For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 4,089 students in Carter County, TN.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Carter County, TN are West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carter County, TN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 36% statewide average). Elementary schools in Carter County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Tennessee public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public elementary school average of 44% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Carter County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1310 Burgie St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8030
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8030
Gr: K-5 | 367 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Valley Forge Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1485 Riverview Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Gr: PK-5 | 186 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
T A Dugger Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
305 West E St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8025
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8025
Gr: 6-8 | 619 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 Siam Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Harold Mccormick Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
226 Cedar Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8020
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8020
Gr: K-5 | 341 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Cloudland Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8540 Highway 19 East
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Gr: PK-6 | 262 students Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #77.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
408 Hwy 321
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Gr: PK-8 | 662 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Hunter Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
145 Hope St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4074
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4074
Gr: K-8 | 498 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Happy Valley Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
163 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4070
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4070
Gr: 5-8 | 354 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Unaka Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Gr: PK-8 | 194 students Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Carter County Alternative School
Alternative School
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Gr: 5-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Carter County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
416 South Sycamore St
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4084
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4084
104 Hudson
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8035
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8035
Gr: PK | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4047
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4047
Gr: PK-8 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
655 Watauga Rd
Watauga, TN 37694
(423) 547-4037
Watauga, TN 37694
(423) 547-4037
Gr: PK-8 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Carter County, TN?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Carter County, TN include West Side Elementary School, Valley Forge Elementary School and T A Dugger Junior High School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Carter County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Carter County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carter County?
Carter County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public elementary schools average of 44% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Carter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Carter County include: Hunter Elementary School vs. Valley Forge Elementary School, Harold Mccormick Elementary School vs. West Side Elementary School, East Side Elementary School vs. Harold Mccormick Elementary School
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