For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 3,644 students in Dekalb County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
Public Schools in Dekalb County School District have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 23% 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
7 Schools
1,907 Schools
# Students
3,644 Students
1,000,905 Students
# Teachers
n/a
n/a
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
n/a
Student By Grade
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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#101 out of 147 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
37%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
40%
Graduation Rate
87%
87.3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)22.2%
23.6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.62
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
13%
16%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
7%
20%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
77%
57%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $9,509 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,487. The school district revenue/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,750 is less than the state median of $14,224. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$35 MM
$14,500 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$36 MM
$14,237 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$9,509
$14,487
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$9,750
$14,224
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Dekalb County School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dekalb West Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
101 Bulldog Ln
Dowelltown, TN 37059
(615) 536-5332
Dowelltown, TN 37059
(615) 536-5332
Gr: PK-8 | 466 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
De Kalb County High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1130 West Broad St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4094
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4094
Gr: 9-12 | 781 students Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 North Congress Blvd
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-1575
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-1575
Gr: 2-5 | 544 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1132 West Broad St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-7987
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-7987
Gr: 6-8 | 534 students Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
242 Tiger Dr
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 497-2254
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 497-2254
Gr: 10-12
110 South Public Square
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4084
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4084
Gr: 9-12 | 784 students Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
221 E Bryant St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4415
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4415
Gr: PK-2 | 535 students Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Dekalb County School District?
Dekalb County School District manages 7 public schools serving 3,644 students.
What is the rank of Dekalb County School District?
Dekalb County School District is ranked #104 out of 147 school districts in Tennessee (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Dekalb County School District?
77% of Dekalb County School District students are White, 13% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is Dekalb County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $9,750 is less than the state median of $14,224. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
