Summary:
Zip code 38583 in Sparta, Tennessee is home to five elementary schools—Findlay Elementary School, Cassville Elementary School, Northfield Elementary School, Bon De Croft Elementary School, and Woodland Park Elementary School—all serving grades PK-5 within White County Schools, a district ranked in the 88th percentile statewide.
Findlay Elementary School is the clear academic leader, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 93rd out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary schools, with math proficiency at 77.9%, ELA at 61.1%, and science at 69.5%—all tops in the area. Cassville Elementary School is also strong in math (75%) and ELA (60.4%), but its science proficiency of just 44.8% is below the state average, creating a notable imbalance. The other three schools sit in the 64th-69th percentile range. Northfield Elementary School has the lowest chronic absenteeism at 6.8%, yet its rank fell from 180th to 318th over the past year, with declines across all subjects. Bon De Croft Elementary School spends the most per student ($14,653) but struggles in 3rd grade, where math and ELA proficiency are both just 26.9%, despite strong 5th-grade math at 81.3%. Woodland Park Elementary School is the largest school with 509 students and has the highest chronic absenteeism at 13.1%, nearly double its neighbors, which likely weighs on its 5th-grade math score of 44.8%.
Overall, every school in the zip code exceeds Tennessee state averages in math and ELA, and most keep chronic absenteeism around 7%, far better than the state's 18.3%. Science is the common weak spot, with only Findlay above the district average. Notably, spending doesn't predict outcomes—the highest spender ranks near the bottom, while the top performer spends near the low end—suggesting that school culture and attendance may matter more than budget. Parents in this area can expect solid foundational academics with a few specific concerns to watch.
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