The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Science. The lowest is 69% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Blue Grass Elementary
Blue Grass Elementary serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Knox County, part of the Knoxville metropolitan area. The school is a regular public elementary school, not a charter or magnet institution. Its enrollment is large for an elementary school, with classes spread across each grade level from kindergarten through fifth grade. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students who are Asian, Hispanic, Black, or identify as two or more races. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available; a parent may want to ask the school about the economic diversity of the student population. Data on the proportion of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was also not reported.
On Tennessee state assessments, the school posted strong results. In math, a substantial majority of students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, the share of students reaching proficiency was similarly strong. Science results were also high, with a large majority of students meeting the proficiency bar. Social studies data is only available from an earlier year and used a different test and cut scores, so it is not directly comparable to the current results. Participation in state testing was complete, meaning nearly every student took the exams. When compared to other school districts in Knox County, a group that includes a small number of districts, Blue Grass Elementary's overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it at the top of that field. That comparison is based on the school's combined performance across subjects, and it reflects a notably strong academic standing within the county context.
The school sits within Knox County Schools, a large district that has recently shifted its elementary literacy instruction toward structured phonics and the science of reading. That curriculum change affects how reading is taught at Blue Grass Elementary. The district also underwent a county property tax increase in recent years that funds county operations including schools, which may be relevant for local property owners.
Knoxville itself is a mid-sized city that blends a revitalized downtown with large institutional and corporate employers. The University of Tennessee's flagship campus is integrated into the city near downtown, and the Tennessee Valley Authority is headquartered there, along with several national companies. The city has seen steady regional growth, and downtown revitalization has been a focus since a past World's Fair spurred redevelopment. The housing market in the area reflects home values that are higher than the state average and close to the national benchmark, while rents are moderate relative to incomes. The local economy has been stable, with unemployment rates around national averages.
For a parent considering this school, the academic picture is one of consistent, strong performance on state assessments across multiple subjects, placing the school among the top performers in its county. The school is large, which may mean a wider range of peer groups and school activities, though specific program offerings or enrichment opportunities are not detailed in the available data. The absence of reported information on economic diversity, special education services, and English learner supports means a family with specific needs in those areas should follow up directly with the school. The broader Knoxville context offers a mix of urban and suburban living, steady employment from major employers, and a housing market that is relatively expensive compared to the rest of the state.
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