For families considering a move to Knoxville, schools are often an important part of deciding where to buy a home. The 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight several Knox County elementary schools for their academic performance.
The rankings evaluated 49 of the district’s 55 elementary schools, providing a starting point for families comparing schools and neighborhoods throughout Knoxville.
Top-Ranked Elementary Schools in Knoxville
According to the 2025 rankings, Sequoyah Elementary earned the highest placement among Knox County elementary schools.
- Sequoyah Elementary School: Ranked #25 in Tennessee. The school serves approximately 500 students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of about 17:1.
- Blue Grass Elementary School: Ranked #65 in Tennessee.
- Farragut Intermediate School: Ranked #70 in Tennessee.
- Rocky Hill Elementary School: Ranked #81 in Tennessee.
- Bearden Elementary School: Ranked #87 in Tennessee.
These schools were recognized for their performance in reading and mathematics. While rankings are useful for comparing academic results, families should also consider school programs and their children’s individual needs.
How U.S. News Ranks Elementary Schools
U.S. News & World Report uses state assessment results in reading and mathematics to evaluate elementary schools.
The methodology considers overall test performance and how students perform relative to expectations based on socioeconomic factors.
Rankings offer one way to compare schools, but they don’t measure every aspect of a student’s educational experience.
Knoxville Neighborhoods Near Top-Ranked Elementary Schools
For families relocating to Knoxville, understanding the neighborhoods surrounding these schools can help narrow down a home search.
Sequoyah Hills
Sequoyah Elementary serves portions of Sequoyah Hills, one of Knoxville’s historic neighborhoods. The area is known for its distinctive homes, tree-lined streets, and Sequoyah Park along the Tennessee River.
Located just west of downtown, Sequoyah Hills also provides access to the University of Tennessee and UT Medical Center.
Blue Grass
Blue Grass Elementary is located in West Knoxville, surrounded by established residential neighborhoods. The area offers a mix of traditional homes and newer developments, with shopping and everyday services nearby.
Farragut
Farragut is a suburban community west of Knoxville with established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, and several community parks.
Farragut Intermediate serves grades 3–5, so families with younger children should also check which school serves kindergarten through second grade for their address.
Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill is a residential area in West Knoxville with a mix of older homes and newer construction. Residents have access to Northshore Drive, nearby shopping centers, and several parks.
Bearden
Bearden is a central West Knoxville area with established neighborhoods and convenient access to Kingston Pike. The community includes local restaurants, shopping, and a variety of housing options.
Checking School Zones Before Buying a Home
School attendance zones are an important consideration when purchasing a home in Knoxville. Even properties within the same neighborhood may be assigned to different schools.
Before making a decision, use the Knox County Schools online address lookup tool to confirm the elementary, middle, and high schools assigned to a specific property.
School boundaries and assignments can change, so it’s important to verify current information directly with the district.