For the 2026-27 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 3,897 students in Putnam County, TN.
The top-ranked public high schools in Putnam County, TN are Cookeville High School, Monterey High School and Upperman High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Putnam County, TN public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Tennessee public high school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 40% statewide average). High schools in Putnam County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Tennessee public high schools.
Putnam County, TN public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the Tennessee average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Cookeville High School, with 89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Tennessee or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Putnam County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cookeville High School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Cavalier Dr
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2287
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 520-2287
Gr: 9-12 | 2,241 students Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Monterey High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
710 East Commercial Ave
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2970
Gr: 7-12 | 526 students Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Upperman High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6950 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3112
Baxter, TN 38544
(931) 858-3112
Gr: 9-12 | 899 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
White Plains Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
288 E. Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Gr: K-12 | 76 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
268 East Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-8685
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-8685
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Minority enrollment: 64%
Putnam County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Dry Valley Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
3860 Phifer Mountain Rd
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 528-1847
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 528-1847
Gr: 1-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
242 East 10th St
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9777
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-9777
Gr: 5-6
112 Elm
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2791
Monterey, TN 38574
(931) 839-2791
Gr: PK-6 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Putnam County, TN?
The top-ranked public high schools in Putnam County, TN include Cookeville High School, Monterey High School and Upperman High School.
How many public high schools are located in Putnam County?
6 public high schools are located in Putnam County.
What is the racial composition of students in Putnam County?
Putnam County public high schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public high schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Putnam County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Putnam County include: Upperman High School vs. Cookeville High School, White Plains Academy vs. Cookeville High School, Monterey High School vs. Cookeville High School
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.