Summary:
Zip code 38221 is served by a single school, Big Sandy School, a public K-8 school in the Benton County Schools district that enrolls 243 students and serves the rural community of Big Sandy, Tennessee.
Big Sandy School is the only school in this zip code, so all comparisons are made against its district, Benton County Schools, and the state of Tennessee. The school has a 2-star state ranking (37th percentile) and improved significantly from last year, jumping from the 20th to the 37th percentile. Its overall performance is stronger than the district's 1-star rating, but there is a clear subject divide. In 2025–2026, the school excelled in Science (52.1% proficient) and Social Studies (51.3%), with ELA exactly at the state average (40.6%). Mathematics is the major weakness, with only 19.8% proficiency compared to 32.8% in the district and 43.0% statewide. Every grade level trails the state in math, with 5th grade particularly concerning at just 5.3% proficiency.
The 5th grade cohort stands out as a consistent weak spot across nearly every subject, including ELA (21.1%) and Science (26.3%). By contrast, 8th grade is a bright spot, with outstanding science results (80% proficient) and above-average scores in math, ELA, and social studies. Year-over-year gains were dramatic: Science improved by 15.4 points and Social Studies by 23.2 points, while math declined by 4.4 points. Chronic absenteeism (14.9%) is lower than both the district (16.9%) and state (18.3%), and per-student spending is $13,281. For parents, this is a small, improving school with strong science and social studies instruction, solid ELA, and a clear need for targeted math support, especially in the middle grades.
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