Demographically, the York Institute student body (about 630 students) is typical of those in other rural, economically distressed counties. For much of its history, the school's performance indicators were low. "Ten or 15 years ago," says Doug Young, York Institute superintendent, "we were battling to get up to the state averages."

Today the York Institute is near the desirable end of every performance curve. During the 1997–98 school year, ACT scores for the school's college-bound students exceeded both the statewide average and the still higher national averages. Moreover, Tennessee's state goals for the Year 2000 include an average daily attendance of 93 percent or higher; dropout rates of 10 percent or lower; and competency test passing rates of 90 percent or higher. The actual numbers at York Institute last year were attendance, 94.2 percent; dropout rate, 2.1 percent; and competency test passage, an almost perfect 99.3 percent.