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Below Average

#1603 of 1,786 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

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,603 of 1,786

In Columbia

#8 of 12

public schools

In district

#19 of 23

Maury County

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R Howell Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

E. A. Cox Middle School

3.4/10

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

Agathos Classical School

6.6/10

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

About R Howell Elementary

R Howell Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, TN, part of Maury County. R Howell Elementary serves approximately 594 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. R Howell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,603 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for R Howell Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at R Howell Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.5% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,129
Chronic Absenteeism35%

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 →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%
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: 3.7/10.

How R Howell Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
10th percentile in TN
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Battle Creek Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is J. R. Baker Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spring Hill Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), 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 3.4
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia 3.3 mi 6.6
Riverside Elementary Columbia 3.6 mi 5.4
Northfield Academy Columbia 3.9 mi 2.6
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 3.9 mi 4.4
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 4.3 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 4.6 mi 7.2
Spring Hill High School Columbia 5.5 mi 4.5
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 8.6
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 7.1
Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill 7.2 mi 5.5
J. R. Baker Elementary Columbia 6.2 mi 8.2
Columbia Central High School Columbia 6.3 mi 2.9
Whitthorne Middle School Columbia 6.4 mi 3.7
COLUMBIA ACADEMY AT SPRING HILL Spring Hill 8.1 mi 4.0
Spring Hill Elementary Spring Hill 8.0 mi 7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burt Elementary Clarksville, TN 4.2
Northwest Elementary Newport, TN 4.2
South Side Elementary Shelbyville, TN 4.2
A. Z. Kelley Elementary Antioch, TN 4.3
Inskip Elementary Knoxville, TN 4.3
Pigeon Forge Primary Sevierville, TN 4.3

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 ranks #1,603 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is R Howell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

R Howell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 R Howell Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, R Howell Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.0%

District

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

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