Settlement School Dormitories and Dwellings Historic District · Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 3.0Gatlinburg’s public schools score below 53% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Gatlinburg, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Gatlinburg, 27% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Tennessee average (31%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Gatlinburg’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 233 Tennessee towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gatlinburg’s, its schools beat 52%, higher than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,075 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Gatlinburg Pittman Junior High, then Gatlinburg Pittman High. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Gatlinburg’s grade
B−: better than 47% of Tennessee school districts, #111 of 176 Tennessee towns. Graduation is above the Tennessee average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gatlinburg, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
Kindergarten in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
1st grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
2nd grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
3rd grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
4th grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
5th grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
6th grade in Gatlinburg
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 315 students
7th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 377 students
8th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 377 students
9th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman Junior High
Grades 7–9 · 377 students
10th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman High
Grades 10–12 · 409 students
11th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman High
Grades 10–12 · 409 students
12th grade in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Pittman High
Grades 10–12 · 409 students
Gatlinburg’s public schools are run by Sevier County School District, which also serves Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center and Sevierville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Gatlinburg vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Gatlinburg’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | B− | Sevier County |
| Pittman Center | — | Sevier County |
Every school in Gatlinburg
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Gatlinburg’s schools
Are Gatlinburg’s schools good?
On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gatlinburg children attend score below 53% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #111 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gatlinburg in?
Sevier County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,408 students in 31 schools (2024–25).
Where do Gatlinburg kids go to high school?
Gatlinburg Pittman High, with 409 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Gatlinburg’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Sevier County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Gatlinburg spend per student?
$14,075 in Sevier County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Gatlinburg families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gatlinburg → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.