Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.9%
Math vs. State Avg-4.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,176

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.1%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
18%
2025
Math
34.3%
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: 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.

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in TN
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (766/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spencer). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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.