Chattanooga offers K-12 students and their families a number of public, private, and specialty schools to fit a variety of educational needs. Hamilton County schools remain dedicated to providing quality education, options for accelerated learning, and high graduation rates.

In recent years, Hamilton County has made great strides in the pursuit of creating future-ready schools. Officials remain dedicated to the Future Ready 2023 goal of reaching a 90% overall graduation rate in the upcoming year, having achieved an 88.7% graduation rate in the 2021-2022 school year. Despite pandemic-related challenges, this rate has continuously improved from the baseline of 86.6% in 2018, when the initiative began.

The continued advancement of Hamilton County Schools was notable in the 2021-2022 academic year. Thirty-two schools earned Level 5 distinction from the 2021-2022 Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System, and 13 earned Reward School status. The Reward designation is the highest honor for academic achievements in Tennessee, and the results are a testament to the continued success of students growing their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Future Ready 2023 is a five-year action plan designed to prepare students for success in higher education and careers, with the goal of making Hamilton County Schools the fastest-improving district in Tennessee. In support of this initiative, college and career advisors are available throughout the district, along with opportunities for students to participate in advanced and dual enrollment courses, STEAM classes, and Future Ready Institutes.

In support of this future-ready goal, Hamilton County Schools partnered with Chattanooga State Community College to develop a microcollege program in 2021. The goal of this program is to increase access to opportunities such as advanced placement and dual enrollment courses for Hamilton County students. This microcollege program fosters a supportive environment for students to get a head start on their postsecondary education, preparing them for success as they earn transferrable credits. 

In addition to preparing students for success in postsecondary education, Hamilton County has made efforts to prepare students to enter the workforce. In partnership with local businesses such as U.S. Xpress, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, EPB, as well as local hospitals, a total of 28 Future Ready Institutes have been established in high schools throughout Hamilton County. These institutes are schools within a school that provide programs of study that allow students to get hands-on experience in a variety of industries. Exciting opportunities for students include institutes of entrepreneurship, aviation, engineering, business and marketing, healthcare, robotics, logistics, and more. By participating in these programs, students can jumpstart exciting careers in competitive industries. 

Continuing efforts to provide a more individualized education experience, Hamilton County offers the School Choice program, which began in 2021 to help all students develop a passion for learning and pursue their unique dreams. This program allows open enrollment in schools that have seats available, granting students access to educational opportunities outside of their neighborhood’s officially zoned schools. Hamilton County will expand this program in the 2023-2024 school year to offer over 80 options for open enrollment schools. Students will be able to choose between college and career programs, magnet schools, Future Ready Institutes, charter schools, and more. 

There are 13 magnet schools in Hamilton County with concentrations in liberal arts, fine arts, science, environmental science, math, and technology. Additionally, four charter schools, as well as several specialty and public K-12 schools, provide educational opportunities in the area. Hamilton County is also home to more than 38 private schools, many of which rank among the most prestigious in the country.