For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,428 students in Carter County, TN (there are , serving 19 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Carter County, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Carter County, TN are West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carter County, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Carter County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Carter County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1310 Burgie St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8030
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8030
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #22.
Valley Forge Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1485 Riverview Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Grades: PK-5
| 214 students
Rank: #33.
T A Dugger Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
305 West E St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8025
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8025
Grades: 6-8
| 623 students
Rank: #44.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 Siam Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Grades: PK-5
| 462 students
Rank: #55.
Harold Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
226 Cedar Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8020
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8020
Grades: K-5
| 363 students
Rank: #66.
Elizabethton High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
907 Jason Witten Way
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8015
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8015
Grades: 9-12
| 879 students
Rank: #77.
Cloudland High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
476 Cloudland Dr
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5300
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5300
Grades: 7-12
| 245 students
Rank: #88.
Cloudland Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8540 Highway 19 East
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Grades: PK-6
| 267 students
Rank: #99.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
408 Hwy 321
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Grades: PK-8
| 622 students
Rank: #1010.
Hunter Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
145 Hope St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4074
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4074
Grades: K-8
| 519 students
Rank: #1111.
Happy Valley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
163 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4070
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4070
Grades: 5-8
| 361 students
Rank: #1212.
Happy Valley High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
121 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4094
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4094
Grades: 9-12
| 450 students
Rank: #1313.
Unaka High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
119 Robinson Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4100
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4100
Grades: 9-12
| 309 students
Rank: #1414.
Hampton High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
766 1st St
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5200
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5200
Grades: 9-12
| 395 students
Rank: #1515.
Unaka Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Grades: PK-8
| 213 students
Rank: #1616.
Carter County Online Academy
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-2407
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-2407
Grades: 4-12
| 83 students
Rank: n/an/a
Siam Learning Center
Alternative School
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Grades: 5-12
| 61 students
Carter County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
416 South Sycamore St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4084
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4084
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
104 Hudson
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8035
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8035
Grades: PK
| 74 students
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4047
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4047
Grades: PK-8
| 212 students
655 Watauga Rd
Watauga, TN 37694
(423) 547-4037
Watauga, TN 37694
(423) 547-4037
Grades: PK-8
| 111 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Carter County, TN?
The top ranked public schools in Carter County, TN include West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Carter County?
17 public schools are located in Carter County.
What percentage of students in Carter County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Carter County are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carter County?
Carter County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Carter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carter County include: Hampton High School vs. Elizabethton High School, Happy Valley High School vs. Elizabethton High School, East Side Elementary School vs. Harold Mccormick Elementary School
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