The top reported proficiency rate is 74% in Science. The lowest is 65% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Rocky Hill Elementary
Rocky Hill Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in Knoxville, part of Knox County Schools. It is a mid-sized elementary school for its grade band, with enrollment distributed fairly evenly across each grade level. The school sits within the city of Knoxville, a mid-sized city that blends a revitalized downtown, the University of Tennessee flagship campus, and major corporate headquarters including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Pilot Company, and Clayton Homes.
Academically, Rocky Hill Elementary posts strong results on Tennessee’s TNReady assessments. In math, roughly two-thirds of students scored at proficient or above, while in English language arts the share was higher. Science performance was the strongest of the three tested subjects, with about three-quarters of students meeting proficiency. All three of these results place the school’s overall proficiency index well above the median among districts in Knox County, in the top quartile. Social studies data comes from several years ago and reflects a different assessment and proficiency cut score, so it is not directly comparable to current results and a parent should not rely on it for today’s picture. Participation rates on state tests were complete, meaning nearly every student was tested, which adds confidence to the reported performance.
The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic enrollment that makes up a little over one in ten students. Smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students are also represented. Data on students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor were counts of students with individualized education programs or English learners. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its support for students with special needs and the share of families using meal assistance, as those are common factors in understanding the school’s overall context.
The school is located in a part of Knoxville where housing values are above the national median. The typical home in the area is valued substantially above the Tennessee state benchmark, reflecting a relatively affluent suburban setting within the broader Knoxville metro. Rents are also above average, and the area has seen modest year-over-year home value growth. The national unemployment rate has remained stable, and while median household income nationally has risen gradually, the local housing market suggests that many families in this attendance zone are likely financially comfortable.
Knox County Schools, the district overseeing Rocky Hill Elementary, has undertaken a district-wide shift toward a balanced literacy approach with structured phonics instruction, aligning with Tennessee’s emphasis on the science of reading. This change affects how early reading is taught and can be expected to influence literacy outcomes for elementary students in the coming years. Separately, Knox County approved a property tax increase in 2022 to fund county operations including schools, which has a lasting effect on local property owners and school funding levels.
The school’s academic proficiency is a clear strength, especially in science and English language arts. The absence of data on chronic absenteeism and on student discipline means a parent cannot assess those aspects from this report, though the high test participation rate suggests good overall attendance on testing days. Because Rocky Hill Elementary serves only grades K-5, there is no graduation rate to consider. The school is not a charter or magnet school, so its program is the standard Knox County curriculum.
For a family looking at this school, the takeaway is straightforward: Rocky Hill Elementary delivers consistently high state test results relative to other schools in Knox County, in a community with above-average housing costs and a stable economic base. The main gaps are missing information on student poverty rates, special education services, and English learner supports, which matter for some families and are worth exploring with the school directly. The district’s reading curriculum change and the 2022 property tax increase are broader context that may affect long-term instruction and local funding.
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