Best Public Schools in Zip Code 37876

ZIP code 37876 in the Sevierville, Tennessee area is served by 6 schools in the Sevier County Schools district: 5 elementary schools and 1 high school (Gary Hardin Academy) spanning grades PK through 12. The clear standout is Catons Chapel Elementary School, which ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide and beats the district by 30+ points in math, science, and social studies. Boyds Creek Elementary School is also a strong performer, ranking in the 74th percentile with all subjects above state averages, and has improved consistently over the past three years.

At the other end of the spectrum, Pigeon Forge Primary School ranks in the bottom quarter (27th percentile) with the lowest test scores among the elementary schools, along with a chronic absenteeism rate of 35.1% — nearly double the state rate. Gary Hardin Academy faces even more serious challenges: it ranks in the 6th percentile among Tennessee high schools, with only 10.5% proficiency in Geometry and a staggering 58% chronic absenteeism rate, despite a graduation rate of 93.4%. In between, Catlettsburg Elementary School (70th percentile) and New Center Elementary School (51st percentile) are average performers, though New Center has a puzzling weakness in social studies at 32% proficiency.

Several patterns stand out. Spending does not guarantee success: Catons Chapel Elementary School spends the most per student ($20,073) and performs best, but Pigeon Forge spends relatively generously ($16,442) and struggles. Chronic absenteeism is the strongest warning sign, as the two lowest-performing schools also have the highest absenteeism. Notably, while the district overall is ranked below the state average, three of the five elementary schools in this ZIP code beat state averages in every subject, making school-level data essential for families choosing in this area.