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Spencer-Van-Buren-Courthouse-tn1Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
C
Schools in Spencer · Van Buren County School District

Spencer’s public schools score below 68% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation

29% of students in Spencer’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Tennessee average (37%). The grade covers the public school district serving Spencer, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
29%
▼ 8 pts vs TN 37%
2021–22
Math proficiency
30%
▼ 1 pts vs TN 31%
2021–22
Spent per student
$14.3K
▲ 9% vs TN $13.1K
FY2024
Schools in town
2
756 students on the public path
In brief

Spencer’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,279 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Van Buren Co High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Spencer’s grade

C+ Test scores

C: better than 32% of Tennessee school districts. Test scores are below the Tennessee average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Tennessee school districts we grade (147)Better than 32%
Lower resultsHigher results
Tennessee towns with similar household incomes (205)Better than 36%
C−B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 456 test results could put Spencer anywhere from C− to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Spencer’s students in the tested grades sat them (482 in math, 430 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Spencer, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Spencer ElementaryVan Buren County School DistrictB
6–12Van Buren Co High SchoolVan Buren County School DistrictC+

Spencer’s public schools are run by Van Buren County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Van Buren County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 756 students, up 2% since 2020–21
$14,279TN $13,059 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading29%
State average 36.8% · 430 students tested
Math30%
State average 31.1% · 482 students tested

Spencer vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Spencer’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SpencerCVan Buren County

Every school in Spencer

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Spencerby address
Spencer Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
372 studentsRate it →
Van Buren Co High School
High · Grades 6–12
C+
384 studentsRate it →

Questions about Spencer’s schools

Are Spencer’s schools good?

On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Spencer children attend score below 68% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Spencer in?

Van Buren County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 756 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

How much does Spencer spend per student?

$14,279 in Van Buren County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Spencer families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Spencer → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.