Best Public Schools in Zip Code 37327

Schools in zip code 37327 serve the Dunlap, Tennessee area through three public schools in Sequatchie County Schools, covering grades PK–12 with a total enrollment of 1,924 students. The district overall ranks in the 33rd percentile of Tennessee districts, but individual schools vary widely. Sequatchie County High School is the clear standout, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 62nd percentile statewide, while Griffith Elementary School sits near the middle of the pack at the 46th percentile. The most concerning performance comes from Sequatchie County Middle School, which ranks in just the 30th percentile and posts proficiency rates far below state averages in math (25.8% vs. 43.0%) and ELA (24.5% vs. 40.6%).

Student achievement tells a story of a steep academic slide between elementary and middle school. Griffith Elementary outperforms state averages in math and ELA, but those gains disappear by middle school, where proficiency drops by roughly half in both subjects. The high school, in contrast, excels in Biology and U.S. History, with proficiency rates 15 and 20 points above state averages, and maintains a 93.0% graduation rate. However, high school performance is uneven: Algebra I and Geometry proficiency lag well behind the state, and English II dropped from 68.5% to 51.2% in a single year. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide red flag, with all three schools above 30% versus the 18.3% state average, even at the otherwise strong high school.

Spending per student aligns inversely with performance: the middle school spends the least at $11,940, while the high school spends the most at $13,137 and achieves the best outcomes. Griffith Elementary spends $13,076 and shows encouraging grade-level growth, with 4th graders outpacing 3rd graders in every subject. For parents, the key takeaway is that elementary and high school students in this ZIP code have solid options, but the middle school years represent a critical challenge. The district’s elevated chronic absenteeism may be undermining potential across all grade levels, making attendance a top priority for families here.