PUTNAM COUNTY, TENN. - Putnam County Schools proudly announces that eight schools have improved their state letter grades, reflecting the district's commitment to academic excellence. Five PCSS schools achieved the coveted "A" grade, a testament to the hard work of students, teachers, staff, and the community.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for our schools, and it showcases the dedication of our educators, staff, students, and families,” said Corby King, PCSS Director of Schools. “We are committed to fostering an environment where every child can succeed, and these results demonstrate the impact of that commitment. I’m proud of our entire district and grateful for the collaborative effort that made this achievement possible.”

The schools that improved their letter grades are Algood Elementary, Burks Elementary, Jere Whitson Elementary, Northeast Elementary, Park View Elementary, Prescott South Elementary, and Upperman High School. The improving grades exemplify the district's focus on academic rigor, innovative teaching strategies, and robust student support systems.

The schools earning “A” grades are Algood Middle School, Burks, Cookeville High, Northeast, and Prescott South Elementary. AMS and CHS have held a letter grade of “A” for two years in a row.

Due to assessment shipping errors outside of the district and school’s control, the Capshaw Elementary “student growth score” was calculated lower than expected (which resulted in CES missing a letter grade of “A” by .10 of a point).

Several factors determine school letter grades for each school, including student achievement, academic growth, growth of the highest-need students, and a measure of college and career readiness for high schools.

School Letter Grades are available via a public dashboard on the Tennessee Department of Education website.

As the district celebrates these milestones, it remains committed to ensuring continuous growth and success for all schools and students. The Tennessee Department of Education recognized seven Putnam County Schools with “Reward School” status earlier in the month. The seven schools are the most Putnam County has ever had in a single school year.

In November, PCSS celebrated academic achievement and growth throughout the 2024 – 2025 school year by earning the highest possible growth score of Level 5 for the second year in a row.

“I continue to be inspired by the performance of each of our schools and their commitment to student success,” said PCSS Superintendent Corby King. “We continue to see gains in both academic achievement and growth. “Our success would not be possible without the support of our parents, community stakeholders, and Board of Education.”