Skip to main content

Average

#906 of 1,785 schools in TN

R Howell Elementary

Elementary School · Maury County

653 Bear Creek PIKE, Columbia, TN 38401

Enrollment

594

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#4 of 12

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#581 of 1,002

In district

#14 of 23

Maury County

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About R Howell Elementary

R Howell Elementary serves 594 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Columbia, Tennessee. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #302 out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Tennessee schools.

This solid ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education for its young learners during these crucial foundational years. R Howell Elementary draws students from a stable community where the median household income is $66,047 and the poverty rate stands at 10.1 percent. The surrounding area shows economic diversity, with median home values around $260,900 and about 23 percent of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Located on Bear Creek Pike, the school sits in Columbia, a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area in Maury County. This setting provides students with access to both small-town community connections and broader metropolitan resources, creating an environment that balances rural charm with urban opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at R Howell Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5%
Math vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,063

R Howell Elementary — Students at R Howell Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 17.8%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
22.5%
ELA
23.5%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How R Howell Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in TN
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Location

653 Bear Creek PIKE, Columbia, TN 38401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering R Howell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highland Park Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Battle Creek Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J. R. Baker Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
E. A. Cox Middle School Columbia 0.3 mi 5.2
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia 3.3 mi 6.6
Riverside Elementary Columbia 3.6 mi 5.6
Northfield Academy Columbia 3.9 mi 5.0
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 3.9 mi 4.2
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 4.3 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 4.6 mi 8.5
Spring Hill High School Columbia 5.5 mi 6.0
CHRIST CHILDREN'S ACADEMY - SITE 1 Spring Hill 5.6 mi
Battle Creek Middle School Spring Hill 5.2 mi 7.2
Battle Creek Elementary School Spring Hill 5.4 mi 8.2
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Columbia 4.8 mi
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 5.2 mi 4.2
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 5.5 mi 6.2
Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill 7.2 mi 7.0
J. R. Baker Elementary Columbia 6.2 mi 8.2
Columbia Central High School Columbia 6.3 mi 4.2
Whitthorne Middle School Columbia 6.4 mi 6.1
COLUMBIA ACADEMY AT SPRING HILL Spring Hill 8.1 mi 4.0
Spring Hill Elementary Spring Hill 8.0 mi 7.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding R Howell Elementary has a median household income of $69,467. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,200, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Adamsville Elementary Adamsville, TN 6.3
Baileyton Elementary Greeneville, TN 6.3
Burchfield Elementary Oneida, TN 6.3
Cordova Elementary Cordova, TN 6.3
Jordan Elementary School Brentwood, TN 6.3
Learning Way Elementary Shelbyville, TN 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about R Howell Elementary

What grades does R Howell Elementary serve?

R Howell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend R Howell Elementary?

R Howell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at R Howell Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at R Howell Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does R Howell Elementary rank in TN?

R Howell Elementary is ranked #906 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is R Howell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

R Howell Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 R Howell Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, R Howell Elementary has 21.5% math proficiency and 17.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is R Howell Elementary a charter school?

No, R Howell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is R Howell Elementary a Title I school?

No, R Howell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,062/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Maury County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.