Total enrollment
2,941
-420 (-12%) vs SY 2020-21
Fayette County
Tennessee · Public K-12
Tennessee's Fayette County runs 8 public K-12 schools between its districts, the largest being Fayette County Public Schools at 2,909 students. By grade band, the county runs 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Fayette County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Fayette County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Tennessee | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,941 | #66 of 90 | #1,863 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 8 | #58 of 90 | N/A |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 58.0% | #10 of 90 | #673 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Fayette County school rankings
Residents
43,267
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
8
2 districts
Enrollment
2,941
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$88,456
Above Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
4
1,602 students
Middle
2
583 students
High
2
756 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Fayette County Public Schools
2,909 students · 2 districts in Fayette County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Fayette County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
27.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
47
17.9% under 18
Test scores in Fayette County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Fayette Ware Comprehensive High School· 27.7%
- Buckley-Carpenter Elementary School· 25.8%
- Southwest Elementary· 21.5%
- East Jr. High School· 21.0%
- Oakland Elementary· 18.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- La Grange Moscow Elementary· 13.9%
- West Junior High School· 14.8%
- Oakland Elementary· 18.3%
- East Jr. High School· 21.0%
- Southwest Elementary· 21.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette Ware Comprehensive High School | Somerville | High | 09-12 | 724 | · |
| Oakland Elementary | Oakland | Elementary | PK-05 | 621 | · |
| Buckley-Carpenter Elementary School | Somerville | Elementary | PK-05 | 491 | · |
| West Junior High School | Oakland | Middle | 06-08 | 340 | · |
| Southwest Elementary | Williston | Elementary | PK-05 | 294 | · |
| East Jr. High School | Somerville | Middle | 06-08 | 243 | · |
| La Grange Moscow Elementary | Moscow | Elementary | PK-05 | 196 | · |
| Barbara Ward Cooper Education Center | Somerville | High | 06-12 | 32 | · |
Cities in Fayette County
About Fayette County
Fayette County is a sparse county of about 43,267 residents in Tennessee. Its public-school system serves approximately 2,941 students across 8 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $88,456, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 44% meaningfully above the Tennessee median.
For a sense of the school types, Fayette County is built around 4 elementary schools (1,602 students), 2 middle schools (583), and 2 high schools (756).
Fayette County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,909 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Fayette County has shrank 12% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 3,361 students to 2,941.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Fayette County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data