Education

Empowering Minds: Education and Schools in Our Community

Exceptional Educational Excellence for Your Children's Future

You'll discover that Knox County Schools and Knoxville's private educational institutions offer a caliber of academic excellence that rivals any metropolitan area, with the added advantages of smaller class sizes, genuine community involvement, and educators who know your children by name. The district's remarkable achievement of a 93% graduation rate (2024)—up from 90% the previous year—speaks to a system actively improving outcomes. Five of the district’s 18 high schools rank in Tennessee’s Top 100, including L&N STEM Academy at #6 statewide and #310 nationally with a 99% graduation rate. The Class of 2024 collectively earned $179 million in scholarships, underscoring a culture where students excel and move on to prestigious universities nationwide.

Public Schools: A Foundation of Excellence

Knox County Schools, Tennessee's 3rd-largest district and the nation’s 68th largest, serves 60,000+ students across 94 schools with a mission to prepare every student for college, career, or military service. The district counts 18 Tennessee Reward Schools for high performance and growth, and recently approved $66 million for facilities and innovative programming. With 121 languages & dialects spoken, students gain global perspective alongside academic rigor.

93% graduation rate, above state and national averages
18 Tennessee Reward Schools recognized for excellence
L&N STEM Academy: #6 in TN, 99% grad rate, 78% AP participation
Farragut High School: #13 statewide, 95.7% TCAP score
West High School: Knox County’s only International Baccalaureate (IB) program
Hardin Valley Academy: ~2,050 students, 95% grad rate, 80.9% state assessment
Bearden High: Robust AP offerings with extensive college credit options
1:1 Chromebook access for all students
Expanding STEM, arts integration, and language immersion programs

Top Elementary and Middle Schools

Foundational excellence begins at standout elementaries and middle schools that consistently outperform state averages. Sequoyah Elementary, Blue Grass Elementary, and Rocky Hill Elementary lead the district, while Farragut Middle School delivers one of the state’s strongest preparatory programs. Districtwide initiatives include gifted services, accelerated math pathways (Algebra I by 8th grade), and comprehensive arts education. Early literacy and math outcomes are rising—third-grade reading proficiency up 9% over three years; fourth-grade math proficiency up 6%.

Sequoyah Elementary: Top-ranked with strong parent engagement
Blue Grass Elementary: Excellence in early childhood education
Rocky Hill Elementary: Innovative STEM programming
Farragut Middle: Advanced tracks & enrichment
Gifted & Talented programs with specialized curriculum
Expanding dual-language immersion across the district
Project-based learning that builds critical thinking
Robust special education services with individualized support

Private School Excellence for Physician Families

For families seeking independent options, Knoxville’s private schools provide small classes, advanced facilities, and exceptional college outcomes.

Webb School of Knoxville (PreK–12, $20,000–$28,000): 100% college acceptance; state-of-the-art STEM labs; FIRST Robotics world-level success; global programs; strong arts, athletics, leadership; typical class size 12–15.
Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) (PreK–12, $12,000–$18,000): College-prep with biblical worldview; ~98% college acceptance; AP & dual enrollment; championship athletics; robust arts & STEM.
Knoxville Catholic High School (9–12, $13,000–$15,000): Exceptional college placement; rigorous liberal arts & sciences; championship athletics; service & leadership focus.

Additional Private School Options

Choices span faith traditions, pedagogies, and support needs—so each child can thrive.

Concord Christian School (K–12, ~$8,000–$12,000): Strong academics & character development
Episcopal School of Knoxville: Progressive Episcopal education
Knoxville Montessori School: Authentic Montessori (18 months–18 years)
Berean Christian: Support for learning differences (e.g., dyslexia)
Sacred Heart Cathedral School: Largest Catholic elementary, strong STEM
Grace Christian Academy, Knoxville Christian School, St. John Neumann (Spanish immersion)
Paideia Academy: Classical Christian model
Multiple Montessori options & specialized therapeutic schools

Educational Investments and Innovation

The district is investing in transformative initiatives, not just maintaining the status quo. A $66 million allocation funds facilities and programming, including a new K–8 school (capacity: 1,600) with advanced academics, STEM, and arts integration. Responsive leadership is expanding language immersion, outdoor classrooms, debate programs, and technology beyond basic device access.

$66M for new facilities & programs
New K–8 school: ~1,000 elementary & 600 middle seats
Expansion of the L&N STEM Academy-style innovation
Language immersion in Spanish, Mandarin, French
Arts integration across grades
Outdoor education & environmental science tracks
Advanced tech integration beyond 1:1 programs
CTE pathways in healthcare, engineering, technology

Advanced Placement and College Credit Opportunities

High schools offer abundant college-credit pathways. L&N STEM reaches 78% AP participation, West High offers the IB Diploma Programme, and dual enrollment with UT and Pellissippi State allows graduates to finish with 30+ college credits. AP pass rates exceed state and national averages, with additional recognition of Cambridge AS/A Levels for UT credit.

20+ AP courses at top high schools
IB Diploma at West High
Dual enrollment for transcripted college credit
59% of Farragut students take at least one AP exam
AP pass rates above state & national averages
Cambridge AS/A Levels accepted for UT credit
Early college and associate-degree pathways
Guaranteed UT admission for qualifying TN students

University of Tennessee: Your Backyard Research Powerhouse

Minutes from home, the University of Tennessee offers 360+ degree programs across 12 colleges, with strengths in engineering, business, nuclear science, and healthcare. A guaranteed admission policy (e.g., 24+ ACT with qualifying subscores & 3.0+ GPA) supports planning, while in-state tuition delivers exceptional value. Programs like summer STEM camps and Saturday enrichment welcome K–12 students.

360+ undergraduate degree programs
Guaranteed admission for qualifying TN residents
In-state tuition value
73% graduation rate & strong job placement
Top-ranked in nuclear engineering, supply chain, business
Honors programs with small seminars
Undergraduate research opportunities
96% employed or in grad school within six months

Continuing Education and Professional Development

For physicians and spouses, UT’s ecosystem enables lifelong growth: UT College of Medicine CME and collaboration, executive MBAs, healthcare administration and public health degrees, and extensive professional certificates and non-degree programs—plus Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for personal enrichment.

UT College of Medicine education & research
Graduate programs in 500+ fields
Executive/Professional MBA options
Healthcare Administration & Public Health degrees
CME offerings for clinicians
Professional certificates & short courses
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Research collaboration opportunities

Educational Support and Enrichment

Beyond school walls, Knoxville provides a rich support network: the Knox County Library System (19 branches) offers homework help, STEM programs, and summer reading; private tutoring and test prep are widely available; music, arts, and athletics programming opens doors to scholarships and lifelong passions.

Knox County Library System youth programming
Private tutoring & test prep services
Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra & private instruction
Competitive teams: Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Debate
Year-round athletics & elite training options
Art classes at the Knoxville Museum of Art
STEM camps & coding academies
Theatre programs & performance opportunities

Knoxville delivers what physician-parents seek: academic rigor that opens doors to top universities, enrichment that nurtures individual talents, and a supportive community where students grow into confident, well-rounded leaders. Whether you choose top public options, elite private schools like Webb, or a blended path, you'll find an educational landscape that exceeds expectations while preserving the warmth and individual attention often lost in larger metros.