Skip to main content

Average

#990 of 1,785 schools in TN

Whitthorne Middle School

Middle School · Maury County

915 Lion PKWY, Columbia, TN 38401

Enrollment

955

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#6 of 12

public schools

Tennessee middle schools

#151 of 338

In district

#17 of 23

Maury County

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Whitthorne Middle School

Whitthorne Middle School serves 955 students in grades 5-8 in Columbia, Tennessee, providing education in a mid-sized setting with 59 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1. This regular public school currently ranks in the 30th percentile among Tennessee's middle schools, placing 1260th out of 1796 schools statewide, with room for academic growth as the school focuses on student development. The school draws from a stable community where families have a median household income of $66,047 and median home values of $260,900.

About 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.1%, suggesting families are invested in their children's education and community well-being. With nearly 1,000 students, Whitthorne Middle School offers the advantages of a larger school environment while maintaining reasonable class sizes through its teaching staff. The school serves students during the critical middle school years when academic and social development are particularly important.

Whitthorne Middle School is situated in Columbia, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Maury County, providing students with access to both community resources and the benefits of a more intimate educational setting within the broader Nashville metropolitan region.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Whitthorne Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.4%
Math vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,063

Whitthorne Middle School — Students at Whitthorne Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.6%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
28.7%
ELA
26.4%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Whitthorne Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in TN
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

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 7.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, E. A. Cox Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 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 4.2
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 8.1
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 2.3 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 8.5
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 3.1 mi 6.2
Riverside Elementary Columbia 2.9 mi 5.6
Northfield Academy Columbia 3.0 mi 5.0
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 3.0 mi 4.2
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 5.2
R Howell Elementary Columbia 6.4 mi 6.3
HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka 8.0 mi 7.2
Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe 8.3 mi 6.2
Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant 8.4 mi 7.0
J E Woody Elementary Mt. Pleasant 8.6 mi 7.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whitthorne Middle School has a median household income of $69,467. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,200, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Brentwood Middle School Brentwood, TN 6.1
Hardin Valley Middle School Knoxville, TN 6.1
Northeast Middle School Jackson, TN 6.1
East Hamilton Middle School Apison, TN 6.0
Rossview Middle Clarksville, TN 6.0
Clinton Middle School Clinton, TN 6.2

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 is ranked #990 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Whitthorne Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitthorne Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Whitthorne Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitthorne Middle School has 16.6% math proficiency and 18.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (3,062/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.