For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 1,778 students in Carter County, TN.
The top-ranked public preschools in Carter County, TN are Valley Forge Elementary School, East Side Elementary School and Cloudland Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carter County, TN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Tennessee public pre school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Carter County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public preschool average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Carter County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valley Forge Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1485 Riverview Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4085
Gr: PK-5 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
East Side Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 Siam Rd
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-8010
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Cloudland Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8540 Highway 19 East
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-5310
Gr: PK-6 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
408 Hwy 321
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 725-5220
Gr: PK-8 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Unaka Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 474-4110
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
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 preschools in Carter County, TN?
The top-ranked public preschools in Carter County, TN include Valley Forge Elementary School, East Side Elementary School and Cloudland Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Carter County?
5 public preschools are located in Carter County.
What is the racial composition of students in Carter County?
Carter County public preschools minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public preschools average of 42% (majority Black).
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