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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2%
Math vs. State Avg-22.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,052

Putnam County Vital — Students at Putnam County Vital score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.9%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
16.7%
ELA
22.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.1/10
9th percentile in TN
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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 methodology

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