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
Enrollment
955
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whitthorne Middle School — Students at Whitthorne Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Whitthorne Middle School Compares
See how Whitthorne Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 28.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 26.4% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (931) 388-2558
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maury County- District Enrollment
- 13,084
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,129
- District Rank
- #17 of 23
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
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