Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38562

Zip code 38562 in Gainesboro, Tennessee, is served by 3 public schools—Gainesboro Elementary School, Jackson County Middle School, and Jackson County High School—all part of the Jackson County Schools district, which ranks 73rd out of 141 Tennessee districts. The district covers grades PK through 12, with Gainesboro Elementary School serving PK–3, Jackson County Middle School serving grades 4–8, and Jackson County High School serving grades 9–12. While the district sits near the middle of the state overall, the three schools display very different performance profiles, ranging from a high-performing elementary school to secondary schools that trail state averages.

Gainesboro Elementary School is the clear standout, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide (205th of 1,019 elementary schools) and showing strong improvement over the past three years. It exceeds state averages in math (62.5% vs. 43.0%), ELA (50.0% vs. 40.6%), and science (52.4% vs. 46.9%). By contrast, Jackson County High School graduates students at an impressive 96.4% rate (vs. 90.5% statewide) but struggles academically, particularly in Algebra I, where only 11.8% of students are proficient compared to 32.3% statewide. Jackson County Middle School ranks in the 39th percentile, down sharply from the 57th percentile the prior year, with proficiency below state averages in all core subjects—though 8th graders outperform the state in science and social studies, and match the state in math.

Several patterns stand out for parents. Chronic absenteeism rises with grade level, from 13.9% at the elementary school (better than the state's 18.3%) to 19.4% at the high school. The middle school shows a concerning "5th-grade cliff" in math, with proficiency dropping from 44.4% in 4th grade to just 23.1% in 5th grade versus the state's 47.4%. Spending does not appear to drive results, as the high school spends the most per student ($13,344) yet has the weakest academic outcomes. The most urgent opportunities for improvement are secondary math and rising absenteeism, but Gainesboro Elementary School proves the district can produce above-average outcomes.