Summary:
Zip code 38506 (Cookeville, TN) is served by two public middle schools—Prescott South Middle School and Algood Middle School—both covering grades 5–8 within the Putnam County Schools district, which ranks in the 60th percentile statewide. Both schools earn 4-star ratings and significantly outperform Tennessee state averages in most subjects, making this a strong area for middle school education.
While the two schools are close in overall ranking—Algood sits at #84 and Prescott at #88—they shine in different areas. Algood's standout is advanced math: 94.3% of its 8th graders score proficient in Algebra I, well above the state average of 88.3%, and it also leads in social studies (60.8% vs. Prescott's 57.0%). Prescott, however, posts higher all-grades proficiency in mathematics (63.4% vs. 59.4%), English language arts (50.1% vs. 43.7%), and science (52.9% vs. 52.0%). Prescott is also improving faster, with year-over-year gains of +3.1 points in math and +4.8 points in ELA, while Algood saw declines in science and social studies. Notably, Algood's 5th-grade ELA proficiency is just 36.3%, a 15.6-point gap behind Prescott's 51.9%, though Algood's 6th-grade ELA jumps to 50.0%.
Both schools share a strong attendance culture, with chronic absenteeism around 13.2–13.3%—well below the district (17.3%) and state (18.3%). Spending differs notably, with Algood spending $13,248 per student versus Prescott's $11,657, yet Prescott achieves better core subject results at lower cost. For families, the choice comes down to priorities: Algood offers exceptional Algebra I access and social studies strength, while Prescott provides broader academic proficiency, rapid improvement, and more efficient spending. Either way, both schools are high-achieving options in a district that outperforms the state.
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