Top Rankings
Smith County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,008 students in Smith County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Tennessee.
Public Elementary Schools in Smith County School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 36% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% 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
9 Schools
1,500 Schools
# Students
3,033 Students
719,413 Students
# Teachers
214 Teachers
48,388 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 92% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#45 out of 147 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
31%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
37%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
40%

Graduation Rate
≥95%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.61
# American Indian Students
4 Students
1,225 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
19 Students
15,029 Students
% Asian Students
1%
2%
# Hispanic Students
171 Students
106,507 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
15%
# Black Students
48 Students
149,772 Students
% Black Students
1%
21%
# White Students
2,640 Students
410,765 Students
% White Students
87%
57%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
856 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
150 Students
35,256 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
125
29,574
# Students in K Grade:
219
74,511
# Students in 1st Grade:
244
76,014
# Students in 2nd Grade:
226
77,971
# Students in 3rd Grade:
216
74,743
# Students in 4th Grade:
233
75,052
# Students in 5th Grade:
210
75,941
# Students in 6th Grade:
238
75,064
# Students in 7th Grade:
226
70,062
# Students in 8th Grade:
244
69,763
# Students in 9th Grade:
208
5,469
# Students in 10th Grade:
213
5,392
# Students in 11th Grade:
221
4,910
# Students in 12th Grade:
210
4,947
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
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 Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Gordonsville Elementary School
(Math: 50% | 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: #22.
Forks River Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | 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: #33.
Defeated Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%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:
8/
Top 30%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.
Union Heights Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Recent Articles

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
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.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe 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.