Best Public Schools in Cleveland, TN

The city of Cleveland, Tennessee is home to 25 schools, including 17 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 2 alternative schools, spread across the Cleveland and Bradley County school districts. While the district rankings vary, with Cleveland ranking 117 out of 139 and Bradley County ranking 56 out of 139, the data reveals a mix of high-performing and low-performing schools in the area.

Among the standout schools are North Lee Elementary School, which ranks 159 out of 1,008 elementary schools in Tennessee and has a 4-star rating, as well as Michigan Avenue Elementary School, which ranks 99 out of 1,008 and has a perfect 5-star rating. At the secondary level, Walker Valley High School and Ocoee Middle School also stand out with 4-star ratings and strong academic performance.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic achievement, with some schools, such as Blythe-Bower Elementary and Arnold Memorial Elementary, struggling with proficiency rates well below the state and district averages. The correlation between higher spending and lower performance suggests that simply increasing funding may not be the solution, and addressing equity issues, particularly related to the racial composition of the student body, could be key priorities for the district moving forward.