Rutherford Collegiate Prep

Rutherford Collegiate Prep is a K–7 public charter school in Murfreesboro, TN, serving 435 students under the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. The school's overall state ranking is low at 807th of 1,019 Tennessee schools (21st percentile), and the authorizing district itself ranks 127th of 141 districts, so the school operates in a challenging context. However, a closer look at the data reveals a more complex picture with some relative strengths alongside serious concerns.

Math is the biggest concern. RCP's all-grades math proficiency is 25.5%, well below the state average of 43% and far behind nearby schools like Stewarts Creek Elementary (74.2%), Brown's Chapel Elementary (67.8%), and Overall Creek Elementary (64.9%). English language arts is the school's only subject above its own district average: 31.1% proficiency versus 28.3%, but that still trails the roughly 45% average among surrounding schools. Social studies is especially weak at 25.8% compared to the state average of 51.4%.

Attendance is a relative bright spot, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 11.6% versus the state average of 18.3%. Yet the school spends $13,408 per student — more than several higher-performing neighbors like Blackman Elementary ($13,205, 49.2% math) and Stewarts Creek Elementary ($12,554, 74.2% math) — making cost-effectiveness a concern. There is also a steep grade-level decline: math proficiency falls from 32.7% in 3rd grade to 11.4% by 7th grade, while 4th grade science is strong at 43.2% before collapsing in later grades. The school is notably more effective for its African American students (48th percentile statewide) than for its Hispanic and White students (both 16th percentile), suggesting pockets of effectiveness to build on despite the overall low rating.