Best Schools in Carthage, Tennessee
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Carthage?
Use this page to compare every school in Carthage by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Defeated Elementary
Elementary · Smith County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carthage Elementary
Elementary · Smith County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Smith County High School
High · Smith County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carthage for 2026 are Defeated Elementary (8.8/10), Carthage Elementary (7.3/10), and Smith County High School (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$226,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$226,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Carthage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defeated Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Carthage Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Smith County High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Union Heights Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Smith County Middle School | 5.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $57,510
- Median home value
- $226,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carthage compares
Tennessee rank
#55 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$58k
89% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Carthage, Tennessee
Carthage, Tennessee is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Carthage show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carthage is Defeated Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carthage is served by 1 school district: Smith County. These districts collectively serve 3,033 students.
Carthage's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,510. The poverty rate in the area is 14.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 260 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 424 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 242 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 313 students · 5th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 493 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Carthage
Carthage, Tennessee · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,510
Median Home Value
$226,000
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
7,889
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Community Profile
Carthage has a median household income of $57,510. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carthage, Tennessee
How many schools are in Carthage, Tennessee?
Carthage has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carthage, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carthage is 6.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carthage, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Defeated Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carthage, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Defeated Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Carthage, Tennessee?
The top-ranked middle school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Smith County Middle School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best high school in Carthage, Tennessee?
The top-ranked high school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Smith County High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Carthage, Tennessee?
Carthage is served by 1 school district: Smith County.
What is the education level in Carthage, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Carthage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carthage, Tennessee?
The median household income in Carthage is approximately $57,510 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carthage, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carthage is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carthage, Tennessee?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.