Middle Schools in Putnam County Schools

Middle Schools in Putnam County Schools serve grades 5–8 across four schools in the Cookeville/Baxter area of Tennessee, with total enrollments ranging from 718 to 851 students. Algood Middle School and Prescott South Middle School are the clear standouts. Algood ranks 84th out of 594 Tennessee middle schools (4 stars) and leads in social studies (60.8% proficient) and Algebra I (94.3%), while Prescott South ranks 88th (4 stars) and posts the highest proficiency in math (63.4%), ELA (50.1%), and science (52.9%). Both also have the lowest chronic absenteeism at about 13%. Avery Trace Middle School is a solid mid-tier option ranked 259th (3 stars), with strong advanced course results — Algebra I at 93.9% and English I at 92.3% — and a dramatic 12-point improvement in social studies. Upperman Middle School ranks 320th (2 stars) and trails the other schools in every core subject, with especially low 8th grade ELA proficiency at 22.8%.

Chronic absenteeism closely tracks performance across the district. The two top schools, Prescott South and Algood, have absenteeism rates around 13%, while Avery Trace sits at 18.0% and Upperman reaches 22.1% — well above the district (17.3%) and state (18.3%) averages. This suggests attendance is a key factor parents should consider. Meanwhile, spending per student does not align with outcomes: Algood spends the most at $13,248 and ranks highest, but Upperman spends the least at $11,592 and ranks lowest, and Avery Trace outspends Prescott South yet ranks below it. Advanced course success is a district-wide strength, with all four schools showing Algebra I proficiency above 91% in recent years, indicating strong acceleration opportunities for prepared students.

Parents will find encouraging trends despite the gaps. Avery Trace and Upperman both made notable year-over-year gains in social studies, and Upperman improved ELA proficiency from 28.3% to 31.2%. The district overall performs near or above state averages in most subjects, but the gap between the top two schools and the lower two is substantial, especially in math, ELA, and science. For families prioritizing academic consistency and attendance, Algood and Prescott South are the strongest choices, while Avery Trace offers a balanced middle ground and Upperman shows room for targeted improvement in literacy and attendance.