Photo: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0Kingsport’s public schools outscore 81% of Tennessee districts
43% of students in Kingsport’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Tennessee average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kingsport, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 97% 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.
Kingsport’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 239 Tennessee towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kingsport’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 37% and 31% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,088 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Dominic Catholic School (private), Lighthouse Christian School (private), Christian Life Academy (private), Top Academy (private), St. Paul's Day School & Kindergarten (private) and Apostolic Gospel Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Kingsport’s grade
A−: better than 81% of Tennessee school districts, #40 of 176 Tennessee towns. Test scores are above the Tennessee average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kingsport, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Kingsport · depends on your address
Ross N. Robinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students
John Sevier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students
7th grade in Kingsport · depends on your address
Ross N. Robinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students
John Sevier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students
8th grade in Kingsport · depends on your address
Ross N. Robinson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students
John Sevier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students
9th grade in Kingsport
Dobyns - Bennett High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,315 students
10th grade in Kingsport
Dobyns - Bennett High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,315 students
11th grade in Kingsport
Dobyns - Bennett High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,315 students
12th grade in Kingsport
Dobyns - Bennett High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,315 students
Kingsport’s public schools are run by Kingsport City School District. Parts of Kingsport (4% of its land) are served by Sullivan County instead. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Kingsport vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Kingsport’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | A− | Kingsport City |
| Mount Carmel | B− | Hawkins County |
Every school in Kingsport
18 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 Kingsport’s schools
Are Kingsport’s schools good?
By Tennessee’s own tests, yes: the public schools Kingsport children attend outscore 81% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #40 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kingsport in?
Kingsport City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,658 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Kingsport are served by Sullivan County.
Where do Kingsport kids go to high school?
Dobyns - Bennett High School, with 2,315 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Kingsport’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Kingsport City School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Kingsport spend per student?
$13,088 in Kingsport City School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Kingsport?
Yes: St. Dominic Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 118 students), Lighthouse Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 107 students), Christian Life Academy (religious, grades K–12, 87 students), Top Academy (religious, grades K–12, 55 students), St. Paul's Day School & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 47 students) and Apostolic Gospel Academy (religious, grades K–12, 23 students).
Parents talk
What Kingsport families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kingsport → 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.