The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in Science. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Roane County Virtual Academy
Roane County Virtual Academy is a full-time online public school serving kindergarten through twelfth grade, operated by the Roane County school district. It is not a homeschool supplement or a hybrid program; it is the student’s official school, and students take Tennessee state assessments in person. With an enrollment that is relatively small for a KG-12 school, it offers a deliberately different structure from the district’s brick-and-mortar buildings. The student body is primarily white, reflecting the broader demographics of Roane County. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals was not available, and the school does not report the percentage of students with disabilities or English learners in the data examined.
State testing results for grades three through eight provide a picture of how this virtual setting currently performs on TNReady. In math, a small share of tested students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, results were somewhat higher but still below what many parents would hope to see. Science proficiency was stronger, with a notably larger portion of students meeting the bar. Social studies proficiency came in below science but above math. The testing cohort is small, which means a handful of students can shift these percentages noticeably year to year. Data for high-school-level end-of-course exams was not available in the material reviewed, so a full picture of academic performance across all grade bands is incomplete.
A graduation rate for the school was not reported in the data provided. Since the school serves twelfth grade and graduates students, this metric would be valuable for families. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its four-year graduation rate and postsecondary outcomes for its seniors.
Roane County Virtual Academy is housed administratively at the district office on Roane State Highway in Harriman, not at a separate campus. Harriman itself is a small city at the boundary of the Tennessee Valley and the Cumberland Plateau, built as a planned temperance town in the late nineteenth century. Its population has gradually declined over recent decades, and the economic base has shifted away from the paper mill and hosiery mills that once defined the area. Today, healthcare providers, the community college, and retail and service jobs anchor the local economy. The city retains a quiet downtown with a historic theater and riverfront park, and it sits within commuting distance of Knoxville via Interstate 40. Housing values in the area are below the state average, and rents are modest, which may factor into a family’s decision about relocating for a virtual school.
No parent-relevant changes for the Roane County district were identified in available sources, so a reader should check directly with the district for any updates to virtual school policies, enrollment caps, or curriculum shifts.
This school fits families who have decided that a full-time virtual classroom is the right environment for their student, whether for medical reasons, learning style, travel, or preference. The academic data shows room for growth, particularly in math and reading, and the small testing roster means year-to-year results can vary. For a family considering this option, a conversation with the school about its approach to instruction, student engagement, and support for struggling learners would be a practical next step.
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