Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 37385

There are three elementary schools in zip code 37385 serving grades PK–4 and K–8 in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, all part of Monroe County Schools, a district ranked in the bottom 13% of Tennessee.

Tellico Plains Elementary School is the clear standout, reaching the 50th percentile statewide and outperforming its district in every subject, including above-state scores in math and ELA. It also spends the least per student ($13,602) of the three schools and has improved its ranking from the 36th to 50th percentile in two years. In contrast, Coker Creek Elementary School is a major concern: it ranks in the bottom 4%, spends the most per student ($20,993), and has the highest chronic absenteeism at 39.3%—more than double the state average. Its proficiency rates are far below district and state levels, especially in social studies, where only 13% of students are proficient versus 51.4% statewide. Rural Vale Elementary School sits in between, with the lowest chronic absenteeism (18.1%) but academic results well below state averages, except for relative strengths in 5th-grade math and 8th-grade social studies.

Key takeaways for parents: higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as Coker Creek’s high per-pupil spending coincides with very low performance. Chronic absenteeism is likely a major barrier at Coker Creek. Rural Vale shows wide swings by grade, suggesting targeted help is needed in middle-school math and ELA. Meanwhile, Tellico Plains proves that strong results are possible even in a low-ranked district. That said, Coker Creek’s tiny enrollment (55 students) means its percentages should be interpreted cautiously, and missing data on free/reduced lunch and class sizes limit deeper comparisons. Overall, the three schools serve the same district but are experiencing very different levels of success.