Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public High Schools in Knox County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Knox County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public high schools serving 19,029 students in Knox County, TN.
The top-ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN are L N Stem Academy, Farragut High School and Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Knox County, TN public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Tennessee public high school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 40% statewide average). High schools in Knox County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Tennessee public high schools.
Knox County, TN public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the Tennessee average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Farragut High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Tennessee or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high school average of 42% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Knox County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
L N Stem Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
800 World's Fair Park Dr
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 329-8440
Gr: 9-12 | 588 students Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Farragut High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
11237 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9775
Gr: 9-12 | 2,073 students Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
535 Chickamauga Avenue Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 525-0069
Gr: 9-12 | 95 students Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
Bearden High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8352 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 539-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,963 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
Hardin Valley Academy
(Math: 27% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11345 Hardin Valley Rd
Knoxville, TN 37932
(865) 690-9690
Gr: 9-12 | 1,916 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
West High School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3300 Sutherland Ave
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 594-4477
Gr: 9-12 | 1,474 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Career Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7201 Strawberry Plains Pike
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1731
Gr: 9-12 | 359 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Halls High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4321 East Emory Rd
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7757
Gr: 9-12 | 1,236 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Gibbs High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7628 Tazewell Pike
Corryton, TN 37721
(865) 689-9130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,029 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Central High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5321 Jacksboro Pike
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,265 students Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1111.
Powell High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2136 West Emory Rd
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-2171
Gr: 9-12 | 1,253 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
Karns High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2710 Byington Solway Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-8670
Gr: 9-12 | 1,365 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1313.
South Doyle High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2020 Tipton Station Rd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 577-4475
Gr: 9-12 | 925 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1414.
Knox Adaptive Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5719 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Gr: PK-12 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1515.
Fulton High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2509 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-1240
Gr: 9-12 | 933 students Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Ridgedale Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4600 Ridgedale Rd
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 909-9099
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Tennessee School For The Deaf High School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1818.
Austin East High/magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2800 M L King Jr Ave
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-3792
Gr: 9-12 | 663 students Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1919.
Richard Yoakley School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4415 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3790
Gr: 6-12 | 81 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
Knox County Virtual School
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 622-3902
Gr: 1-12 | 359 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Park Technology And Trade Center
535 Chicamauga Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 689-1454
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Tennessee Virtual Junior High School
1924 Dutch Valley Dr
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 992-9026
Gr: 7-9 | 856 students Minority enrollment: 43%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN?
The top-ranked public high schools in Knox County, TN include L N Stem Academy, Farragut High School and Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy.
How many public high schools are located in Knox County?
21 public high schools are located in Knox County.
What is the racial composition of students in Knox County?
Knox County public high schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Knox County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (TN):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?

More Articles

Evaluating Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies
Local School Topics
Opinion