Dekalb County School District

110 South Public Square
Smithville, TN 37166-1728
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 1,000 students in Dekalb County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Tennessee.
Public Middle Schools in Dekalb County School District have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Tennessee public middle school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 34% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public middle school average of 40% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
7 Schools
671 Schools
# Students
3,644 Students
314,306 Students
# Teachers
n/a
5 Teachers
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.
This School District
State Average (TN)
#101 out of 147 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
25%
34%
32%
37%
26%
40%
87%
90%
(2022-23)
22.2%
23.6%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.39
0.59
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
13%
14%
% Black
7%
19%
% White
77%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $8,253 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,076. The school district revenue/student has declined by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $7,957 is less than the state median of $11,570. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
This School District
This State (TN)
Total Revenue
$30 MM
$12,104 MM
Spending
$29 MM
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student
$8,253
$12,076
Spending / Student
$7,957
$11,570

Best Dekalb County School District Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dekalb West Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Bulldog Ln
Dowelltown, TN 37059
(615) 536-5332
Gr: PK-8 | 466 students Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1132 West Broad St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-7987
Gr: 6-8 | 534 students Minority enrollment: 29%

Recent Articles

The School Choice Comparison Worksheet: 15 Factors Beyond Test Scores
The School Choice Comparison Worksheet: 15 Factors Beyond Test Scores
Compare public schools with confidence using this 15-factor worksheet that looks beyond test scores to school culture, programs, safety, and student support.
Boundary Changes and Rezoning: How to Protect Your Child's School Plan
Boundary Changes and Rezoning: How to Protect Your Child's School Plan
Learn why school boundary changes happen, how rezoning affects families, and the practical steps parents can take to protect their child's educational plan.
Teacher Turnover: How to Read the Warning Signs
Teacher Turnover: How to Read the Warning Signs
Learn how to identify warning signs of teacher turnover, what causes frequent staff changes, and how parents can evaluate school stability.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 7 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,644 students
  • Minority Enrollment: 23%
  • : 87% (Top 50% in TN)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • : 32% (Btm 50%)
  • : 26% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education

Quick Links