Summary:
Zip code 37397 is home to a single public high school — Whitwell High School — which serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 298 students as part of Marion County Schools. Because only one high school exists in this area, this summary focuses on how Whitwell compares to its district and the state of Tennessee. The school earned a 4-star rating for the 2025–2026 school year, ranking 103rd out of 400 Tennessee high schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.
Whitwell High School is a strong academic leader within Marion County, outperforming district averages in nearly every subject and in both years of reported data. In the 2025–2026 school year, the school beat the district by notable margins in Algebra I (34.7% vs. 23.7%), U.S. History (46.7% vs. 35.2%), and Biology I (48.6% vs. 44.2%). Whitwell also posted a dramatic 22.6-point improvement in Algebra I proficiency, jumping from 12.1% in 2024–2025 to 34.7% in 2025–2026, moving from well below the state average to slightly above it. English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History all hover near or exceed state averages, making these subjects clear strengths. Its graduation rate of 88.6% is slightly below the state's 90.5% but above the district's 88.2%, and its dropout rate of 2.3% is far better than both the district (3.7%) and state (6.7%).
Despite these strengths, Whitwell High School faces challenges. Chronic absenteeism affects 32.1% of students — roughly one in three — compared to 21.8% for the district and 18.3% statewide. This is an important concern even though graduation and dropout rates remain healthy. Mathematics beyond Algebra I is also a relative weakness: Geometry proficiency (33.3%) and Algebra II proficiency (31.7%) trail state averages of 42.3% and 37.3%, respectively. With only 298 students, year-to-year swings can be amplified by a single classroom, so small enrollment should be kept in mind when interpreting changes. The school spends $14,007 per student, reflecting a substantial investment in its students. If Whitwell can address chronic absenteeism and continue improving math instruction, it has clear potential to climb even higher in future state rankings.
Thank you for your feedback!