.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.4%)	46.8	531^st of 1019 public elementary schools	47.9%		48.4	506^th of 1009 public elementary schools	49.9%	25	21.0	28.9	19.1	30.6	46.7	34.9	31.2	40.3	40.0	44.7	57.1	48.0	40.4	45.2					35.5	51.1	38.3	65.3	62.7	57.7	52.1	71.4	70.7	51.9	65.3	$11,271	$868	$9,557
Sweetwater Elementary School	Public	3-4	301 Broad Street	Sweetwater	37874	Monroe County	Sweetwater City Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 337-7062	287	18	16.4	73.7%	233 (81.2%)	4 (1.4%)	38 (13.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (3.1%)	61.9	349^th of 1019 public elementary schools	65.8%		64	315^th of 1009 public elementary schools	68.8%	34	45.2	56.1					50.6	51.0	46.8					48.9					45.5	58.7					52.1					$10,705	$806	$9,529
Meigs South Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9638 State Highway 58 S	Decatur	37322	Meigs County	Meigs County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 334-5444	406	29	14.0	77.1%	375 (92.4%)	6 (1.5%)	14 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.5%)	32.9	724^th of 1019 public elementary schools	28.9%		40.4	605^th of 1009 public elementary schools	40.0%	119	19.0	29.4	30.2				25.7	38.1	39.2	34.0				37.1					44.4	41.2	37.7				41.3					$12,760	$1,156	$10,819

Frequently Asked Questions about E K Baker Elementary School

Is E K Baker Elementary School a good school?

E K Baker Elementary School ranks 225^th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is E K Baker Elementary School in?

McMinn County Schools

What is the racial makeup of E K Baker Elementary School?

Students at E K Baker Elementary School are 87% White, 6% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American.

How many students attend E K Baker Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 307 students attended E K Baker Elementary School.

Rate E K Baker Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

TNTennessee Elementary School Rankings

TNTennessee District Rankings

Schools in Athens, TN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for E K Baker 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.