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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Putnam County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 12,039 students in Putnam County, TN (there are 10 private schools, serving 519 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Putnam County, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN are Capshaw Elementary School, Algood Elementary School and Prescott South Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Putnam County, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Putnam County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Putnam County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Capshaw Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 Cougar Ln
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2414
Gr: PK-4 | 515 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Algood Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2525 Old Walton Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 303-0362
Gr: PK-4 | 495 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Prescott South Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
115 W. Cemetery Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 526-2275
Gr: PK-4 | 535 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Dodson Branch Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
16221 Dodson Branch Hwy
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 268-0761
Gr: PK-8 | 250 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Cornerstone Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
371 First Avenue South
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-9190
Gr: 2-4 | 378 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Algood Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
540 Dry Valley Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 537-6141
Gr: 5-8 | 718 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Prescott South Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1859 S. Jefferson St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-3647
Gr: 5-8 | 813 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Cane Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1500 West Jackson St
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-1173
Gr: PK-4 | 447 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
575 N Old Kentucky Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2978
Gr: PK-4 | 459 students Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1010.
Avery Trace Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
230 Raider Dr
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2200
Gr: 5-8 | 724 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1111.
Cookeville High School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Cavalier Dr
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2287
Gr: 9-12 | 2,241 students Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1212.
Park View School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2000 Lee Seminary Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 526-2516
Gr: PK-4 | 416 students Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
Burks Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
300 Crossville St
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-7641
Gr: PK-6 | 515 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Sycamore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
452 Ellis Ave
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9322
Gr: PK-4 | 337 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1515.
Upperman Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6700 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-6601
Gr: 5-8 | 851 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1616.
Monterey High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
710 East Commercial Ave
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Gr: 7-12 | 526 students Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1717.
Jere Whitson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
178 East Jere Whitson Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-6575
Gr: PK-4 | 339 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1818.
Upperman High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6950 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3112
Gr: 9-12 | 899 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1919.
White Plains Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
288 E. Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Gr: K-12 | 76 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Baxter Primary
125 Elmore Town Road
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3110
Gr: PK-1 | 327 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Putnam Co Adult High School
268 East Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-8685
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
T T U Child Development Lab
720 Quadrangle
Cookeville, TN 38505
(931) 372-6262
Gr: PK | 20 students Minority enrollment: 15%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN?
The top-ranked public schools in Putnam County, TN include Capshaw Elementary School, Algood Elementary School and Prescott South Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Putnam County?
23 public schools are located in Putnam County.
What percentage of students in Putnam County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Putnam County are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Putnam County?
Putnam County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Putnam County are often viewed compared to one another?

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