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
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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R Howell Elementary — Students at R Howell Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 7.2/10.
How R Howell Elementary Compares
See how R Howell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 22.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 23.5% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (931) 540-1032
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maury County- District Enrollment
- 13,084
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,129
- District Rank
- #14 of 23
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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