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Very Good

#514 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 29% in state

Spencer Elementary

Elementary School · Van Buren County

P.O. Box 218, Spencer, TN 38585

Enrollment

368

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spencer

#1 of 2

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#369 of 1,002

In district

#1 of 2

Van Buren County

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Spencer Elementary

Spencer Elementary serves 368 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Spencer, Tennessee. This Van Buren County school maintains a favorable 12.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #270 out of 1,796 Tennessee elementary schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its student population. Spencer Elementary operates within a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $43,247 and median home values are $126,200. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%, with about 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite economic challenges that many rural schools face, Spencer Elementary has demonstrated its ability to provide quality education and achieve above-average performance compared to schools across Tennessee. The school's rural Van Buren County setting offers students a small-town educational environment where community connections run deep and individual students can more easily stand out and receive personalized support from their teachers and staff.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Spencer Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.8%
Math vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,176

Spencer Elementary — Students at Spencer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 36.6%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
35.9%
ELA
43.8%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Spencer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in TN
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Location

P.O. Box 218, Spencer, TN 38585

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spencer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Findlay Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Sparta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bon De Croft Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Sparta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cassville Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sparta), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Buren Co High School Spencer 0.1 mi 7.1
Doyle Elementary Doyle 7.2 mi 8.4
QUEBECK CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SATELLITE-UMBRELLA Quebeck 7.1 mi
Woodland Park Elementary Sparta 10.8 mi 8.1
White County High School Sparta 13.0 mi 6.7
White Co Middle School Sparta 13.2 mi 7.5
Eastside Elementary Rock Island 10.9 mi 8.5
Findlay Elementary Sparta 14.1 mi 9.0
Bon De Croft Elementary Sparta 15.3 mi 8.8
Cassville Elementary Sparta 16.0 mi 8.8
Mary V Wheeler Elementary Pikeville 14.6 mi 7.4
Northfield Elementary School Sparta 19.6 mi 8.6
Irving College Elementary Mcminnville 18.1 mi 8.6
FAULKNER SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Minnville 16.8 mi
Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville 18.2 mi 7.5
Bledsoe County High School Pikeville 18.2 mi 7.8
Warren Connect Mcminnville 17.3 mi 6.7
Warren County Middle School Mcminnville 17.4 mi 5.6
Warren County Alternative Academy Mcminnville 17.6 mi 4.9
Bobby Ray Memorial Mcminnville 17.8 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,458

Median Home Value

$137,500

Median Rent

$705/mo

Population

4,550

College Educated

12.2%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spencer Elementary has a median household income of $51,458. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,500, with a median rent of $705/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Andersonville Elementary Andersonville, TN 7.4
Bearden Elementary Knoxville, TN 7.4
Blanche School Taft, TN 7.4
Campus School Memphis, TN 7.4
Paulette Elementary School Maynardville, TN 7.4
Rogers Creek Elementary Athens, TN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spencer Elementary

What grades does Spencer Elementary serve?

Spencer Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Spencer Elementary?

Spencer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spencer Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Spencer Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spencer Elementary rank in TN?

Spencer Elementary is ranked #514 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Spencer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Spencer Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Spencer Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spencer Elementary has 36.6% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spencer Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Spencer Elementary a Title I school?

No, Spencer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (766/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Van Buren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Van Buren County
District Enrollment
754
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,612
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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