Summary:
ZIP code 37658 in Hampton, Tennessee, is a small, rural community served by two public schools within Carter County Schools: Hampton Elementary School, a PK–8 school with 662 students, and Carter County Online Academy, a K–12 alternative virtual school with 123 students.
Hampton Elementary School is the clear standout for traditional schooling. Its overall math proficiency (42.5%) is nearly equal to the state average (43.0%), and its 8th grade math is a genuine bright spot at 58.1% — well above the district's 43.2% and state's 38.3%. However, ELA is a consistent weakness, with overall proficiency at 32.2% versus 40.6% statewide, and 7th and 8th grade ELA both below 23%. The school holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 47th percentile of Tennessee schools for 2025–2026, down from the 57th percentile in 2023–2024. Meanwhile, Carter County Online Academy faces severe challenges: proficiency rates are in single digits or low teens for most subjects, the dropout rate is 20%, and the graduation rate is 80%, far below the district's 94.1%.
Spending differs dramatically — Hampton Elementary School spends $12,548 per student versus only $5,473 at the online academy. Chronic absenteeism at Hampton (18.4%) matches the state average but is above the district's 15.9%. There is no traditional high school in the ZIP code, so families seeking one look outside the area, while those needing flexibility may choose the online academy. Given the district ranks in the bottom quarter of Tennessee, the pockets of math strength at Hampton Elementary are notable, but both schools demonstrate there is substantial room for improvement.
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