Best Public Schools in Zip Code 37617

Zip code 37617 (Blountville, Tennessee) is served by four public schools in the Sullivan County Schools district — West Ridge High School (grades 9-12), Holston Elementary School (PK-5), Sullivan Central Middle School (grades 6-8), and Central Heights Elementary School (PK-5), together enrolling roughly 3,055 students.

Among the elementary schools, Central Heights Elementary is the academic leader, ranking in the 68th percentile statewide with the strongest math (60.6% proficient) and ELA (51.9%) scores in the area — well above both district and state averages. Its 4th-grade math proficiency (76.5%) is especially impressive. However, its science proficiency (42.3%) falls below the district average, and its rank slipped from the 78th to 68th percentile. Holston Elementary is the standout for attendance and science, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (12.8%) versus the district’s 20.8%, and strong science proficiency at 54.3% — well above the state’s 46.9%. Holston also improved its rank from the 54th to 64th percentile year over year. At the middle school level, Sullivan Central Middle shines in Algebra I with an extraordinary 85.2% proficiency, far exceeding the district (32.6%) and state (32.3%), though its overall math (40.2%) and ELA (39.0%) remain near district averages.

West Ridge High is improving academically — Geometry proficiency jumped from 36.5% to 46.9%, English II reached 62%, and the graduation rate is 90.4%, essentially matching the state. Yet chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 26.5%, well above the district (20.8%) and state (18.3%), and the dropout rate of 7.3% is higher than both. Spending does not clearly predict outcomes: Central Heights spends the most per student ($14,828) and posts strong math/ELA scores, while West Ridge spends the least ($12,582) but still beats state averages in several subjects. Overall, this area offers a solid mix of strong elementary math and ELA, an exceptional Algebra I program at the middle school, and a high school trending upward — though reducing absenteeism remains a high-leverage opportunity.