For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,033 students in Smith County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Tennessee.
Public Schools in Smith County School District have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,925 Schools
# Students
3,033 Students
1,010,424 Students
# Teachers
214 Teachers
66,546 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Smith County School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#48 out of 147 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
40%
Graduation Rate
86%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.61
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
6%
15%
% Black
1%
21%
% White
87%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,246 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,979. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,720 is less than the state median of $11,478. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$12,104 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,246
$11,979
Spending / Student
$9,720
$11,478
Best Smith County School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Forks River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
611 Cookeville Hwy
Elmwood, TN 38560
(615) 897-2676
Elmwood, TN 38560
(615) 897-2676
Grades: PK-8
| 220 students
Rank: #22.
Gordonsville Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
104 Main Street East
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8252
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8252
Grades: 3-6
| 312 students
Rank: #33.
Defeated Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
451 Defeated Creek Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 774-3150
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 774-3150
Grades: PK-8
| 260 students
Rank: #44.
Carthage Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
149 Skyline Dr
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-0433
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-0433
Grades: PK-4
| 424 students
Rank: #55.
Smith County Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
134 Smith County Middle School
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-8277
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-8277
Grades: 5-8
| 313 students
Rank: #66.
New Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
402 New Middleton Hwy
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8411
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8411
Grades: PK-2
| 237 students
Rank: #77.
Smith County High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
312 Fite Ave
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-9219
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-9219
Grades: 9-12
| 493 students
Rank: #88.
Union Heights Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
663 Lebanon Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-1975
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-1975
Grades: PK-8
| 242 students
Rank: #99.
Gordonsville High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
110 Main Street East
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8245
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8245
Grades: 7-12
| 532 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Smith County School District?
Smith County School District manages 9 public schools serving 3,033 students.
What is the rank of Smith County School District?
Smith County School District is ranked #44 out of 147 school districts in Tennessee (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Smith County School District?
87% of Smith County School District students are White, 6% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Smith County School District?
Smith County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 15:1.
What is Smith County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $9,720 is less than the state median of $11,478. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
