Summary:
Zip code 37645 (Mt Carmel, TN) contains one public school: Mt Carmel Elementary School, a PK–4 elementary school with 306 students in the Hawkins County Schools district. There are no middle or high schools in this zip code, so families must plan for students to transition to schools outside the immediate area after 4th grade.
This school is a clear standout within its district, outperforming Hawkins County Schools in every tested subject. In 2025–2026, math proficiency was 54.3% versus 35.2% districtwide, a 19.1-point advantage. The school also exceeds Tennessee state averages in math, English language arts, and science. Fourth grade is especially strong: math proficiency reaches 63.4% (14 points above the state), science reaches 63.4% (13.3 points above), and ELA reaches 56.1% (8.7 points above). Third graders, however, are slightly below state averages in ELA and science. Chronic absenteeism is a notable asset at 12.7%, far below the district (19.8%) and state (18.3%).
The main concern is a downward trend over the past two years. Mt Carmel's state ranking slipped from the 85th percentile (154th of 1,018) in 2023–2024 to the 69th percentile (320th of 1,019) in 2025–2026, and its star rating dropped from 4 to 3. ELA proficiency declined from 58.6% to 49.4%, and science fell from 60.6% to 52.4%, though math held steady at around 54%. Per-student spending is $13,898, reflecting solid investment in the school. Overall, Mt Carmel Elementary remains a strong, above-average option for early elementary grades, with exceptional 4th grade performance and low absenteeism, but the recent declines in test scores and ranking are worth monitoring.
Thank you for your feedback!