Skip to main content

Excellent

#111 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 6% in state

Spencer Elementary

Elementary School · Van Buren County

P.O. Box 218, Spencer, TN 38585

Enrollment

368

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#111 of 1,786

In Spencer

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Van Buren County

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Spencer Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Spencer Elementary

8.8/10

Elementary School in Spencer · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Van Buren Co High School

8.5/10

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

Doyle Elementary

8.3/10

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

About Spencer Elementary

Spencer Elementary is a public elementary school in Spencer, TN, part of Van Buren County. Spencer Elementary serves approximately 368 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Spencer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #111 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Spencer Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above TN schools
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Spencer Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.9% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.8% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,612
Chronic Absenteeism19.3%

Spencer Elementary — Students at Spencer Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 34.4% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
28.6%
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: 9.4/10.

How Spencer Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
94th percentile in TN
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

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

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 9.3/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Sparta), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cassville Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bon De Croft Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a very similar rating. 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 8.5
Doyle Elementary Doyle 7.2 mi 8.3
QUEBECK CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SATELLITE-UMBRELLA Quebeck 7.1 mi
Woodland Park Elementary Sparta 10.8 mi 7.7
White County High School Sparta 13.0 mi 5.5
White Co Middle School Sparta 13.2 mi 6.6
Eastside Elementary Rock Island 10.9 mi 7.3
Findlay Elementary Sparta 14.1 mi 9.3
Bon De Croft Elementary Sparta 15.3 mi 8.8
Cassville Elementary Sparta 16.0 mi 9.0
Mary V Wheeler Elementary Pikeville 14.6 mi 8.8
Northfield Elementary School Sparta 19.6 mi 8.3
Irving College Elementary Mcminnville 18.1 mi 8.4
FAULKNER SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Minnville 16.8 mi
Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville 18.2 mi 6.7
Bledsoe County High School Pikeville 18.2 mi 6.3
Warren Connect Mcminnville 17.3 mi 5.8
Warren County Middle School Mcminnville 17.4 mi 5.1
Warren County Alternative Academy Mcminnville 17.6 mi 3.1
Bobby Ray Memorial Mcminnville 17.8 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Algood Elementary Algood, TN 8.8
Bells Elementary Bells, TN 8.8
Blanche School Taft, TN 8.8
Compass Community School Berclair Campus Memphis, TN 8.8
Defeated Elementary Carthage, TN 8.8
Dyllis Springs Elementary Oliver Springs, TN 8.8

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

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

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.