Excellent
#111 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 6% in state
Spencer Elementary
Elementary School · Van Buren County · Spencer, TN
A Van Buren County elementary school where students score 8 points above what's typical for similar communities.
P.O. Box 218, Spencer, TN 38585
- Math 36% vs TN 39% (2025)
- Reading 44% vs TN 41% (2025)
- 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Spencer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
2025 TCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. TN average.
Trend
↑ ImprovingProficiency has improved 10 points since 2020, reaching 40% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 34% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Spencer Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 21Car-Dependent
- Bike 16Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated766/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Spencer), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$51,458
Median home value
$137,500
Median rent
$705/mo
College educated
12.2%
Homeownership
80.3%
Poverty rate
16.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 38585; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Van Buren County
- Schools in district
- 2
- Rank in district
- #1 of 2
- District spending per student
- $12,612NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 22.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Spencer Elementary is listed in Van Buren County; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Spencer Elementary
Spencer Elementary is a public elementary school in Spencer, TN, part of Van Buren County, serving approximately 368 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #111 of 1,786 schools in TN. State assessment records show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #111 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Spencer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Spencer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Spencer Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Spencer Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 368
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.3%
- Phone
- (931) 946-2171
- Area population (ZIP 38585)
- 4,550
- Area average commute
- 30.9 min
- Area median age
- 42.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 38585; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.