Summary:
Zip code 38462 in Hohenwald, Tennessee is served by two public middle schools — Lewis County Middle School and Volunteer State Virtual Academy Middle School — both part of the Lewis County Schools district, which ranks 105th out of 141 Tennessee districts. Together, the two schools serve roughly 772 students in grades 6 through 8, but they differ dramatically in school model and academic outcomes. The district as a whole is rated 1 star, a fact that can mask the strong performance of one of its schools.
Lewis County Middle School is the clear standout in this area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 72nd percentile of Tennessee middle schools. It outperforms its district in every tested subject and beats state averages in math, science, and social studies. Math proficiency stands at 51.6%, nearly nine points above the state average, and its 6th grade math proficiency reaches 64.8%. By contrast, Volunteer State Virtual Academy Middle School holds a 1-star rating and sits in the 28th percentile, with proficiency rates below both district and state averages in every subject. The math gap between the two schools is 32 percentage points, and the virtual academy's chronic absenteeism rate of 39.2% is more than double the state average of 18.3%.
Financial differences are also notable: Lewis County Middle School spends $14,201 per student, while Volunteer State Virtual Academy Middle School spends just $5,611. Both schools share a concerning pattern, however — 7th grade appears to be the most difficult year, with math proficiency dropping sharply at both schools. On the positive side, the virtual academy is improving rapidly, climbing from the 7th percentile to the 28th percentile in three years, with large gains in every subject. For parents choosing between these two schools, Lewis County Middle School offers by far the stronger academic record, while the virtual academy provides flexibility but warrants careful consideration of its attendance challenges and below-average achievement.
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