Best High Schools in Zip Code 37334

Zip code 37334, serving the Fayetteville, TN area, is home to two public high schools — Lincoln County High School and Fayetteville High School — both covering grades 9–12. The two schools belong to separate districts, Lincoln County Schools and Fayetteville City Schools, and differ dramatically in size, with Lincoln County (1,171 students) enrolling nearly 3.7 times as many students as Fayetteville (315).

Lincoln County High School is the clear academic standout, ranking 77th of 400 Tennessee high schools (81st percentile, 4 stars). It scored at or above state averages in every reported TNReady subject, with especially strong results in US History (57.4% vs. 42.4% statewide) and English II (65.9% vs. 58.1%). Fayetteville High School ranks much lower at 271st (32nd percentile, 2 stars) and trails state averages in every reported subject, with its largest gaps in Algebra II (–26.2) and Geometry (–24.3). However, Fayetteville posts an exceptional 98.9% graduation rate and a 1.1% dropout rate, far better than Lincoln County's 90.7% graduation rate and well ahead of state averages (90.5% graduation, 6.7% dropout). Chronic absenteeism is slightly higher at Lincoln County (18.9%) than at Fayetteville (16.7%) or statewide (18.3%). Notably, both schools spend nearly identical amounts per student — $10,240 at Lincoln County versus $10,258 at Fayetteville — yet produce vastly different academic outcomes.

The two schools offer families a striking trade-off. Lincoln County excels academically but is only about average at getting students to graduation, while Fayetteville struggles on test scores but is exceptional at keeping students on track to earn a diploma. Fayetteville is also improving rapidly, jumping from the 14th to 32nd state percentile in one year, headlined by a 24.9-point gain in Biology I proficiency. Lincoln County's grade-level data shows uneven results, such as 85% Algebra II proficiency among 10th graders but only 23.1% US History proficiency among 12th graders, possibly reflecting advanced students testing early and lower-performing students retesting. Missing data on free/reduced lunch eligibility and student-teacher ratios limits a full comparison, but the bottom line is clear: families choosing between these two schools are weighing strong academics and high rankings at Lincoln County against a near-perfect graduation rate and rapid improvement at Fayetteville.