Summary:
Zip code 37362 is served by just one school: South Polk Elementary School, a public elementary school in Old Fort, TN, serving grades PK through 5 with 347 students. Since there are no middle or high schools in this zip code, the analysis focuses entirely on this single school, using Polk County Schools and state averages as comparison points.
South Polk is a relative bright spot within a low-ranked district. The district ranks 125th out of 141 Tennessee districts (bottom 11%), yet South Polk outperforms the district in every all-grades subject tested. In English language arts, the school exceeds the state average (43.1% vs. 40.6% statewide), while math (39.6%) and science (38.0%) trail the state by modest margins. The 4th grade cohort is exceptional: 74.4% proficient in math (vs. 49.4% statewide), 69.2% in ELA (vs. 47.4%), and 56.4% in science (vs. 50.1%). However, 5th grade scores drop sharply—math falls to 31.5%, ELA to 29.6%, and science to 36.5%—suggesting a strong cohort effect rather than a schoolwide pattern. Chronic absenteeism is a clear strength at 14.9%, well below the district's 21.1% and the state's 18.3%.
Despite stable test scores over the past two years, South Polk's statewide ranking has slipped from the 48th percentile (2024–2025) to the 40th percentile (2025–2026), indicating other Tennessee schools are improving faster. The school's ELA program remains its standout area, while math and science offer room for growth, particularly in 3rd and 5th grades. Per-student spending is $11,369, but free/reduced lunch and student-to-teacher ratio data are not reported. For parents considering this area, South Polk offers a solid elementary education with a strong 4th grade year and better attendance than most of the state, despite being part of a district facing significant challenges.
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