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Sullivan East High School

Q: Is Sullivan East High School a good school?

Sullivan East High School ranks 260 th of 400 Tennessee high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend Sullivan East High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 816 students attended Sullivan East High School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Sullivan East High School?

Students at Sullivan East High School are 93% White, 5% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

Q: What schools feed into Sullivan East High School?

Sullivan East High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Bluff City Elementary School Elementary : Emmett Elementary School Elementary : Mary Hughes School Middle : Sullivan East Middle School

Public Grades 9-12

260^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 400 Tennessee High Schools

Better than 35% of Tennessee high schools

Summary

Sullivan East High School is a public high school in Bluff City, Tennessee, serving 816 students in grades 9–12 as part of Sullivan County Schools. The school currently ranks 260th out of 400 Tennessee high schools (35th percentile, 2-star rating), placing it below most nearby traditional high schools, including Science Hill High School (26th), Elizabethton High School (53rd), Tennessee High School (61st), West Ridge High School (165th), Hampton High School (170th), and Happy Valley High School (178th).

Academically, Sullivan East trails both the district and state in nearly every tested subject. Algebra I proficiency is 15.6%, compared to 32.3% statewide, and 10th-grade Biology I proficiency is just 11.5% versus 41.3% statewide. West Ridge High School, the other high school in Sullivan County, outperforms Sullivan East in every reported subject. However, Sullivan East posts a 94.9% graduation rate — higher than West Ridge's 90.4% and the state's 90.5% — and a 4.0% dropout rate, below both district and state averages.

Chronic absenteeism is a challenge, with 26.4% of students missing significant school time compared to 18.3% statewide. Despite spending $14,237 per student — more than West Ridge ($12,582), Happy Valley ($11,892), Tennessee High ($13,543), and second only to Unaka High School ($14,446) — academic outcomes remain below average. Subgroup data shows a strong recent year for Special Education students (68th percentile) and Hispanic students (59th percentile), while White students (18th percentile) and low-income students (15th percentile) rank lower. The school's core challenge is translating strong graduation outcomes and above-average funding into stronger classroom performance.

816

Students ?

13.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,237

Per pupil spending ?

55.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4180 Weaver Pike
Bluff City, TN 37618

(423) 354-1900

District: Sullivan County Schools

Feeder schools for Sullivan East High School:

Elementary:	Bluff City Elementary School
	Emmett Elementary School
	Mary Hughes School
Middle:	Sullivan East Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.0%

Hispanic:

5.0%

Two or more races:

1.3%

See top rated Tennessee high schools

Compare Sullivan East High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 22nd percentile in 2017 → 35th in 2026

Strengths

✓95% graduate in 4 years — above the Tennessee average (90%)

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 35th (2026) from a 22nd-percentile low (2017)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Tennessee average (32% vs 43% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (26% vs 18% Tennessee)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school32%

District avg40%

Tennessee avg43%

260^th of 400

Tennessee public high schools ?

Bottom 35%▼ down 11 pts since 2016

From bottom 46% (2016) to bottom 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2High Schools in the Sullivan County Schools

63^rd of 141Sullivan 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	36.1	260 of 400	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.5	266 of 389	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.4	262 of 392	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.1	301 of 384	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	34.1	235 of 358	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.7	247 of 347	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	46.7	154 of 342	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.1	154 of 341	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	26.9	214 of 273	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	45.0	189 of 351	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2015	43.9	217 of 300	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	31.9	246 of 296	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	38.2	231 of 285	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	48.9	173 of 269	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	41.0	200 of 273	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	56.0	136 of 267	49.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	26.3	281 of 365	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.1	264 of 365	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.8	309 of 366	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.7	257 of 350	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.8	234 of 340	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.4	140 of 337	58.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	51.6	95 of 229	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	19.0	193 of 213	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	75.0	29 of 209	86.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	23.3	261 of 308	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	26.7	257 of 324	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.1	240 of 337	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.6	261 of 330	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	52.5	116 of 322	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	39.9	182 of 317	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.8	105 of 302	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	139 of 308	54.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	35.6	234 of 368	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.0	239 of 366	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.5	275 of 359	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.2	201 of 349	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.6	253 of 332	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.1	160 of 329	51.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	50.7	68 of 210	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	23.7	179 of 198	9.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.0	114 of 183	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	24.4	143 of 159	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	25.2	272 of 330	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.0	274 of 323	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.4	276 of 326	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.5	299 of 325	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	24.5	256 of 312	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.9	262 of 306	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	37.2	181 of 301	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.4	184 of 307	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

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 (2026)68th percentile+33 vs school

Hispanic (2026)59th percentile+24 vs school

Male (2025)36th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)23rd percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)18th percentile-17 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)15th percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

English II56%~ state avg

US History34%-9 vs state

English I32%-5 vs state

Geometry32%-10 vs state

Biology I32%-18 vs state

Algebra II23%-14 vs state

Algebra I16%-17 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Saturday, February 3, 2024

Sullivan East works diligently to provide students with support and opportunities. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Great opportunities for my children. Strong community support. Close Quote

Schools Near Sullivan East 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 Integrated Math II (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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2020)	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 Integrated Math II 9th Grade	TNReady Integrated Math II 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 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
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	55.6%	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
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	38.5%	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		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
Unaka High School	Public	9-12	119 Robinson Lane	Elizabethton	37643	Carter County	Carter County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 474-4100	309	23	13.3	69.6%	283 (91.6%)	1 (0.3%)	19 (6.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	45.8	210^th of 400 public high schools	47.5%		34.9	248^th of 389 public high schools	36.2%	38									33.9				33.3			7.7		7.4	42.9	43.2	17.4		35.1							44.4			44.4		46.0			46.0		34.8			35.8									$14,446	$1,474	$12,294
Carter County Alternative School	Public	5-12	120 Unaka Drive	Elizabethton	37643	Carter County	Carter County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 547-4050	61	3	24.4		57 (93.4%)	2 (3.3%)	1 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.6%)								(n/a)
Elizabethton High School	Public	9-12	907 Jason Witten Way	Elizabethton	37643	Carter County	Elizabethton City Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 547-8015	879	66	13.3	33.0%	790 (89.9%)	17 (1.9%)	32 (3.6%)	6 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.8%)	78.5	53^rd of 400 public high schools	86.8%		71.1	74^th of 389 public high schools	81.0%	21									53.0				51.1		76.9	38.0		42.9	65.8				63.3				52.2		51.7	57.6			57.3		67.6			66.4	≥ 95%	49.4	< 5%		50.7									$13,522	$464	$12,694
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		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
Happy Valley High School	Public	9-12	121 Warpath Lane	Elizabethton	37643	Carter County	Carter County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 547-4094	450	26	17.2	62.7%	397 (88.2%)	8 (1.8%)	27 (6.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.8%)	52.2	178^th of 400 public high schools	55.5%		49.9	177^th of 389 public high schools	54.5%	1									19.4	< 5%			17.5		58.6	20.0		32.6	92.0	41.1	56.3		56.7							35.2			33.3	55.8	46.2			53.8		30.6			30.3									$11,892	$991	$10,259
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	38.5%	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
Hampton High School	Public	9-12	139 Keenburg Road	Elizabethton	37643	Carter County	Carter County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 725-5200	395	32	12.5	66.0%	376 (95.2%)	3 (0.8%)	9 (2.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	53.5	170^th of 400 public high schools	57.5%		36.4	239^th of 389 public high schools	38.6%	69									38.8				36.1		51.6	6.5		23.8	67.7	49.1			56.0							29.7			29.1		62.0			61.0		34.2			32.5									$13,382	$1,189	$11,281

Frequently Asked Questions about Sullivan East High School

What is the racial makeup of Sullivan East High School?

Students at Sullivan East High School are 93% White, 5% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

Is Sullivan East High School a good school?

Sullivan East High School ranks 260^th of 400 Tennessee high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Sullivan East High School in?

Sullivan County Schools

How many students attend Sullivan East High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 816 students attended Sullivan East High School.

What schools feed into Sullivan East High School?

Sullivan East High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bluff City Elementary School
Elementary : Emmett Elementary School
Elementary : Mary Hughes School
Middle : Sullivan East Middle 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.