Very Good
#633 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 35% in state
Van Buren Co High School
High School · Van Buren County
P.O. Box 278, Spencer, TN 38585
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spencer
#2 of 2
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#91 of 361
In district
#2 of 2
Van Buren County
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Van Buren Co High School
Van Buren Co High School serves 386 students in grades 6-12 in Spencer, Tennessee, offering a consolidated educational experience that brings together middle and high school students under one roof. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with an 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #209 out of 1,796 schools statewide and placing in the 88th percentile among Tennessee schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite serving a rural community with economic challenges. MySchoolScout rates the school 7.5 out of 10, indicating solid overall performance. Van Buren Co High School serves families in a community where the median household income is $43,247 and median home values average $126,200.
The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 18.7%, with 9% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these economic factors, the school has demonstrated its ability to provide quality education to its students. Located in rural Van Buren County, the school sits in a close-knit community of approximately 4,600 residents, where students benefit from the personal connections and support that smaller communities naturally provide.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Van Buren Co High School 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Buren Co High School — Students at Van Buren Co High School score 33% 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 8 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: 5.3/10.
How Van Buren Co High School Compares
See how Van Buren Co High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 34.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 30.9% (2025).
Location
P.O. Box 278, Spencer, TN 38585
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Buren Co High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bledsoe County High School (rated 7.8/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Pikeville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is White County High School (rated 6.7/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Warren County Alternative Academy (rated 4.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Mcminnville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Elementary Spencer | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 11.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Findlay Elementary Sparta | 14.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Bon De Croft Elementary Sparta | 15.2 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 | 16.9 mi | — |
| Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville | 18.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Bledsoe County High School Pikeville | 18.1 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 | 17.7 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 Van Buren Co High School 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 |
|---|---|
| Collinwood High School Collinwood, TN | 7.1 |
| FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin, TN | 7.1 |
| Lead Academy Nashville, TN | 7.1 |
| Lewis Co High School Hohenwald, TN | 7.1 |
| Middle College High Memphis, TN | 7.1 |
| Perry County High School Linden, TN | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Buren Co High School
What grades does Van Buren Co High School serve?
Van Buren Co High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Van Buren Co High School?
Van Buren Co High School has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Co High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren Co High School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Buren Co High School rank in TN?
Van Buren Co High School is ranked #633 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Van Buren Co High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Buren Co High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Van Buren Co High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren Co High School has 32.1% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Buren Co High School a charter school?
No, Van Buren Co High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Buren Co High School a Title I school?
No, Van Buren Co High School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 386
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Phone
- (931) 946-2442
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Van Buren County- District Enrollment
- 754
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,612
- District Rank
- #2 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
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.