Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 37849

Zip code 37849 in Powell, Tennessee, is served by three elementary schools — Powell Elementary School, Copper Ridge Elementary School, and Claxton Elementary School — that collectively educate 1,789 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. These schools fall into two clear performance tiers. Powell and Copper Ridge rank nearly identically statewide (62nd and 61st percentiles, respectively) and post similar all-grade proficiency rates in math and reading. Claxton trails both by roughly 9–15 percentage points in every subject, landing at just the 33rd percentile statewide. For parents, the practical takeaway is that Powell and Copper Ridge are both solid academic choices with comparable outcomes, while Claxton is a lower-performing option despite having the best attendance record in the area.

Looking more closely at academics, Powell is the most balanced and cost-effective school. It leads the trio in math proficiency (46.8%) and ties with Copper Ridge in reading (47.9%), all while spending the least at $12,580 per student. Copper Ridge posts the highest science proficiency (50.7%) and shines in fourth grade, with standout scores in science (63.3%) and reading (55.7%), but its fifth-grade reading scores drop sharply to 32.3%. Claxton lags badly in upper grades, especially fifth-grade math at 28.4% and third-grade science at 27.5%. Notably, all three schools share a common weak spot: fifth grade, where scores tend to fall below each school’s earlier-grade performance.

Two additional insights stand out. First, spending does not predict results — Powell out-performs Copper Ridge despite spending $3,344 less per student, while Claxton spends more than Powell yet scores far lower. Second, attendance does not align with academics: Claxton has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (14.4%) but the weakest test scores, while Copper Ridge has the highest absenteeism rate (19.4%) but performs much better. Both Knox County Schools and Anderson County Schools serve this zip code, and while Anderson County ranks slightly higher as a district, Claxton is actually the weakest school in this group — meaning it underperforms relative to its own district. Overall, parents prioritizing academics and cost efficiency will find Powell the strongest value, while those seeking early-grade science strength may lean toward Copper Ridge.