Best Public Schools in Zip Code 37918

ZIP code 37918 in Knoxville, TN contains 9 schools serving elementary through high school grades, split between Knox County Schools and Union County Schools, with a combined enrollment of 7,459 students. The standout performers are Shannondale Elementary School and Brickey McCloud Elementary School, both rated 4 stars and ranking in the 85th and 75th percentiles statewide. Shannondale leads in all subjects with math proficiency at 58.0%, ELA at 62.1%, and science at 62.1%. Brickey McCloud is close behind and has been steadily improving its rank over three years, while also posting the lowest chronic absenteeism (12.8%) among physical schools in the ZIP code.

Secondary schools show more concerning trends. Gresham Middle School ranks in the 58th percentile with math proficiency declining sharply from 43.3% in 6th grade to 26.0% in 8th grade, and chronic absenteeism of 26.9%. Central High School has improved its state rank to the 50th percentile, but only 11.2% of students are proficient in Algebra I, and its 81.6% graduation rate paired with a 15.4% dropout rate and 32.0% chronic absenteeism signal serious engagement problems. By contrast, Fountain City Elementary School and Ritta Elementary School sit near the middle of the pack, while Adrian Burnett Elementary School spends the most per student ($15,316) yet ranks only in the 26th percentile with 28.5% math proficiency.

The two virtual schools, Tennessee Virtual Academy and Tennessee Virtual Middle School, belong to Union County Schools and are among the lowest-ranked in the state, with math proficiency below 15% and spending roughly 60% less per student than physical schools. While they report low chronic absenteeism (7–9%), academic outcomes are far below brick-and-mortar peers. Overall, 37918 offers strong elementary options in Shannondale and Brickey McCloud, but middle and high school families should weigh the attendance and graduation challenges at Gresham and Central carefully. The most pressing issue is chronic absenteeism at the secondary level, which affects roughly one in three students at Central High School.