Summary:
The schools in Polk County, Tennessee, serve a predominantly white student population across 7 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. While some standout schools like Copper Basin High School and Benton Elementary perform well above the county and state averages in certain subjects, the district as a whole struggles to meet state benchmarks, indicating a need for targeted interventions and support.
The data reveals a disparity in academic performance across the schools, with Copper Basin High School ranking among the top 104 high schools in Tennessee and Benton Elementary ranking in the top 520 elementary schools, while the other schools lag behind. Interestingly, higher spending per student does not necessarily translate to better outcomes, as seen in the case of Polk Innovative Learning Academy, which has the lowest spending per student but also the lowest performance.
The racial homogeneity of the student populations across the schools is noteworthy, with the percentage of white students ranging from 93.79% to 97.74%. This lack of diversity may warrant further investigation into the factors contributing to this demographic composition. Additionally, the unique virtual learning model and small class sizes at Polk Innovative Learning Academy provide valuable insights into effective strategies for supporting students who require alternative educational settings.
Thank you for your feedback!