For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 2,361 students in Carter County, TN.
The top-ranked public high schools in Carter County, TN are Elizabethton High School, Cloudland High School and Happy Valley High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carter County, TN public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Tennessee public high school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 40% statewide average). High schools in Carter County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Tennessee public high schools.
Carter County, TN public high school have a Graduation Rate of 81%, which is less than the Tennessee average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Elizabethton High School, with 91% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Tennessee or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Carter County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Elizabethton High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
907 Jason Witten Way
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8015
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8015
Gr: 9-12 | 879 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Cloudland High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
476 Cloudland Dr
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5300
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5300
Gr: 7-12 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Happy Valley High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
121 Warpath Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4094
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4094
Gr: 9-12 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Unaka High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
119 Robinson Ln
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4100
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Hampton High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
766 1st St
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5200
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Carter County Online Academy
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-2407
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-2407
Gr: 4-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
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%
Siam Learning Center (Closed 2026)
Alternative School
139 Keenburg Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Gr: 5-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Carter County, TN?
The top-ranked public high schools in Carter County, TN include Elizabethton High School, Cloudland High School and Happy Valley High School.
How many public high schools are located in Carter County?
6 public high schools are located in Carter County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carter County?
Carter County public high schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Carter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Carter County include: Happy Valley High School vs. Elizabethton High School, Hampton High School vs. Elizabethton High School, Elizabethton High School vs. Happy Valley High School
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