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Putnam County

Tennessee · Public K-12

Public K-12 schools in Putnam County number 22 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 535 students per campus. By grade band, the county runs 12 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools.

7-year change in Putnam County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
11,776
+355 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
22
+2 (+10%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
75%
was 80%
% Hispanic
19%
was 14%
% Black
3%
was 3%
% Asian
1%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
22
1 districts
Enrollment
11,776
NCES CCD
Median income
$58,912
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
12
4,783 students
Middle
4
3,106 students
High
4
3,688 students
Combined / other
2
199 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Putnam County Public Schools
11,776 students · 1 district in Putnam County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Putnam County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
87%
Hispanic
8%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
75%
Hispanic
19%
Black
3%
Asian
1%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
29.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.7%
civilian labor
Median age
36
20.9% under 18

Test scores in Putnam County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 18 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.

See all 18 schools in Putnam County ranked by score →

All schools (22)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Cookeville High SchoolCookevilleHigh09-122,241·
Upperman High SchoolBaxterHigh09-12899·
Upperman Middle SchoolBaxterMiddle05-08851·
Prescott South Middle SchoolCookevilleMiddle05-08813·
Avery Trace Middle SchoolCookevilleMiddle05-08724·
Algood Middle SchoolCookevilleMiddle05-08718·
Prescott South ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04535·
Monterey High SchoolMontereyHigh07-12526·
Burks ElementaryMontereyElementaryPK-06515·
Capshaw ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04515·
Algood ElementaryAlgoodElementaryPK-04495·
Northeast ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04459·
Cane Creek ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04447·
Park View SchoolCookevilleElementaryPK-04416·
Cornerstone ElementaryBaxterElementary02-04378·
Jere Whitson ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04339·
Sycamore ElementaryCookevilleElementaryPK-04337·
Baxter PrimaryBaxterElementaryPK-01327·
Putnam County VITALCookevilleCombinedPK-12123·
White Plains AcademyAlgoodCombinedKG-1276·
Putnam Co Adult High SchoolCookevilleHigh09-1222·
T T U Child Development LabCookevilleElementaryPK-PK20·

Cities in Putnam County

Cookeville14 schoolsBaxter4 schoolsAlgood2 schoolsMonterey2 schools

About Putnam County

Putnam County is a moderately sized Tennessee county of about 82,558 residents, home to 22 public schools and roughly 11,776 students.

For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $58,912, about 30% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 13% of residents live below the federal poverty line.

On the level-by-level breakdown, Putnam County is built around 12 elementary schools (4,783 students), 4 middle schools (3,106), 4 high schools (3,688), and 2 combined or other schools.

Putnam County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 11,776 students on its own.

Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Putnam County has increased 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 11,421 students to 11,776. The school count climbed from 20 to 22 across the same 7-year window. Demographically, the Hispanic share of enrollment expanded from 14% to 19%.

On allk12, the community for Putnam County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Putnam County?
There are 22 public K-12 schools in Putnam County, Tennessee, with a combined enrollment of about 11,776.
How many high schools are in Putnam County?
Putnam County, Tennessee has 4 public high schools, serving approximately 3,688 students.
How many middle schools are in Putnam County?
Putnam County, Tennessee has 4 public middle schools, serving approximately 3,106 students.
How many elementary schools are in Putnam County?
Putnam County, Tennessee has 12 public elementary schools, serving approximately 4,783 students.
What is the largest school district in Putnam County?
Putnam County Public Schools is the largest school district in Putnam County, serving approximately 11,776 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
What is the population of Putnam County?
Putnam County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 82,558, with a median age of 36. About 20.9% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Putnam County?
Median household income in Putnam County is $58,912, below the Tennessee average of $61,364. About 12.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Putnam County?
Approximately 29.8% of adults 25 and older in Putnam County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the racial makeup of Putnam County?
Putnam County residents are approximately 87% White, 8% Hispanic, 2% Black, 1% Asian, 6% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of housing in Putnam County is owner-occupied?
Putnam County has about 36,506 housing units, of which roughly 61.2% are owner-occupied.

Putnam County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data