South Polk Elementary

Summary:

South Polk Elementary is a public elementary school in Old Fort, Tennessee, serving 331 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 99 out of 139 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

South Polk Elementary has some notable strengths, including a relatively low student-teacher ratio ranging from 12.5 to 15 students per teacher, and higher spending per student ($10,358 in 2020-2021) compared to surrounding schools. The school also generally performs better than the Polk County average on state assessments, though its performance is often below the state average. However, the school's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from 242 out of 985 Tennessee elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 517 out of 983 in 2020-2021, which is concerning.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Michigan Avenue Elementary School in Bradley County, South Polk Elementary generally performs better on state assessments, particularly in Mathematics and Science. However, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with female students and white students outperforming their peers. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of low-socioeconomic status students, who have performed well compared to the state and district averages, suggesting the school may be effectively supporting these students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 964 Old Federal RD
       Old Fort, TN  37362


(423) 338-4512

District: Polk County

SchoolDigger Rank:
488th of 1,018 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,349 Help


Students who attend South Polk Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Chilhowee Middle School
High:    Polk County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  341

Racial breakdown:

White:
97.4%
Hispanic:
1.8%
African American:
0.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Polk Elementary ranks better than 52.1% of elementary schools in Tennessee. It also ranks first among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Polk County School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.73. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (97.4%), Hispanic (1.8%), African American (0.9%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Polk Elementary is 16.6, which is the highest among 3 elementary schools in the Polk County School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare South Polk Elementary employs 20.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Polk Elementary is $6,349, which is the lowest among 3 elementary schools in the Polk County School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Polk Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks South Polk Elementary 488th of 1018 Tennessee public elementary schools. (See South Polk Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Polk County:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk County 91st of 140 Tennessee school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Polk Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2010 25.79 657th 809 18.8%
2011 42.56 522nd 818 36.2%
2012 62.06 323rd 820 60.6%
2013 38.63 673rd 846 20.4%
2014 49.46 445th 853 47.8%
2015 45.43 537th 855 37.2%
2017 34.87 465th 646 28.0%
2018 62.65 296th 997 70.3%
2019 67.74 242nd 985 75.4%
2021 43.63 517th 983 47.4%
2022 54.59 398th 1000 60.2%
2023 53.56 426th 1020 58.2%
2024 48.73 488th 1018 52.1%
See the entire list of Tennessee Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 47.50 186th 447 58.4%
2024 22.11 519th 582 10.8%
See the entire list of Best Tennessee Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.25 235th 877 73.2%
2019 66.97 161st 821 80.4%
2021 65.70 172nd 823 79.1%
2022 72.45 153rd 858 82.2%
2023 71.09 152nd 865 82.4%
2024 55.35 317th 853 62.8%
See the entire list of Best Tennessee Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 68.98 223rd 926 75.9%
2021 28.23 683rd 945 27.7%
2022 52.38 410th 975 57.9%
2023 55.95 370th 989 62.6%
2024 49.64 463rd 990 53.2%
See the entire list of Best Tennessee Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 60.06 289th 916 68.4%
2021 56.84 329th 941 65.0%
2022 53.54 387th 980 60.5%
2023 46.67 494th 987 49.9%
2024 45.89 516th 991 47.9%
See the entire list of Best Tennessee Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at South Polk Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.14 331st 841 60.6%
2019 59.12 275th 812 66.1%
2021 36.28 542nd 844 35.8%
2022 47.62 397th 844 53.0%
2023 41.95 484th 852 43.2%
2024 35.52 562nd 847 33.6%
See the entire list of Best Tennessee Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Tennessee Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Polk Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Tennessee Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Polk Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 438 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1989 433 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 433
1990 443 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 443
1991 428 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 428
1992 434 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1993 432 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1994 422 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 422
1995 446 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 446
1996 446 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 446
1997 478 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 11 489
1998 489 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a -1 489
1999 496 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 496
2000 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 519 519
2002 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 356 356
2003 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 356 356
2004 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 366 366
2005 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 396 396
2006 407 0 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 412
2007 407 1 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 417
2008 363 1 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 368
2009 382 5 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2010 363 4 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 372
2011 377 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 386
2012 353 0 0 7 1 0 2 0 363
2013 363 2 0 11 1 0 2 0 379
2014 364 2 0 12 0 0 0 0 378
2015 370 1 0 16 0 0 4 0 391
2016 338 1 0 18 0 0 1 0 358
2017 322 4 0 11 0 0 2 0 339
2018 310 1 0 19 0 0 1 0 331
2019 317 1 0 15 0 0 0 0 333
2020 329 2 1 11 0 0 4 0 347
2021 264 1 0 9 0 1 3 0 278
2022 283 2 1 6 0 1 2 0 295
2023 320 3 0 6 0 0 2 0 331
2024 332 3 0 6 0 0 0 0 341

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Polk Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 439 21.0 20.9 n/a
1989 433 21.0 20.6 n/a
1990 443 21.0 21.0 n/a
1991 428 22.0 19.4 n/a
1992 434 22.0 19.7 n/a
1993 432 22.0 19.6 n/a
1994 422 24.0 17.6 n/a
1995 446 24.0 18.6 n/a
1996 446 24.0 18.6 n/a
1997 489 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 489 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 496 n/a 0.0 n/a
2000 519 n/a 0.0 n/a
2002 356 n/a n/a n/a
2003 356 n/a n/a n/a
2004 366 n/a n/a n/a
2005 396 n/a n/a n/a
2006 412 23.7 17.4 n/a
2007 417 25.9 16.1 50.6
2008 368 26.3 14.0 57.3
2009 392 26.0 15.1 56.6
2010 372 23.1 16.0 70.4
2011 386 25.0 15.4 68.4
2012 363 25.0 14.5 71.3
2013 379 23.6 16.0 73.4
2014 378 22.4 16.8 62.7
2015 391 23.0 17.0 65.2
2016 358 23.0 15.5 73.2
2017 339 24.0 14.1 n/a
2018 331 21.0 15.7 n/a
2019 333 20.0 16.6 n/a
2020 347 21.0 16.5 n/a
2021 278 18.7 14.8 n/a
2022 295 23.5 12.5 n/a
2023 331 22.0 15.0 n/a
2024 341 20.5 16.6 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Polk Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 439 21.0 20.9 n/a
1989 433 21.0 20.6 n/a
1990 443 21.0 21.0 n/a
1991 428 22.0 19.4 n/a
1992 434 22.0 19.7 n/a
1993 432 22.0 19.6 n/a
1994 422 24.0 17.6 n/a
1995 446 24.0 18.6 n/a
1996 446 24.0 18.6 n/a
1997 489 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 489 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 496 n/a 0.0 n/a
2000 519 n/a 0.0 n/a
2002 356 n/a n/a n/a
2003 356 n/a n/a n/a
2004 366 n/a n/a n/a
2005 396 n/a n/a n/a
2006 412 23.7 17.4 n/a
2007 417 25.9 16.1 50.6
2008 368 26.3 14.0 57.3
2009 392 26.0 15.1 56.6
2010 372 23.1 16.0 70.4
2011 386 25.0 15.4 68.4
2012 363 25.0 14.5 71.3
2013 379 23.6 16.0 73.4
2014 378 22.4 16.8 62.7
2015 391 23.0 17.0 65.2
2016 358 23.0 15.5 73.2
2017 339 24.0 14.1 n/a
2018 331 21.0 15.7 n/a
2019 333 20.0 16.6 n/a
2020 347 21.0 16.5 n/a
2021 278 18.7 14.8 n/a
2022 295 23.5 12.5 n/a
2023 331 22.0 15.0 n/a
2024 341 20.5 16.6 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Polk Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $845 (14.0%) $4,505 (74.5%) $6,047
2020 $898 (10.3%) $7,283 (83.2%) $8,756
2021 $1,124 (10.9%) $8,541 (82.5%) $10,358
2022 $2,232 (16.9%) $10,081 (76.4%) $13,200
2023 $2,562 (40.4%) $3,113 (49.0%) $6,349

Data source: Tennessee Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Polk Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 242nd of 985 Elementary schoolsRanks 426th of 1020 Elementary schools
 17.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (South Polk Elementary)44.233.3
 10.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk County)50.434.2
 16.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Tennessee)43.840.5
 3.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Polk Elementary)26.939.2
 12.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk County)34.336.8
 2.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tennessee)36.940.5
 3.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (South Polk Elementary)55.952.6
 3.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Polk County)5054.3
 4.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Tennessee)4643.6
 2.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South Polk Elementary)47.563.2
 15.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk County)32.452.7
 20.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Tennessee)34.343.5
 9.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (South Polk Elementary)57.448.6
 8.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Polk County)48.546.4
 2.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Tennessee)46.241.3
 4.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South Polk Elementary)53.248.6
 4.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk County)40.236.5
 3.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Tennessee)35.237
 1.8%
All Grades Mathematics (South Polk Elementary)52.543.5
 9%
   All Grades Mathematics (Polk County)41.538.4
 3.1%
   All Grades Mathematics (Tennessee)40.838.1
 2.7%
All Grades English Language Arts (South Polk Elementary)42.449.2
 6.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Polk County)31.636.7
 5.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Tennessee)33.736.6
 2.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students333331
 0.6%
African American13
 200%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic156
 60%
Pacific Islander00
White317320
 0.9%
Two or More Races02


Schools Near South Polk Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about South Polk Elementary

Students who attend South Polk Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Chilhowee Middle School
High : Polk County High School

Students at South Polk Elementary are 97% White, 2% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 341 students attended South Polk Elementary.

South Polk Elementary ranks 488th of 1018 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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