Summary:
Zip code 37317, serving the Copperhill area of Tennessee, contains just two schools—Copper Basin Elementary School (grades PK–6, 321 students) and Copper Basin High School (grades 7–12, 231 students)—both part of Polk County Schools, a district ranked in the bottom 11th percentile statewide. These schools present a stark contrast in academic performance that parents should carefully consider.
Copper Basin High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide. Its rank history is consistently strong, holding 4-star ratings for three consecutive years. The high school posts a 93.9% graduation rate and excels in social studies, with 66.7% of students proficient in US History compared to 42.4% statewide. In contrast, Copper Basin Elementary School has slipped dramatically from the 43rd percentile in 2023–2024 to just the 16th percentile in 2025–2026, earning a 1-star rating. Test scores at the elementary level lag behind district and state averages in nearly every subject, with the most concerning result being 6th grade math at just 9.4% proficiency versus 40.1% statewide.
Both schools struggle with chronic absenteeism, with rates around 24% compared to the state average of 18.3%, and this likely contributes to lower proficiency scores. The high school spends significantly more per student ($16,864 versus $12,575), which may reflect the cost of specialized programs that support its stronger outcomes. Overall, the high school's ability to graduate students at rates above the state average despite the district's low ranking makes it a bright spot, while the elementary school's declining performance in foundational math skills represents the area's most urgent challenge.
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