Summary:
ZIP code 37397 contains one middle school, Whitwell Middle School, which serves grades 5 through 8 in Whitwell, Tennessee. This school is a clear standout despite being the only middle school in the area. It is ranked in the 78th percentile of Tennessee middle schools with a 4-star rating, while its district, Marion County Schools, ranks in the 31st percentile. Students here consistently outperform the district and often the state. For instance, math proficiency is 54.2%, compared to 34.0% for the district and 43.0% for the state. Science and social studies also exceed state averages, with proficiency rates of 52.2% and 59.9%, respectively.
The school’s 7th grade cohort is especially remarkable, posting the highest proficiency rates in every subject. Math reaches 65.7%, science 70.0%, and social studies 71.4%—all far above state averages. However, English Language Arts remains the main weakness. Overall ELA proficiency is 39.1%, just below the state’s 40.6%, largely driven by lower 5th and 6th grade scores. The 6th grade ELA rate of 33.9% is the school’s lowest area. While science and social studies dipped slightly from the prior year, they still remain above state levels. Math improved year-over-year, showing consistent strength across all grades, with even the lowest grade level exceeding the state average.
Chronic absenteeism affects 19.9% of students—better than the district’s 21.8% but above the state’s 18.3%. The school spends $12,504 per student, though no district or state comparison is available. With roughly 70 students per grade, a single strong cohort can significantly influence overall results. Whitwell Middle School is a solid choice for families seeking strong math and science education, but improving ELA outcomes and reducing absenteeism could help the school climb even higher in state rankings.
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