For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,039 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 45% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 36% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public elementary school average of 44% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,485 Schools
# Students
3,056 Students
712,874 Students
# Teachers
n/a
n/a
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
n/a
Student By Grade
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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#48 out of 147 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
37%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
40%
Graduation Rate
86%
87.3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)12.6%
23.6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.62
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
6%
16%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
87%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,597 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,487. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,372 is less than the state median of $14,224. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$35 MM
$14,500 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$35 MM
$14,237 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$11,597
$14,487
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$11,372
$14,224
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Smith County School District Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Forks River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
611 Cookeville Hwy
Elmwood, TN 38560
(615) 897-2676
Elmwood, TN 38560
(615) 897-2676
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Gordonsville Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
104 Main Street East
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8252
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8252
Gr: 3-6 | 311 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Defeated Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
451 Defeated Creek Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 774-3150
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 774-3150
Gr: PK-8 | 288 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Carthage Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
149 Skyline Dr
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-0433
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-0433
Gr: PK-4 | 465 students Minority enrollment: 19%
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
Gr: 5-8 | 289 students Minority enrollment: 19%
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
Gr: PK-2 | 210 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Union Heights Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
663 Lebanon Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-1975
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-1975
Gr: PK-8 | 268 students Minority enrollment: 14%
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