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Needs Improvement

#1680 of 1,786 schools in TN

Whitthorne Middle School

Middle School · Maury County

915 Lion PKWY, Columbia, TN 38401

Enrollment

955

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,680 of 1,786

In Columbia

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#20 of 23

Maury County

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Whitthorne Middle School

3.7/10

Middle School in Columbia · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

J. R. Baker Elementary

8.2/10

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

Columbia Central High School

2.9/10

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

About Whitthorne Middle School

Whitthorne Middle School is a public middle school in Columbia, TN, part of Maury County. Whitthorne Middle School serves approximately 955 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Whitthorne Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,680 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Whitthorne Middle School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • TN avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.5% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.3% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-19.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,129
Chronic Absenteeism29.3%

Whitthorne Middle School — Students at Whitthorne Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 30.5% (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
30%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
28%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
15.6%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
23.5%
ELA
24.3%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Whitthorne Middle School Compares

See how Whitthorne Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in TN
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

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

915 Lion PKWY, Columbia, TN 38401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whitthorne Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts (rated 5.8/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, E. A. Cox Middle School (rated 3.4/10, 6.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
J. R. Baker Elementary Columbia 0.2 mi 8.2
Columbia Central High School Columbia 0.2 mi 2.9
WHITE STONE ACADEMY Columbia 1.4 mi 4.6
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 1.4 mi 4.2
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Columbia 1.8 mi
J E Woodard Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 7.3
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 2.3 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 7.2
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 3.1 mi 7.1
Riverside Elementary Columbia 2.9 mi 5.4
Northfield Academy Columbia 3.0 mi 2.6
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 3.0 mi 4.4
ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 3.9 mi 4.9
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia 4.0 mi 6.6
E. A. Cox Middle School Columbia 6.2 mi 3.4
R Howell Elementary Columbia 6.4 mi 4.2
HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka 8.0 mi 7.2
Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe 8.3 mi 8.4
Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant 8.4 mi 5.8
J E Woody Elementary Mt. Pleasant 8.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,467

Median Home Value

$295,200

Median Rent

$1,084/mo

Population

66,696

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

71.8%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

39

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kate Bond Middle School Memphis, TN 3.7
Sherwood Middle Memphis, TN 3.8
American Way Middle Memphis, TN 3.6
A. Maceo Walker Middle Memphis, TN 3.9
Apollo Middle Antioch, TN 3.9
Cordova Middle Cordova, TN 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whitthorne Middle School

What grades does Whitthorne Middle School serve?

Whitthorne Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Whitthorne Middle School?

Whitthorne Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 955 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitthorne Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whitthorne Middle School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whitthorne Middle School rank in TN?

Whitthorne Middle School ranks #1,680 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Whitthorne Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitthorne Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Whitthorne Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitthorne Middle School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Whitthorne Middle School a charter school?

No, Whitthorne Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whitthorne Middle School a Title I school?

No, Whitthorne Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
955
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Maury County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

District

Maury County
District Enrollment
13,084
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,129
District Rank
#20 of 23

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