Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38553

Zip code 38553 is served by a single public high school, Clarkrange High School, which educates students in grades 9 through 12. This small school stands out for its exceptional 98.4% graduation rate, nearly 8 points above the Tennessee average, and earned a 4-star rating with a rank of 116th out of 400 high schools for 2025–2026. It also outshines its district, Fentress County Schools, which ranks in the bottom quarter of Tennessee districts. For parents, this means Clarkrange High School is a clear bright spot in the area, with strong student support and a track record of preparing nearly all students to graduate.

Academically, Clarkrange High School shows both strengths and areas needing attention. In 2025–2026, students performed well above the state in Algebra II (46.9% proficient vs. 37.3%) and English II (61.8% vs. 58.1%), while 11th-grade Algebra II proficiency was nearly 15 points higher than the state average. However, proficiency in Biology I (36.1%) and Geometry (33.9%) lagged well behind state averages, and English I was slightly below. The school also saw dramatic year-to-year swings: Algebra I proficiency jumped from 10.9% to 29.6%, and English II rose from 40.4% to 61.8%, while Biology I fell sharply from 58.5% to 36.1%. These fluctuations may reflect changing student cohorts or instructional shifts, but they highlight some instability in test performance across subjects.

Chronic absenteeism affects 17.7% of students, which is better than the district (19.1%) and state (18.3%), but still means roughly one in five students misses significant school. Per-student spending is a notable $15,979, though no state comparison is available. Some key data—such as free/reduced lunch rates, student–teacher ratio, and the most recent school dropout rate—is not reported, limiting a full picture. Overall, Clarkrange High School is a high-performing, close-knit school with a near-perfect graduation rate and strong results in several subjects, making it a valuable asset for families in this rural community.