Best Public Schools in Zip Code 37914

Zip code 37914 in Knoxville, Tennessee is home to 5 schools within Knox County Schools — three elementary-level schools (including one intermediate school), two high schools, and no middle schools — serving roughly 2,198 students in a district ranked solidly in the middle of Tennessee at the 45th percentile.

The two high schools in this zip code could hardly be more different. Career Magnet Academy is the clear standout, ranking in the 68th percentile statewide with a 93.4% graduation rate and just 12.5% chronic absenteeism. It beats district and state averages in English II, Biology I, English I, and Geometry. By contrast, Austin East High/Magnet School ranks in the bottom 4% of Tennessee high schools, with a graduation rate of 83.2%, a 15% dropout rate, and 47.6% of students chronically absent. Proficiency gaps are massive — 82.6% of Career Magnet students are proficient in English II versus just 28.7% at Austin East. Among elementary schools, Chilhowee Intermediate School is the strongest, improving from the 28th to 40th percentile and matching or beating state averages in several subjects, while Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy and Spring Hill Elementary School sit at the 4th and 11th percentiles respectively.

A few patterns stand out. Austin East, the lowest-performing school, spends the most at $19,014 per student, while Career Magnet spends just $11,973 — a reminder that higher spending alone isn't translating into better results. Chronic absenteeism tracks closely with performance, with Austin East's 47.6% rate standing out as the most urgent red flag. And with no middle schools in the zip code, students must leave the area after 5th grade, potentially disrupting academic momentum. Finally, the "magnet" label at both high schools shows that designation alone doesn't guarantee quality — the real drivers are program structure, admissions, and student support.