For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public middle schools serving 14,482 students in Knox County, TN.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Knox County, TN are Farragut Middle School, West Valley Middle School and Hardin Valley Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Knox County, TN public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Tennessee public middle school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 34% statewide average). Middle schools in Knox County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Tennessee public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public middle school average of 40% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Knox County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Farragut Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
200 West End Ave
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9756
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 966-9756
Gr: 6-8 | 1,463 student Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
West Valley Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9118 George Williams Rd
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 539-5145
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 539-5145
Gr: 6-8 | 1,125 student Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Hardin Valley Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2280 Steele
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Gr: 6-8 | 1,061 student Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Karns Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2925 Gray Hendrix Rd
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7732
Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 539-7732
Gr: 6-8 | 900 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Powell Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3329 West Emory Rd
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-9008
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-9008
Gr: 6-8 | 810 students Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
Bearden Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Francis Rd
Knoxville, TN 37909
(865) 539-7839
Knoxville, TN 37909
(865) 539-7839
Gr: 6-8 | 1,229 student Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Gresham Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Gresham Rd
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1430
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 689-1430
Gr: 6-8 | 788 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
Cedar Bluff Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
707 North Cedar Bluff Rd
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7891
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 539-7891
Gr: 6-8 | 580 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #99.
Gibbs Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7625 Tazewell
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Knoxville, TN 37901
(865) 594-1800
Gr: 6-8 | 609 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
Halls Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4317 East Emory Rd
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7494
Knoxville, TN 37938
(865) 922-7494
Gr: 6-8 | 945 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1111.
Emerald Academy
Charter School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
220 Carrick St
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 637-3227
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 637-3227
Gr: K-8 | 451 students Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1212.
South Doyle Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3900 Decatur Rd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2133
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2133
Gr: 6-8 | 830 students Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1313.
Holston Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 Chilhowee Dr
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 594-1300
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 594-1300
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1414.
Whittle Springs Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2700 White Oak Ln
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-4474
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-4474
Gr: 6-8 | 466 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1515.
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: #1616.
Northwest Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Pleasant Ridge Rd
Knoxville, TN 37912
(865) 594-1345
Knoxville, TN 37912
(865) 594-1345
Gr: 6-8 | 798 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1717.
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: #1818.
Vine Middle/magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1807 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 594-4461
Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 594-4461
Gr: 6-8 | 382 students Minority enrollment: 85%
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
Tennessee School For The Deaf Middle School
Special Education School
2527 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2507
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2507
Gr: 6-8 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 45%
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 middle schools in Knox County, TN?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Knox County, TN include Farragut Middle School, West Valley Middle School and Hardin Valley Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Knox County?
22 public middle schools are located in Knox County.
What is the racial composition of students in Knox County?
Knox County public middle schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public middle schools average of 40% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Knox County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Knox County include: Richard Yoakley School vs. Ridgedale Alternative School, Ridgedale Alternative School vs. Richard Yoakley School, West Valley Middle School vs. Farragut Middle School
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