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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Carter County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,428 students in Carter County, TN (there are 1 private school, serving 6 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Carter County, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Carter County, TN are West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carter County, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Carter County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Carter County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1310 Burgie St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8030
Gr: K-5 | 367 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Valley Forge Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1485 Riverview Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Gr: PK-5 | 186 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
T A Dugger Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
305 West E St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8025
Gr: 6-8 | 619 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 Siam Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Harold Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
226 Cedar Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8020
Gr: K-5 | 341 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Elizabethton High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
907 Jason Witten Way
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8015
Gr: 9-12 | 886 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Cloudland High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
476 Cloudland Dr
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5300
Gr: 7-12 | 236 students Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #88.
Cloudland Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8540 Highway 19 East
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Gr: PK-6 | 262 students Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
408 Hwy 321
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Gr: PK-8 | 662 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1010.
Hunter Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
145 Hope St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4074
Gr: K-8 | 498 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1111.
Happy Valley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
163 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4070
Gr: 5-8 | 354 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1212.
Happy Valley High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
121 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4094
Gr: 9-12 | 449 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1313.
Unaka High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
119 Robinson Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 284 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1414.
Hampton High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 725-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 368 students Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1515.
Unaka Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Gr: PK-8 | 194 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Carter County Alternative School
Alternative School
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Gr: 5-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Carter County, TN?
The top-ranked public schools in Carter County, TN include West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Carter County?
17 public schools are located in Carter County.
What percentage of students in Carter County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Carter County are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carter County?
Carter County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Carter County are often viewed compared to one another?

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