Collinwood Elementary School

Collinwood Elementary School is a PK–4 elementary school in Collinwood, Tennessee, serving 349 students as part of Wayne County Schools. In recent years, this school has transformed from a low-performing option into a solid mid-range choice: its statewide ranking jumped from the low 30th percentile to the 52nd percentile in 2025–2026, earning a 3-star rating. That makes Collinwood the stronger of the two PK–4 elementary schools in Wayne County, far ahead of Waynesboro Elementary, which sits in the 18th percentile. While it still trails South Lawrence Elementary (80th percentile) in neighboring Lawrence County, Collinwood's upward trajectory is unmistakable.

The school's test scores tell a positive story. In 2025–2026, Collinwood's ELA proficiency reached 51.8%—above the state average of 40.6% and dramatically higher than the district average of 29.9%. Both 3rd-grade and 4th-grade ELA exceed state averages, and 4th-grade science proficiency (54.4%) also tops the state. Math remains the biggest challenge: proficiency sits at 36.8% overall, below the state average of 43.0% but well above the district's 25.5%. Across all subjects, Collinwood beats its same-district counterpart Waynesboro Elementary by 13 to 19 percentage points, and its ELA proficiency is nearly tied with South Lawrence Elementary.

Collinwood stands out for its success with students who often face greater challenges: low-income students rank in the 66th percentile statewide and special education students in the 59th percentile—both well above the school's overall 52nd percentile ranking. The school spends $15,740 per student, more than nearby schools, and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 13.1. Chronic absenteeism has fallen from 20.5% to 14.3%, now below the state average. With broad-based gains in math, ELA, and science, Collinwood is clearly a bright spot in a district rated 1 star, and closing the math gap would likely push it even higher in future rankings.