The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Social studies. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on East Knox Elementary
East Knox Elementary, a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade, sits in Mascot, a predominantly rural community just outside Knoxville. Mascot was originally a company town built around zinc mining, and that industrial heritage remains visible today in the large quarries and the Eastbridge Business Park, a federally designated opportunity zone housing factories for Exedy America, Timken RBS, and Lifetime Products. The community has a quiet, residential feel with no traditional downtown or walkable commercial center; schools and civic functions are located on separated campuses. The school itself is part of Knox County Schools, a large district that has recently shifted toward a structured phonics-based literacy curriculum and saw a county property tax increase approved several years ago to support school funding.
Enrollment at East Knox Elementary is modest for an elementary school serving seven grade levels, with a student body that is predominantly white and where Hispanic and Black students together make up a noticeable share. Rates for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch were not available in the data, so a parent looking to understand the economic makeup of the student population would need to ask the school directly. Special population counts, including students with disabilities and English learners, were also not reported.
State testing data from the most recent year, produced by Tennessee’s TNReady assessments, shows proficiency rates that sit below the midpoint among Knox County’s elementary schools when averaged across subjects. In math, the share of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level was modest. In English language arts, the rate was a bit higher but still well below the district’s strongest performers. Science proficiency was similar in range. Because the school serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available for comparison. A parent considering this school will want to discuss academic supports and how the school is working to move those numbers, particularly in math and reading.
The community’s housing market reflects a typical blend for an exurban Knox County location. Home values fall below the state average and sit well below national figures, making this a relatively affordable entry point for families who work in the Knoxville area or at the nearby industrial parks. Rents are less expensive than a mortgage payment for a typical home, which could matter for families still building a down payment. The area has seen steady, modest population growth over the past several census counts, and the presence of a large business park gives the area an economic anchor, but no major new residential subdivisions were identified in available sources.
Access to civic amenities is limited within Mascot itself. There is a local park, and the Holson River offers a boat ramp and recreational access. No public library or public transit service was identified. For families who value proximity to nature and a quiet, rural residential setting, this area delivers that, but a trip to Knoxville will be needed for most shopping, dining, and cultural destinations.
Overall, East Knox Elementary is a school where a family will find a mid-sized elementary environment in a rural-industrial community with below-average state test scores and a district that is actively changing its reading instruction. The data available does not cover discipline, staffing ratios, or program offerings like gifted or arts enrichment, so a parent with specific interests in those areas should reach out to the school directly. For a family looking for an affordable, quiet setting within commuting distance of Knoxville and willing to engage with the school on academic improvement, this may be a fit worth exploring.
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