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Excellent

#181 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 10% 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

8.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#181 of 1,786

In Spencer

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Van Buren County

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Van Buren Co High School

8.5/10

High School in Spencer · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Spencer Elementary

8.8/10

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 Van Buren Co High School

Van Buren Co High School is a public high school in Spencer, TN, part of Van Buren County. Van Buren Co High School serves approximately 386 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Buren Co High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #181 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Van Buren Co High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts above TN schools
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Van Buren Co High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.3% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.9% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,612
Chronic Absenteeism23.8%

Van Buren Co High School — Students at Van Buren Co High School score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 32 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
18%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
33%
ELA
49%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
38.7%
ELA
21%
2025
Math
46.3%
ELA
30.9%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Van Buren Co High School Compares

See how Van Buren Co High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
90th percentile in TN
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Sports
4
3 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
3 boys'·1 girls'·2 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 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 6.3/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Pikeville), a more accessible option. Another option is White County High School (rated 5.5/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Sparta), a more accessible option. Additionally, Warren County Alternative Academy (rated 3.1/10, 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 8.8
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 11.0 mi 7.3
Findlay Elementary Sparta 14.1 mi 9.3
Bon De Croft Elementary Sparta 15.2 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 16.9 mi
Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville 18.2 mi 6.7
Bledsoe County High School Pikeville 18.1 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 17.7 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
Copper Basin High School Copperhill, TN 8.4
South Fulton Middle / High School South Fulton, TN 8.4
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy Chattanooga, TN 8.2
THE WEBB SCHOOL Bell Buckle, TN 8.0
Riverside High School Decaturville, TN 7.8
ST CECILIA ACADEMY Nashville, TN 7.8

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 ranks #181 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Van Buren Co High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren Co High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Van Buren Co High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Buren Co High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.8%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

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

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