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