Hamilton County Schools & Education
Hamilton County, Tennessee
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
31/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Lower Signal
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,663
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,215
School Score
31/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 47/100
State Score Position
#82
of 95 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Hamilton County
Measured School Summary
Hamilton County faces educational challenges with a school score of 31/100 and a graduation rate of 87.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,663 per pupil, Hamilton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 33% below the Tennessee average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Hamilton County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
81 public schools and 1 district are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
31/100
Lower measured signal. Ranks #82 of 95 Tennessee counties with school score data.
Completion
87.0%
6.3 pts below the state average
Funding context
$6,663
$448 above the state average
School coverage
81
1 district represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
The county-level signal is lower, so review individual schools and local records before interpreting the score. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Hamilton County has 81 public schools across 1 district, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Hamilton County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
Hamilton County carries most of the listed public-school system, with 81 of 81 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#82
of 95 Tennessee counties with school score data. The county score is 16 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Hamilton County
Elementary to high school visible
45,902 students
81 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Hamilton County is the largest listed district slice, with 81 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Hamilton County?
Which attendance zones, transfer rules, and transportation policies apply inside the local district?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Hamilton County, Tennessee
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Extensive Infrastructure in Hamilton County
Hamilton County supports a massive educational network of 81 public schools serving 45,902 students. The infrastructure includes 42 elementary, 15 middle, and 22 high schools managed within a single district. This robust system provides a comprehensive pipeline from preschool through graduation.
One Diverse and Large District
The Hamilton County school district manages all 81 schools and nearly 46,000 students. Choice is a significant factor here, with 8 charter schools representing approximately 10% of the total school landscape. This centralized management ensures consistent standards across a diverse urban and suburban footprint.
Urban Classrooms and Suburban Campuses
Schooling here feels primarily urban and suburban, with 44 schools in city locales and 29 in the suburbs. The average school size is 567 students, though environments range from large hubs like The Howard School with 1,485 students to smaller specialized facilities. Only 8 schools are located in rural settings, reflecting the county's developed character.
School Overview
Total Schools
81
in Hamilton County
Reported Enrollment
45,902
81 schools reporting
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
8
10% of total
School Level Breakdown
1 School District in Hamilton County
81 Public Schools in Hamilton County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 11 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 81 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Howard School | Profile | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37408City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,485 |
| Signal Mountain Middle/High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Signal Mountain, 37377Rural: Fringe | 6–12 | High | 1,368 |
| Ooltewah High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Ooltewah, 37363City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 1,266 |
| East Hamilton High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Ooltewah, 37363Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,265 |
| East Brainerd Elementary | Profile | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37421City: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 1,215 |
| Soddy Daisy High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Soddy Daisy, 37379Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,085 |
| Harrison Elementary | Profile | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37416Rural: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 1,013 |
| East Ridge High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37412Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,008 |
| East Hamilton Middle School | Profile | Hamilton County | Apison, 37302Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 1,007 |
| East Ridge Elementary | Profile | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37412Suburb: Large | PK–5 | Primary | 996 |
| Hixson High School | Profile | Hamilton County | Hixson, 37343Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 935 |
| Ooltewah Elementary | Record | Hamilton County | Ooltewah, 37363Rural: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 874 |
| Red Bank High School | Record | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37415Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 824 |
| Normal Park Museum Magnet School | Record | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37405City: Midsize | PK–8 | Primary | 820 |
| Chattanooga School For The Liberal Arts | Record | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37416City: Midsize | KG–12 | Other | 792 |
| Middle Valley Elementary | Record | Hamilton County | Hixson, 37343Suburb: Large | PK–5 | Primary | 782 |
| Central High School | Record | Hamilton County | Harrison, 37341City: Midsize | 9–12 | High | 749 |
| Hunter Middle School | Record | Hamilton County | Ooltewah, 37363Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 738 |
| Nolan Elementary | Record | Hamilton County | Signal Mountain, 37377Rural: Fringe | KG–5 | Primary | 732 |
| East Ridge Middle School | Record | Hamilton County | Chattanooga, 37412Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 701 |
The Howard School
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37408 / City: Midsize
Signal Mountain Middle/High School
Hamilton County
Signal Mountain, 37377 / Rural: Fringe
Ooltewah High School
Hamilton County
Ooltewah, 37363 / City: Midsize
East Hamilton High School
Hamilton County
Ooltewah, 37363 / Suburb: Large
East Brainerd Elementary
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37421 / City: Midsize
Soddy Daisy High School
Hamilton County
Soddy Daisy, 37379 / Suburb: Large
Harrison Elementary
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37416 / Rural: Fringe
East Ridge High School
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37412 / Suburb: Large
East Hamilton Middle School
Hamilton County
Apison, 37302 / Suburb: Large
East Ridge Elementary
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37412 / Suburb: Large
Hixson High School
Hamilton County
Hixson, 37343 / Rural: Fringe
Normal Park Museum Magnet School
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37405 / City: Midsize
Chattanooga School For The Liberal Arts
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37416 / City: Midsize
East Ridge Middle School
Hamilton County
Chattanooga, 37412 / Suburb: Large
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,663
State avg $6,215
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Hamilton County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Tennessee counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Tennessee?
How should I read the school score in Hamilton County?
What is the graduation rate in Hamilton County?
How much does Hamilton County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Hamilton County, Tennessee — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Hamilton County, Tennessee?
Hamilton County supports a massive educational network of 81 public schools serving 45,902 students. The infrastructure includes 42 elementary, 15 middle, and 22 high schools managed within a single district. This robust system provides a comprehensive pipeline from preschool through graduation.
What are the major school districts in Hamilton County, Tennessee?
The Hamilton County school district manages all 81 schools and nearly 46,000 students. Choice is a significant factor here, with 8 charter schools representing approximately 10% of the total school landscape. This centralized management ensures consistent standards across a diverse urban and suburban footprint.
What is the school experience like in Hamilton County?
Schooling here feels primarily urban and suburban, with 44 schools in city locales and 29 in the suburbs. The average school size is 567 students, though environments range from large hubs like The Howard School with 1,485 students to smaller specialized facilities. Only 8 schools are located in rural settings, reflecting the county's developed character.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.