Below Average
#1627 of 1,785 schools in TN
Putnam County Vital
School · Putnam County
1400 E. Spring ST, Cookeville, TN 38506
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cookeville
#13 of 13
public schools
Tennessee schools
#83 of 84
In district
#20 of 20
Putnam County
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Putnam County Vital
Putnam County VITAL stands out as a high-performing public school serving 106 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Cookeville, Tennessee. With its exceptional 5.3:1 student-teacher ratio and 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides an intimate learning environment that allows for significant individual attention and personalized instruction. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #183 out of 1,796 schools statewide and placing in the 90th percentile among Tennessee schools.
This strong performance has resulted in a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its smaller size. Putnam County VITAL's unique structure spans the entire K-12 spectrum under one roof, creating opportunities for cross-age mentoring and a close-knit school community. The remarkably low student-teacher ratio suggests students receive focused support throughout their educational journey, from early childhood through high school graduation.
The school serves families in the 38506 area, where the median household income is $60,588 and about one-third of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located in a remote town setting, Putnam County VITAL offers a small-town educational experience with strong academic outcomes for families seeking a more intimate school environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 106 students, Putnam County Vital is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, Putnam County Vital offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Putnam County Vital — Students at Putnam County Vital score 19% proficient, which is below 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 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.2/10.
How Putnam County Vital Compares
See how Putnam County Vital performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 16.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 22.2% (2025).
Location
1400 E. Spring ST, Cookeville, TN 38506
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Putnam County Vital may also want to explore other schools in the area. White Plains Academy (rated 5.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Algood), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HEAVENLY HOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cookeville, see our Cookeville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Avery Trace Middle School Cookeville | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Northeast Elementary Cookeville | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Capshaw Elementary Cookeville | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Algood Middle School Cookeville | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Algood Elementary Algood | 2.0 mi | 9.0 |
| HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Park View Elementary Cookeville | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Cookeville High School Cookeville | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| T T U Child Development Lab Cookeville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Jere Whitson Elementary Cookeville | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| HEAVENLY HOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cookeville | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Putnam Co Adult High School Cookeville | 3.5 mi | — |
| White Plains Academy Algood | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Prescott South Elementary Cookeville | 3.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Prescott South Middle School Cookeville | 3.6 mi | 9.0 |
| ALGOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Cookeville | 4.1 mi | — |
| Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Sycamore Elementary Cookeville | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Northfield Elementary School Sparta | 8.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Rickman Elementary Rickman | 9.5 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,051
Median Home Value
$256,100
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
29,657
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
71.2%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Putnam County Vital has a median household income of $63,051. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,100, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| MACON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lafayette, TN | 4.5 |
| SEYMOUR COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seymour, TN | 4.5 |
| FAMILY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Old Hickory, TN | 4.6 |
| WHITE STONE ACADEMY Columbia, TN | 4.6 |
| Pioneer Virtual Academy Lawrenceburg, TN | 4.8 |
| CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY Kingsport, TN | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Putnam County Vital
What grades does Putnam County Vital serve?
Putnam County Vital serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Putnam County Vital?
Putnam County Vital has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Putnam County Vital?
The student-teacher ratio at Putnam County Vital is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Putnam County Vital rank in TN?
Putnam County Vital is ranked #1627 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Putnam County Vital's MySchoolScout rating?
Putnam County Vital has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Putnam County Vital?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Putnam County Vital has 17.9% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Putnam County Vital a charter school?
No, Putnam County Vital is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Putnam County Vital a Title I school?
No, Putnam County Vital is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,971/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cookeville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 106
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Putnam County
- Phone
- (931) 372-2368
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Putnam County- District Enrollment
- 11,762
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,619
- District Rank
- #20 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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