Smith Middle School ranked in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools overall from 2010 to 2023, declining from #461 in 2010 to #1265 in 2023 in state rankings for this Birmingham public middle school.
Math proficiency was 1% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, with a long–term decline since 2013 when it reached 70%; reading proficiency was 15%, lower than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency ranged between 10–14%, also lower than the state average.
Enrollment fell from 685 students in 2001 to 426 in 2023, with student–teacher ratio rising to 25:1 in 2023; minority enrollment has remained very high at 99%, with a majority Black student body (83% in 2023) and a high percentage of students eligible for free lunch (82% in 2023).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 336 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in AL
- Math Proficiency: ≤1% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Smith Middle School serves the northeast part of Birmingham, AL, covering an area of approximately 5.7 square miles. It typically takes parents 5 to 10 minutes to drive to the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 4.9 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Smith Middle School's student population of 336 students has declined by 21% over five school years.
The teacher population of 16 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
336 students
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Total Classroom Teachers
16 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
School Rankings
Smith Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Smith Middle School is 0.28, 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
#1265 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤1%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Hispanic
12%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 28-year historical data
Black
84%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 37-year historical data
White
1%
50%
Showing 2011–2025. View full 37-year historical data
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. View full 37-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)73.2%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
86%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 29-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Showing 2012–2024. View full 26-year historical data
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smith Middle School's ranking?
Smith Middle School is ranked #1265 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤1% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 15% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Smith Middle School?
336 students attend Smith Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
84% of Smith Middle School students are Black, 12% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Smith Middle School?
Smith Middle School has a student ration of 21:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Smith Middle School offer ?
Smith Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Smith Middle School part of?
Smith Middle School is part of Birmingham City School District.
In what neighborhood is Smith Middle School located?
Smith Middle School is located in the Killough Springs neighborhood of Birmingham, AL.
School Reviews
Review Smith Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Can Public Schools Charge for Required Graduation Courses?
Can a public school charge for a course your child needs to graduate? Learn how state rules, course alternatives, summer programs, and fee waivers affect the answer, plus what parents should request before paying, accepting a substitute, or challenging a charge that threatens graduation plans.
Save Your Child's Work Before a School Account Closes
School accounts may close after graduation or a transfer, leaving important projects inaccessible. Learn what families should save, which deadlines to confirm, how to check exported files, and why shared links alone may not preserve your child's work for future applications, learning, or personal memories.
School Commute Time: When Distance Affects School Fit
Is your child's school commute becoming too demanding? Learn how to weigh educational benefits against daily strain, recognize warning signs, explore practical adjustments, and decide when a closer school fits.
