Marion County Schools & Education
Marion County, Tennessee
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
27/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,685
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,215
School Score
27/100
Higher = better
State avg 47/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#90
of 95 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Marion County
School Verdict
Marion County faces educational challenges with a school score of 27/100 and a graduation rate of 89.1%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,685 per pupil, Marion County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Marion County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 43% below the Tennessee average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Marion County, Tennessee
Marion County's Educational Framework
Marion County supports 4,142 students across 13 public schools and two districts. The system includes five elementary, two middle, and five high schools, plus one alternative learning center. This distribution provides high school options across several small communities in the county.
Comparing Graduation and Spending Metrics
Marion County reports an 89.1% graduation rate, which is higher than the national average but lower than the state level of 93.3%. The county spends $5,685 per pupil, a lean budget compared to both state and national benchmarks. This efficiency supports a school score of 50.2, placing it near the national median.
Marion County and Richard City Districts
The Marion County district is the major provider, serving 3,960 students in 12 schools. The small Richard City district operates a single school with 182 students, offering a very localized alternative. No charter schools are currently operating within the county boundaries.
Small Campuses in Town and Country
Schools are split between seven town and six rural locales, with an average school size of 345 students. Jasper Elementary is the largest school in the system with 629 students. This small-scale environment ensures that most students benefit from a more personalized academic atmosphere.
Family Living in Marion County
With a focus on smaller school sizes, Marion County is attractive for families looking for a less crowded educational experience. Homes near Jasper or South Pittsburg offer proximity to some of the county's largest elementary schools. Use local school performance data to guide your home search in this scenic Tennessee valley.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Marion County
Total Enrollment
4,142
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Marion County
Marion County
Richard City
13 Public Schools in Marion County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper Elementary School | Marion County | PK–4 | Primary | 629 |
| South Pittsburg Elementary | Marion County | PK–6 | Primary | 521 |
| Whitwell Elementary | Marion County | PK–4 | Primary | 492 |
| Marion Co High School | Marion County | 9–12 | High | 491 |
| Jasper Middle School | Marion County | 5–8 | Middle | 491 |
| South Pittsburg High School | Marion County | 7–12 | High | 425 |
| Whitwell High School | Marion County | 9–12 | High | 343 |
| Whitwell Middle School | Marion County | 5–8 | Middle | 308 |
| Monteagle Elementary | Marion County | PK–8 | Primary | 224 |
| Richard Hardy Memorial School | Richard City | PK–12 | Other | 182 |
| Marion Virtual High School | Marion County | 6–12 | High | 31 |
| Marion Virtual Elementary School | Marion County | KG–5 | Primary | 5 |
| Central Prep Academy | Marion County | 10–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,685
State avg $6,215
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Marion County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Marion County?
How much does Marion County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Marion County, Tennessee — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Marion County, Tennessee?
Marion County supports 4,142 students across 13 public schools and two districts. The system includes five elementary, two middle, and five high schools, plus one alternative learning center. This distribution provides high school options across several small communities in the county.
How do schools in Marion County perform academically?
Marion County reports an 89.1% graduation rate, which is higher than the national average but lower than the state level of 93.3%. The county spends $5,685 per pupil, a lean budget compared to both state and national benchmarks. This efficiency supports a school score of 50.2, placing it near the national median.
What are the major school districts in Marion County, Tennessee?
The Marion County district is the major provider, serving 3,960 students in 12 schools. The small Richard City district operates a single school with 182 students, offering a very localized alternative. No charter schools are currently operating within the county boundaries.
What is the school experience like in Marion County?
Schools are split between seven town and six rural locales, with an average school size of 345 students. Jasper Elementary is the largest school in the system with 629 students. This small-scale environment ensures that most students benefit from a more personalized academic atmosphere.
How can I find homes near good schools in Marion County, Tennessee?
With a focus on smaller school sizes, Marion County is attractive for families looking for a less crowded educational experience. Homes near Jasper or South Pittsburg offer proximity to some of the county's largest elementary schools. Use local school performance data to guide your home search in this scenic Tennessee valley.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.