The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Laurel Elementary
Laurel Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through sixth grade in the unincorporated mountain community of Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. It is part of the Johnson County district and is the only school in the area that serves these early grades. With a small enrollment, the school occupies a role as both an educational and civic anchor in a place that has no downtown and few concentrated services.
On state assessments, the picture is mixed. In math, proficiency rates were low, meaning a relatively small share of students met the state's benchmark. English language arts fared better, landing at a moderate level, with a larger share of students reaching proficiency. Science results were on the lower side. Data for social studies was suppressed, likely because too few students were tested to report publicly. These are the results for the all-students group; the school does not appear to have enough students in specific subgroups to report separately. Parents looking at these numbers should be aware that the school’s small size means that a handful of students can shift rates noticeably, and they may want to ask the school about its academic interventions and how it supports students who are below grade level.
The student body is nearly all white, reflecting the demographics of the surrounding Appalachian community. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor were data on students with disabilities or English learners. The absence of these figures is a gap, and a parent may want to inquire directly with the school about the support structures in place.
Laurel Elementary sits along Highway 91 in a rural, mountainous setting where homes and small businesses are scattered along the road and side lanes like Gentry Creek Road. There is no traditional walkable downtown. The area is known for hiking trails, including Laurel Creek Trail and Gentry Falls Trail, and the Old Mill Music Park hosts an annual Old Time Fiddler’s Convention. The volunteer fire department and the school itself are the main civic fixtures. There is no public library or transit system in the community. Middle and high school students attend schools in Mountain City, the county seat, about a short drive away. Home values in the surrounding area are modest compared to both state and national medians, which may be a consideration for families weighing housing costs.
The district has no recent, publicly reported changes of note, and the school itself appears to be a longstanding neighborhood institution. No program offerings, course access, discipline data, or staffing information were included in the data, so many aspects of day-to-day school life are not described here. A family considering Laurel Elementary is looking at a very small, rural school in a quiet mountain setting, where academic outcomes vary by subject and the community is tight-knit but spread out. It would likely suit families who value proximity to nature, a small school environment, and a low-key community, and who are comfortable following up on academic support details directly with the school.
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