Dobyns-Bennett High School is a high school in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. It typically educates around 2,400 students, although enrollment for the 2022–23 academic year exceeded 2,500 students. As a part of Kingsport City Schools, students must be city residents paying city taxes to attend.
Serving 2,315 students in grades 9-12, Dobyns - Bennett High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 41% (which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 51% (which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,315 students
- Minority Enrollment: 23%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Top 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 41% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 51% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 55% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: Dobyns - Bennett High's attendance zone covers the entire Kingsport school district, encompassing approximately 52.7 square miles. The typical drive to the school is around 10-12 minutes, with an average distance of 4.4 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 8.7 miles to its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Dobyns - Bennett High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Dobyns - Bennett High School's student population of 2,315 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,315 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers (23-24)
166 teachers
Showing 2015–2024. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1918
School Rankings
Dobyns - Bennett High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,728 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Dobyns - Bennett High School is 0.40, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#395 out of 1728 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
37%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2015–2024. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
2%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
8%
16%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Black
5%
20%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
77%
57%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
8%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
87%
87.3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)36.5%
23.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
45%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Maroon and Grey
School Mascot
Indian
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dobyns - Bennett High School's ranking?
Dobyns - Bennett High School is ranked #395 out of 1,728 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Dobyns - Bennett High School often compared to?
Dobyns - Bennett High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Tennessee High School, West Ridge High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
41% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% TN state average), while 51% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Dobyns - Bennett High School?
The graduation rate of Dobyns - Bennett High School is 87%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 87.3%.
How many students attend Dobyns - Bennett High School?
2,315 students attend Dobyns - Bennett High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
77% of Dobyns - Bennett High School students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Asian.
What grades does Dobyns - Bennett High School offer ?
Dobyns - Bennett High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Dobyns - Bennett High School part of?
Dobyns - Bennett High School is part of Kingsport School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
This school really helps students prepare for their future and learn valuable life lessons that the students would have had to learn "the hard way" otherwise.
5 10/10/2025
Dobyns Bennett is absolutely great! I am a student here, and I think that I speak for all of us when I say that we are proud to be Indians (School Mascot). The academics are exellent and the teachers are concerned about not only how students do, but also the students personal wellfare. Kingsport City Schools have raised the graduating requirements and made courses more rigorus so that we may be better suited for college and the work force.
3 10/10/2025
This school is great for Tennessee''s standards but not much more can be said. You can get yourself a good education at Dobyns Bennett by taking a lot of AP classes but your college readiness really cannot compare to what you would get from the top high schools nationwide. The school feels overcrowded but there is the benefit of a new addition to the building coming in 2019 that will both expand and modernize the school a bit. Kingsport is a cheap, safe area to have children but if you want them to be more prepared for life after college or be more nationally competitive in the college admissions process then I would choose another school.
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