Summary:
Zip code 37096 is home to one elementary school, Linden Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 4 in Linden, Tennessee, and is part of Perry County Schools, a district ranked in the bottom quarter of Tennessee school districts. With 309 students, Linden Elementary is a small rural school, and it stands out as the clear academic leader within its district, beating district averages in nearly every tested subject and grade level.
Despite its district's low ranking, Linden Elementary has strong upward momentum. The school's state percentile rank improved from the 31st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 47th percentile in 2025-2026, moving from the bottom third to nearly the middle of Tennessee elementary schools. In the most recent testing year, the school beat the district in Mathematics (38.8% vs. 33.9%), English Language Arts (42.5% vs. 34.6%), and Science (48.8% vs. 43.8%). It also exceeded the state average in ELA and Science, though 4th grade math trails the state by 11.3 points. Year-over-year gains were strong across all subjects, with ELA proficiency jumping 7.4 points, math improving 3.7 points, and science edging up 0.9 points. Science is a notable strength, particularly in 3rd grade, where proficiency reaches 51.4% compared to 44.3% statewide.
Chronic absenteeism at Linden Elementary sits at 15.1%, below both the district rate of 15.4% and the state rate of 18.3%, indicating attendance is not a major barrier to learning. The school spends $14,632 per student, a substantial figure, though the school remains near the middle of the state overall, suggesting room for improvement in how resources are used, particularly in math instruction. Grade-level patterns show 3rd grade math and ELA lag the district, while 4th grade is stronger relative to the district in those subjects. Overall, Linden Elementary is a small, improving school with a positive trajectory, and its recent gains in English Language Arts and Science make it a solid choice for families in the area.
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