Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School, a Marshall County Title–I eligible middle school in Grant, AL, serves grades 5–8 with 364 students and a student–teacher ratio of 17:1 as of 2023.
The school's overall ranking declined from #242 in 2010 to #539 in 2023, placing it in the top 50% of Alabama schools.
Math proficiency was 24%, lower than the state average of 30%, showing a downward trend from a high of 88% in 2012; reading proficiency was 51%, higher than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged from 40–44%, higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment stabilized near 364 students in 2023 after a decline from 442 students in 2016, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch decreased from 52% in 2016 to 34% in 2023.
The student body is 90% white with minority enrollment at 10%, and the school employs 22 teachers supporting various learning needs without virtual instruction options.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 5-8
- Enrollment: 376 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 12%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 51% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-44% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: KATE DUNCAN SMITH DAR MIDDLE serves the northwest part of Grant, AL, covering an area of approximately 305.8 square miles. Families typically drive 20-30 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 10.8 miles from the school to the edge of the attendance zone, which extends up to 23.4 miles at its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School's student population of 376 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 21 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 5-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
376 students
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
Year Founded
1924
School Calendar
Campus Size
240 acres
School Motto
children be trained in the knowledge and practice of pure and noble citizenship.
School Rankings
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School is 0.22, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#539 out of 1275 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
17:1
American Indian
2%
1%
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
6%
12%
Black
1%
31%
White
88%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)12.8%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School's ranking?
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School is ranked #539 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School often compared to?
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Kate D Smith Dar Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 51% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School?
376 students attend Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
88% of Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School students are White, 6% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% 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 Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School?
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School offer ?
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School offers enrollment in grades 5-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School part of?
Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle School is part of Marshall County School District.
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