Excellent
#217 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 12% in state
J. R. Baker Elementary
Elementary School · Maury County
1301 Hamphire PIKE, Columbia, TN 38401
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#2 of 12
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#176 of 1,002
In district
#2 of 23
Maury County
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About J. R. Baker Elementary
J. R. Baker Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, TN, part of the Maury County.
The school serves approximately 323 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.9th percentile among TN schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 39% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 35% in reading/language arts, 6 points below the state average.
The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $69,467, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a fringe town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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J. R. Baker Elementary — Students at J. R. Baker Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How J. R. Baker Elementary Compares
See how J. R. Baker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 43.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 45.8% (2025).
Location
1301 Hamphire PIKE, Columbia, TN 38401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J. R. Baker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highland Park Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is J E Woodard Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, R Howell Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 6.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whitthorne Middle School Columbia | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Columbia Central High School Columbia | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| WHITE STONE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Columbia | 1.6 mi | — |
| J E Woodard Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Highland Park Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| J. Brown Elementary Columbia | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Riverside Elementary Columbia | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Northfield Academy Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia | 2.9 mi | 4.2 |
| AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| E. A. Cox Middle School Columbia | 6.0 mi | 5.2 |
| R Howell Elementary Columbia | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka | 8.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe | 8.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Spring Hill High School Columbia | 9.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,467
Median Home Value
$295,200
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
66,696
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
71.8%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding J. R. Baker Elementary has a median household income of $69,467. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,200, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Black Oak Elementary Hornbeak, TN | 8.2 |
| Broadview Elementary Winchester, TN | 8.2 |
| Collinwood Elementary Collinwood, TN | 8.2 |
| Cornerstone Elementary Baxter, TN | 8.2 |
| Eastview Elementary Greeneville, TN | 8.2 |
| Finley Elementary Finley, TN | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J. R. Baker Elementary
What grades does J. R. Baker Elementary serve?
J. R. Baker Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend J. R. Baker Elementary?
J. R. Baker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J. R. Baker Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J. R. Baker Elementary is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J. R. Baker Elementary rank in TN?
J. R. Baker Elementary is ranked #217 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is J. R. Baker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J. R. Baker Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at J. R. Baker Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. R. Baker Elementary has 39.3% math proficiency and 34.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J. R. Baker Elementary a charter school?
No, J. R. Baker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J. R. Baker Elementary a Title I school?
No, J. R. Baker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Maury County
- Phone
- (931) 388-3319
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maury County- District Enrollment
- 13,084
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,129
- District Rank
- #2 of 23
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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