Education

Oak Ridge High School 2023 Rankings

Oak Ridge High School is consistently ranked in the top 10% nationally. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation and how well they prepare students for college.

Oak Ridge Schools were among the highest rated schools in the state according to the Tennessee Department of Education’s (TDOE) new Letter Grade Rating System, released in December 2023. Six Oak Ridge schools earned an “A” letter grade, the highest possible rating, and three earned perfect Level 5 scores in every scored component contributing to the overall grade. Oak Ridge Preschool is not eligible for a school letter grade because they do not serve students in grades that participate in state assessments.

Every Oak Ridge school earned a Level 5 in Student Achievement, the highest possible score, as a result of the district’s Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test results earlier this year. During Spring testing, Oak Ridge Schools outperformed the state average, collectively, by more than 13 percentage points. In the new grading system, student achievement is weighted equally to student growth, and is an area the district plans to target as an opportunity for improvement moving forward. 

School Letter Grades are available via a public dashboard here. Additional information and resources about letter grades are available here.  

Three Oak Ridge Schools Named Reward Schools by TDOE

February 20, 2024 - OAK RIDGE, TN  - Three Oak Ridge Schools—Glenwood Elementary, Linden Elementary and Willow Brook Elementary—have been named Reward Schools by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) for “exemplifying student success in achievement and growth,” according to a letter of recognition signed by Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. The recognition reflects the work and achievement of the 2022-23 school year and is based on each school’s federal accountability score—a complex calculation that includes numerical scores for student achievement, student growth, chronic absenteeism and the proficiency of English Language Learners, or students whose first language is not English.

“Reward School status is a tremendous honor and something we aim for every year,” said Dr. Bruce Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools. “Schools are being evaluated more than ever, but at the core of each of these designations is a focus on student achievement.  In Oak Ridge Schools, we are committed to a ‘student-first’ approach, keeping our instruction and decision-making focused on student achievement first and foremost. This recognition is a testament the outstanding work of our teachers and administrators to fulfill that commitment each and every day.”

Reward status is the top distinction a school can earn in Tennessee and is determined by a nation-wide, federal calculation. School Letter Grades, which were introduced in December of 2023, are determined by the state. Both designations rely heavily on student test scores to determine levels of student achievement and growth.

Contact: Molly Gallagher Smith, O: (865) 425-9001 email: mgsmith@ortn.edu

Oak Ridge Preschool

Address: 157 Carver Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: (865) 425-9101
Fax: (865) 425-9120

Glenwood Elementary

Address: 125 Audubon Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-9401
Fax: 865-425-9360

Linden Elementary

Address: 700 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-5701
Fax: 865-425-5713

Willow Brook Elementary

Address: 298 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-3201
Fax: 865-425-3268

Woodland Elementary

Address: 168 Manhattan Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-9501
Fax: 865-425-9432

Jefferson Middle

Address: 200 Fairbanks Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-9301
Fax: 865-425-9339

Robertsville Middle

Address: 245 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-9201
Fax: 865-425-9247

Oak Ridge High School

Address: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-9601

Secret City Academy

Address: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Telephone: 865-425-3151

source: https://www.ortn.edu/

Educational Training

No matter what age or ambition, award-winning educational opportunities are limitless and highly regarded in Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Schools were born in the shadow of the Manhattan Project in 1943. Like the project that brought together the nation’s greatest minds for a common goal, the school system set the bar high for educational excellence from the beginning. Oak Ridge School District is the first school district in Tennessee to be entirely AdvancED STEM certified, K-12. STEM in Oak Ridge is not isolated to the traditional STEM content areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but rather emphasizes skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity in every classroom. Over 80% of their passionate, award-winning teachers hold Master’s degrees. Oak Ridge Schools offer a challenging STEM curriculum with a deliberate focus on collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity to ensure success for every student.

Higher Education

In addition to the flagship campus of The University of Tennessee, the region is home to eight four-year liberal arts colleges, three two-year and community colleges, and several technology training centers. 

University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee's main campus in Knoxville is the oldest and largest university in Tennessee. More than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend 10 colleges and schools, with major research programs across 12 different disciplines of engineering.  UT has nationally-ranked programs in accounting, business administration, logistics, nuclear engineering, and education. The University of Tennessee partners with the seince adn technology non-profit Battelle to manage the Oak Ridge National Laboratory . 

The University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was recently formed with the purpose of building the technology talent pipeline for America.

Roane State Community College

Roane State Community College’s largest campus is located in Oak Ridge.  The college enrolls 5,000+ students over several different campuses.  Roane State offers 13 different areas of studies, the majority of which will transfer to a 4-year college via the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.  Roane State offers a well-regarded  Computer Science program that includes Cyber Defense, as well as courses in engineering, mechatronics and health sciences. Roane State also partners with local employers to develop custom training programs.

For RSCC's 2023 College Profile click here.

Pellissippi State Community College

Pellissippi State Community College is located a stone’s throw from Oak Ridge.  Pellissippi State offers a  broad array of career certification programs, AA degree programs as well as university parallel enrollment. The college enrolls over 10,000 students across 5 campuses. Pellissippi State also offers custom training programs to local employers.

For PSCC's 2023 College Profile click here.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Centers

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Centers serve as the premier suppliers of workforce development throughout the State of Tennessee. There are several different TCAT locations in the region offering 20 different programs. The Colleges fulfill their mission by:

• Providing competency-based training through superior quality, traditional, and distance learning instruction methods that qualify completers for employment and job advancement;
• Contributing to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers;
• Ensuring that programs and services are economical and accessible to all residents of Tennessee; and
• Building relationships of trust with the community, business, and industry leaders to supply highly skilled workers in areas of need.

For TCAT's 2023 College Profile click here.

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