For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 12,039 students in Putnam County, TN (there are , serving 533 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Putnam County, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN are Capshaw Elementary School, Algood Elementary School and Prescott South Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Putnam County, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Putnam County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best 51±¬ÁÏs in Putnam County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Capshaw Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1 Cougar Ln
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2414
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2414
Gr: PK-4 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Algood Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2525 Old Walton Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 303-0362
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 303-0362
Gr: PK-4 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Prescott South Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 W. Cemetery Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 526-2275
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 526-2275
Gr: PK-4 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Dodson Branch Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
16221 Dodson Branch Hwy
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 268-0761
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 268-0761
Gr: PK-8 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Cornerstone Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
371 First Avenue South
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-9190
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-9190
Gr: 2-4 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Algood Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
540 Dry Valley Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 537-6141
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 537-6141
Gr: 5-8 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Prescott South Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1859 S. Jefferson St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-3647
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-3647
Gr: 5-8 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Cane Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1500 West Jackson St
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-1173
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-1173
Gr: PK-4 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
575 N Old Kentucky Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2978
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2978
Gr: PK-4 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Avery Trace Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
230 Raider Dr
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2200
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2200
Gr: 5-8 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1111.
Cookeville High School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Cavalier Dr
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2287
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2287
Gr: 9-12 | 2,202 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1212.
Park View Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
545 Scott Ave
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2516
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2516
Gr: PK-4 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1313.
Burks Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 Crossville St
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-7641
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-7641
Gr: PK-6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Sycamore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
452 Ellis Ave
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9322
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9322
Gr: PK-4 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1515.
Upperman Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6700 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-6601
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-6601
Gr: 5-8 | 847 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1616.
Monterey High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
710 East Commercial Ave
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Gr: 7-12 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1717.
Jere Whitson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
178 East Jere Whitson Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-6575
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-6575
Gr: PK-4 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1818.
Upperman High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6950 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3112
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3112
Gr: 9-12 | 918 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1919.
Putnam County Vital
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 E. Spring St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 372-2368
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 372-2368
Gr: PK-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2020.
White Plains Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
288 E. Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Gr: K-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
125 Elmore Town Road
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3110
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3110
Gr: PK-1 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
268 East Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-8685
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-8685
Gr: 9-12 | 29 students Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
720 Quadrangle
Cookeville, TN 38505
(931) 372-6262
Cookeville, TN 38505
(931) 372-6262
Gr: PK | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Putnam County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Dry Valley Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
3860 Phifer Mountain Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 528-1847
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 528-1847
Gr: 1-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
242 East 10th St
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9777
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9777
Gr: 5-6
112 Elm
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2791
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2791
Gr: PK-6 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN?
The top ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN include Capshaw Elementary School, Algood Elementary School and Prescott South Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Putnam County?
23 public schools are located in Putnam County.
What percentage of students in Putnam County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Putnam County are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Putnam County?
Putnam County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Putnam County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Putnam County include: Upperman High School vs. Cookeville High School, Upperman Middle School vs. Avery Trace Middle School, White Plains Academy vs. Cookeville High School
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