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
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Spencer Elementary — Students at Spencer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Spencer Elementary Compares
See how Spencer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 35.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 43.8% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (931) 946-2171
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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