Summary:
ZIP code 38320, home to Camden, Tennessee, is served by 4 schools in the Benton County Schools district, offering a complete K-12 pipeline for 1,773 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. While the district overall ranks in the bottom quarter of Tennessee districts, these schools show a mixed picture with some genuine bright spots alongside notable concerns.
Academic performance across the three tested schools is generally below state averages. Camden Central High School holds the highest state percentile (42nd) and shines in non-test outcomes with a 98.1% graduation rate and a 1.0% dropout rate. However, it trails the state badly in Algebra I (15.5% proficient) and English I (20.2%), while outperforming in Geometry and US History. Camden Junior High School is the most volatile, dropping from the 61st to 37th percentile in one year, with math proficiency falling 11.7 points; it also has the highest chronic absenteeism at 18.4%. Briarwood School (grades 3–5) earns the lowest chronic absenteeism in the area at 15.1% and strong 5th grade science (55% proficient). Camden Elementary School serves PK–2 with no test data but spends the most per pupil at $13,060.
Per-pupil spending is remarkably consistent across all four schools, varying by only $68. One fascinating finding: course-level gaps at the high school suggest strong tracking — for example, 9th grade Biology I proficiency is 94.4% versus just 31.9% for 10th grade, implying advanced students take these subjects earlier. The most urgent red flag is Camden Junior High’s sharp decline, which may be linked to its absenteeism. Despite the district’s low rank, each school outperforms the district’s 21st percentile benchmark, suggesting other district schools outside this ZIP code are dragging the rating down.
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