Smith County School District
School District · Carthage, Tennessee
Avg Rating
6.8
out of 10
Schools
9
6 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,329
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Avg Rating
6.8
out of 10
Schools
9
6 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,329
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Evaluating Smith County?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Smith County as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Defeated Elementary
Carthage · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
New Middleton Elementary
Gordonsville · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Carthage Elementary
Carthage · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Tennessee rank
#53 of 134
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Tennessee avg
Per-pupil spending
$10,329
$1,082 vs Tennessee median
District size
3,033 students
Typical than Tennessee median
The short answer
Smith County ranks #53 of 134 Tennessee districts by overall school rating. Smith County's schools with real test data average 6.8/10 across 9 schools. Its top-rated schools are Defeated Elementary (8.8/10), New Middleton Elementary (7.5/10), and Carthage Elementary (7.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Smith County
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (9 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defeated Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | New Middleton Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Carthage Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Forks River Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Smith County High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Gordonsville Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Union Heights Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Gordonsville High School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Smith County Middle School | 5.2 / 10 |
See all 9 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Smith County
Smith County is a Carthage, Tennessee school district serving 9 schools. The district educates 3,033 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1. The district invests $10,329 per student annually.
With an average rating of 6.8/10, Smith County demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Defeated Elementary, which has a composite score of 8.8/10.
In standardized testing, Smith County students show an average math proficiency of 44.8% and ELA proficiency of 43.6%.
The district includes 6 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Smith County, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Smith County with test data.
Schools in Smith County
9 schools Elementary Schools 6
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 2
District Details
- State
- Tennessee
- City
- Carthage
- Total Enrollment
- 3,033
- Teachers (FTE)
- 214
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Smith County?
Smith County has 9 schools in total — 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Smith County?
The average composite rating for Smith County is 6.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Smith County?
Smith County spends $10,329 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Smith County?
The average student-teacher ratio in Smith County is 14.2:1.
What is the top-rated school in Smith County?
Defeated Elementary is the highest-rated school in Smith County with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What are the test scores in Smith County?
Across schools in Smith County with test data, the average math proficiency is 44.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 43.6%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Smith County compare to other districts in Tennessee?
Smith County has an average school rating of 6.8/10 across 9 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Tennessee by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 44.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 43.6%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in TN
Compare Smith County with neighboring districts in the state.
- Memphis-shelby County Schools (222)
- Davidson County (162)
- Knox County (94)
- Hamilton County (81)
- Sumner County (52)
- Williamson County (52)
- Rutherford County (51)
- Montgomery County (44)
- Sevier County (33)
- Madison County (26)
- Wilson County (25)
- Maury County (23)
- Robertson County (23)
- Blount County (22)
- Putnam County (22)
- Anderson County (19)
- Hamblen County (18)
- Bradley County (18)
- Greene County (18)
- Hawkins County (18)
- Roane County (18)
- Dickson County (17)
- Sullivan County (17)
- Campbell County (16)
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.
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