The top reported proficiency rate is 13% in Social studies. The lowest is 12% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Coker Creek Elementary
Coker Creek Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in the unincorporated community of Coker Creek, part of the larger Tellico Plains area in Monroe County, Tennessee. The school is one of several operated by Monroe County Schools, which runs Tellico Plains Elementary, Junior High, and High School as well. Coker Creek Elementary itself is a small building that houses all grades from kindergarten up, with an enrollment that makes it one of the smaller schools in the county.
The student body is overwhelmingly white, with a very small number of Hispanic students and an even smaller number of students identifying as two or more races. No students of other racial or ethnic backgrounds were enrolled at the time of data collection. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available, so a parent should check directly with the school to understand the support programs in place.
Academically, the school’s performance on the state’s TNReady assessments is a notable soft spot. In math, English language arts, and science, roughly one in eight students scored at the proficient level or above, and in social studies the rate was similar. Participation was universal, so those results reflect nearly every tested student. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages performance across subjects, placed it below the midpoint compared to the other districts in Monroe County. The county itself has only two districts, so that position indicates that Coker Creek Elementary’s results lag behind the other district’s schools. Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to consider.
Tellico Plains, the closest named town, is a small rural place originally founded as a lumber town and now oriented toward tourism connected to the Cherohala Skyway and the Cherokee National Forest. The population has declined in recent decades, and the town covers a very compact area. Housing values in the broader zip code are below the Tennessee median, making the area a relatively affordable market. The school itself sits on Ruritan Road outside the town’s small core, typical of a rural setting where residential and civic functions are spread out. The local economy is driven by outdoor recreation and small businesses; Monroe County Schools is likely one of the larger area employers. The community’s civic anchors include a town square, the Charles Hall Museum, and a walking path, but there is no public transit.
Monroe County Schools, as a district, did not have any major recent changes reported in publicly available sources, and no strategic priorities or new initiatives are documented here.
Coker Creek Elementary provides a standard academic program for a K-8 school, but the test results are low and warrant a close look from any family considering it. The small size means class sections are likely very small, and the school may offer a tight-knit environment where staff know every student. A parent should investigate what academic supports are available, how the school is addressing proficiency gaps, and whether the lack of reported data on free lunch, special education, and English learners reflects a reporting issue or limited programs. For families rooted in this rural, outdoor-oriented area who value a small community school and are willing to engage deeply with the school on academic improvement, Coker Creek Elementary could be a fit. For those seeking stronger state-test performance or broader program offerings, it may not meet expectations without further inquiry.
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