Dekalb County School District

110 South Public Square
Smithville, TN 37166-1728
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 2,149 students in Dekalb County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Tennessee.
Public Elementary Schools in Dekalb County School District have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 36% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public elementary school average of 43% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
6 Schools
1,500 Schools
# Students
2,933 Students
719,413 Students
# Teachers
213 Teachers
48,388 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

District Rank

Dekalb County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90-94% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (TN)
#108 out of 147 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Dekalb County  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
21%
31%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Dekalb County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
32%
37%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Dekalb County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
26%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Dekalb County  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
90-94%
90%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Dekalb County  School District and public school graduation rate of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.36
0.61
# American Indian Students
3 Students
1,225 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
8 Students
15,029 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
472 Students
106,507 Students
% Hispanic Students
16%
15%
# Black Students
50 Students
149,772 Students
% Black Students
2%
21%
# White Students
2,301 Students
410,765 Students
% White Students
79%
57%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
856 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
94 Students
35,256 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
118
29,574
# Students in K Grade:
207
74,511
# Students in 1st Grade:
214
76,014
# Students in 2nd Grade:
227
77,971
# Students in 3rd Grade:
241
74,743
# Students in 4th Grade:
210
75,052
# Students in 5th Grade:
244
75,941
# Students in 6th Grade:
228
75,064
# Students in 7th Grade:
230
70,062
# Students in 8th Grade:
230
69,763
# Students in 9th Grade:
192
5,469
# Students in 10th Grade:
205
5,392
# Students in 11th Grade:
201
4,910
# Students in 12th Grade:
186
4,947
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,253 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 $9,886 is less than the state median of $11,478. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (TN)
Total Revenue
$30 MM
$12,104 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Dekalb County  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$29 MM
$11,597 MM
This chart displays total spending of Dekalb County  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$10,253
$11,979
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Dekalb County  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$9,886
$11,478
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Dekalb County  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Dekalb County School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Dekalb West Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Bulldog Ln
Dowelltown, TN 37059
(615) 536-5332
Grades: PK-8
| 456 students
Rank: #22.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 North Congress Blvd
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-1575
Grades: 2-5
| 582 students
Rank: #33.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1132 West Broad St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-7987
Grades: 6-8
| 558 students
Rank: n/an/a
221 E Bryant St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4415
Grades: PK-2
| 553 students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,933 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 22%
  • : 90-94% (Btm 50% in TN)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 21% (Btm 50%)
  • : 32% (Btm 50%)
  • : 26% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education

Quick Links