- Capshaw Elementary — 0.7 mi · Grades PK–4 · 515 students
- T T U Child Development Lab — 0.8 mi · Grades PK–PK · 20 students
- Cane Creek Elementary — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–4 · 447 students
- Avery Trace Middle School — 1.4 mi · Grades 5–8 · 724 students
- Jere Whitson Elementary — 1.6 mi · Grades PK–4 · 339 students
- Sycamore Elementary — 1.7 mi · Grades PK–4 · 337 students
- Putnam County VITAL — 2.1 mi · Grades PK–12 · 123 students
- Northeast Elementary — 2.2 mi · Grades PK–4 · 459 students
| Metric | Putnam County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 12,032 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 22 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,973/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 32% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County School District (this district) | 8/10 | 78th | 12,032 |
| Jackson County School District | 5/10 | 40th | 1,463 |
| Overton County School District | 5/10 | 41st | 3,102 |
| White County School District | 9/10 | 89th | 3,872 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 144 rated districts in TN → 78th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Tennessee Dept. of Education TCAP, Overall ELA & Overall Math, Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025–26 school year. Full methodology →
About Putnam County School District
Putnam County School District serves zip code 38503, covering Cookeville, Tennessee with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Putnam County School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Tennessee public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Tennessee’s TCAP assessments (2025–26 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Tennessee is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Putnam County School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Tennessee. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 38503
Children in zip code 38503 are assigned to Putnam County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 38503, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Putnam County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Tennessee districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cookeville
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Putnam County School District serves zip code 38503, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 38503. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Tennessee, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Putnam County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 38503.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Putnam County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 38503 data.