Summary:
Zip code 38201 in rural Tennessee is served by a single high school, McKenzie High School, which enrolls 366 students in grades 9–12 and is part of the McKenzie Special School District.
McKenzie High School is the only high school in this area, and it is a standout performer. In the 2025–2026 school year, it ranked 37th out of 400 Tennessee high schools — putting it in the top 10% statewide, a remarkable jump from 103rd the year before. The school’s graduation rate is excellent at 96.3%, well above the state average of 90.5%. On state tests, students outperform Tennessee averages in most subjects, especially in Biology I (62.6% proficient vs. 49.8% statewide) and English II (72.5% vs. 58.1%). Ninth graders taking Algebra I show a particularly strong edge, with 52.4% proficient compared to just 26.1% statewide. The school also made dramatic year-over-year gains in Algebra I, Geometry, and English II, which helps explain its rapid rise in the rankings.
While the overall picture is very positive, there is room for growth in Algebra II, where proficiency at 31.1% trails the state average of 37.3%. This is especially true for 12th graders, only 7.7% of whom are proficient in Algebra II. English I also remains a relative weak spot compared to English II, suggesting a possible gap in 9th-grade reading mastery. Still, the data shows a school on a strong upward trajectory, with excellent graduation rates, clear strengths in science and English, and a district rated in the top 25% of Tennessee districts. For parents considering this area, McKenzie High School offers a small, high-achieving learning environment with strong momentum.
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