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Excellent

#251 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 14% 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#251 of 1,786

In Columbia

#1 of 12

public schools

In district

#3 of 23

Maury County

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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J. R. Baker Elementary

8.2/10

Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whitthorne Middle School

3.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Columbia Central High School

2.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About J. R. Baker Elementary

J. R. Baker Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, TN, part of Maury County.

J. R. Baker Elementary serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio.

J. R. Baker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #251 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for J. R. Baker Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • TN avg 6.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.9% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.8% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,129
Chronic Absenteeism16.4%

J. R. Baker Elementary — Students at J. R. Baker Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
23%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
38.8%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
43.9%
ELA
45.8%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How J. R. Baker Elementary Compares

See how J. R. Baker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
86th percentile in TN
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. J E Woodard Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Highland Park Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, J. Brown Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 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 3.7
Columbia Central High School Columbia 0.2 mi 2.9
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 7.3
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 2.2 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 7.2
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 3.0 mi 7.1
Riverside Elementary Columbia 2.7 mi 5.4
Northfield Academy Columbia 2.9 mi 2.6
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 2.9 mi 4.4
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 3.4
R Howell Elementary Columbia 6.2 mi 4.2
HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka 8.0 mi 7.2
Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe 8.3 mi 8.4
Spring Hill High School Columbia 9.0 mi 4.5
Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant 8.6 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allons Elementary Allons, TN 8.2
Central Elementary Bruceton, TN 8.2
Clyde Riggs Elementary Portland, TN 8.2
East Coffee Elementary Manchester, TN 8.2
Jo Byrns Elementary School Cedar Hill, TN 8.2
Mary Hughes School Piney Flats, 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 ranks #251 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is J. R. Baker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

J. R. Baker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at J. R. Baker Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J. R. Baker Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.4%

District

Maury County
District Enrollment
13,084
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,129
District Rank
#3 of 23

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