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Below Average

#1587 of 1,786 schools in TN

Putnam County Vital

School · Putnam County

1400 E. Spring ST, Cookeville, TN 38506

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

5.3:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,587 of 1,786

In Cookeville

#13 of 13

public schools

In district

#20 of 20

Putnam County

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Putnam County Vital

4.3/10

School in Cookeville · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Avery Trace Middle School

7.2/10

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

Northeast Elementary

8.5/10

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

About Putnam County Vital

Putnam County Vital is a public school in Cookeville, TN, part of Putnam County. Putnam County Vital serves approximately 106 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 5.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Putnam County Vital has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,587 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Putnam County Vital show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • TN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 106 students, Putnam County Vital is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 5.3:1 students to teachers, Putnam County Vital sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.2% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.1% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-16 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,619
Chronic Absenteeism25.5%

Putnam County Vital — Students at Putnam County Vital score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 18.9% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 42.9% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 14 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
16.9%
ELA
21.4%
2025
Math
23.2%
ELA
32.1%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Putnam County Vital Compares

See how Putnam County Vital performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
11th percentile in TN
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
5.7% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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. HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HEAVENLY HOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, White Plains Academy (rated 4.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Algood), with a very similar rating. 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 7.2
Northeast Elementary Cookeville 1.3 mi 8.5
Capshaw Elementary Cookeville 1.3 mi 8.6
Algood Middle School Cookeville 1.9 mi 7.9
Algood Elementary Algood 2.0 mi 8.8
HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville 2.5 mi 5.5
Park View Elementary Cookeville 2.2 mi 8.5
Cookeville High School Cookeville 2.9 mi 6.1
T T U Child Development Lab Cookeville 2.6 mi
Jere Whitson Elementary Cookeville 3.0 mi 7.9
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 4.4
Prescott South Elementary Cookeville 3.5 mi 9.0
Prescott South Middle School Cookeville 3.6 mi 7.9
ALGOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Cookeville 4.1 mi
Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville 3.4 mi 8.5
Sycamore Elementary Cookeville 3.8 mi 6.4
Northfield Elementary School Sparta 8.9 mi 8.3
Rickman Elementary Rickman 9.5 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
R T Fisher Alternative Gallatin, TN 4.4
White Plains Academy Algood, TN 4.4
MACON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lafayette, TN 4.5
SEYMOUR COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seymour, TN 4.5
FAMILY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Old Hickory, TN 4.6
Holladay Elementary Holladay, TN 4.0

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 ranks #1,587 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Putnam County Vital's MySchoolScout rating?

Putnam County Vital has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Putnam County Vital?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Putnam County Vital has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.5%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

Putnam County
District Enrollment
11,762
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,619
District Rank
#20 of 20

How we rate schools

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