For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 7,943 students in Jefferson County, TN (there are 3 private schools, serving 80 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, TN are Dandridge Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School and Piedmont Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dandridge Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
780 S Highway 92
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3127
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3127
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
321 W Broadway Blvd
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 475-4712
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 475-4712
Gr: PK-5 | 467 students Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Piedmont Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1100 W Dumplin Valley Rd
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-2939
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-2939
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
New Market Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1559 W Old A Johnson Hwy
New Market, TN 37820
(865) 475-3551
New Market, TN 37820
(865) 475-3551
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Maury Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
965 Maury Cir
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3424
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3424
Gr: 6-8 | 582 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Mount Horeb Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 East Dumplin Valley Rd
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 397-9472
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 397-9472
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #77.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
361 West Broadway Blvd
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 475-6133
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 475-6133
Gr: 6-8 | 528 students Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Jefferson Co High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
115 W Dumplin Valley Rd
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3182
Dandridge, TN 37725
(865) 397-3182
Gr: 9-12 | 1,965 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Rush Strong Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3081 W Old Andrew Johnson Hwy
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-5313
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-5313
Gr: PK-8 | 518 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
White Pine Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3060 Roy Messer Hwy
White Pine, TN 37890
(865) 674-2596
White Pine, TN 37890
(865) 674-2596
Gr: PK-8 | 705 students Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Virtual Academy
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3081 West Old Aj Hwy
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 397-0780
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 397-0780
Gr: 5-12 | 55 students Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1212.
Carter Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
204 North Carter School Rd
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3426
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3426
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1313.
Carter High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
210 N Carter School Rd
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3434
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
(865) 933-3434
Gr: 9-12 | 749 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
419 West Dumplin Valley Rd
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 397-9385
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 397-9385
Gr: 11-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 16%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, TN?
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, TN include Dandridge Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School and Piedmont Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
14 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What percentage of students in Jefferson County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jefferson County include: Jefferson Middle School vs. Maury Middle School, Maury Middle School vs. Jefferson Middle School, Mount Horeb Elementary School vs. Dandridge Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
