Excellent
#173 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 10% in state
Jere Whitson Elementary
Elementary School · Putnam County
178 East Jere Whitson RD, Cookeville, TN 38501
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cookeville
#5 of 13
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#143 of 1,002
In district
#6 of 20
Putnam County
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Jere Whitson Elementary
Jere Whitson Elementary is a public elementary school in Cookeville, TN, part of the Putnam County. The school serves approximately 317 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.4th percentile among TN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math, 8 points below the state average and 19% in reading/language arts, 22 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,923, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Jere Whitson Elementary — Students at Jere Whitson Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 9.3/10.
How Jere Whitson Elementary Compares
See how Jere Whitson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 44.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 32.1% (2025).
Location
178 East Jere Whitson RD, Cookeville, TN 38501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jere Whitson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Algood Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Algood), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Park View Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Prescott South Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cookeville, see our Cookeville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| T T U Child Development Lab Cookeville | 0.8 mi | — |
| Cookeville High School Cookeville | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Sycamore Elementary Cookeville | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Capshaw Elementary Cookeville | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Avery Trace Middle School Cookeville | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Park View Elementary Cookeville | 2.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Northeast Elementary Cookeville | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| HEAVENLY HOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cookeville | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Putnam County VITAL Cookeville | 3.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Algood Elementary Algood | 2.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Algood Middle School Cookeville | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| ALGOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Cookeville | 3.3 mi | — |
| Putnam Co Adult High School Cookeville | 3.4 mi | — |
| White Plains Academy Algood | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Prescott South Elementary Cookeville | 5.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Prescott South Middle School Cookeville | 5.2 mi | 9.0 |
| CHANCE TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL Bloomington Springs | 6.8 mi | — |
| Dodson Branch Elementary Cookeville | 8.6 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,923
Median Home Value
$245,100
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
42,422
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
49.4%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
20%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jere Whitson Elementary has a median household income of $50,923. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,100, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethpage Elementary Bethpage, TN | 8.4 |
| Camp Creek Elementary Greeneville, TN | 8.4 |
| Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville, TN | 8.4 |
| Compass Community School Binghampton Campus Memphis, TN | 8.4 |
| Corryton Elementary Corryton, TN | 8.4 |
| Doyle Elementary Doyle, TN | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jere Whitson Elementary
What grades does Jere Whitson Elementary serve?
Jere Whitson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Jere Whitson Elementary?
Jere Whitson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jere Whitson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Jere Whitson Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jere Whitson Elementary rank in TN?
Jere Whitson Elementary is ranked #173 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Jere Whitson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Jere Whitson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Jere Whitson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jere Whitson Elementary has 31.1% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jere Whitson Elementary a charter school?
No, Jere Whitson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jere Whitson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Jere Whitson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cookeville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 317
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Putnam County
- Phone
- (931) 526-6575
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Putnam County- District Enrollment
- 11,762
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,619
- District Rank
- #6 of 20
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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