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Average

#1058 of 1,356 schools in AL

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle

Middle School · Marshall County

6077 Main St, Grant, AL 35747

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grant

#3 of 3

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#157 of 262

In district

#10 of 12

Marshall County

About Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle

Kate Duncan Smith DAR Middle School serves students in grades 5 through 8 in the small rural community of Grant, Alabama, nestled in Marshall County. With an enrollment of 364 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 across 21 full-time teachers, the school offers a relatively close-knit classroom environment where students have reasonable access to their instructors. Academically, the school shows some areas of strength alongside room for growth.

In ELA and reading, 51% of students score at or above proficiency, reflecting a solid foundation in literacy across grade levels. Math proficiency stands at 28%, suggesting this is an area where students and teachers are working toward improvement. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 23rd percentile among Alabama schools, indicating meaningful opportunity for academic development.

The surrounding Grant community provides a stable backdrop for families, with a median household income of $78,750 and a relatively low poverty rate of 7.7%. About 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the median home value in the 35747 ZIP code sits at approximately $219,100. With a ZIP population of just over 6,500, this is a tight-knit rural area where community connection tends to play a meaningful role in school life.

Families drawn to smaller-town living and personalized learning environments may find Kate Duncan Smith DAR Middle a comfortable fit.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,202

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle — Students at Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
51%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle Compares

See how Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in AL
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

6077 Main St, Grant, AL 35747

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Guntersville Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Guntersville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Collins Intermediate School (rated 6.1/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Scottsboro), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Scottsboro Junior High School (rated 5.7/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Scottsboro), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grant, see our Grant schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Kate D Smith DAR High School Grant 0.0 mi 5.3
Kate D Smith DAR Elementary School Grant 0.0 mi 7.4
Woodville High School Woodville 6.2 mi 3.9
New Hope Elementary School New Hope 8.4 mi 7.8
New Hope High School New Hope 8.5 mi 5.3
Guntersville Middle School Guntersville 12.5 mi 6.2
Guntersville Elementary School Guntersville 12.8 mi 9.7
Asbury High School Albertville 13.4 mi 4.6
Asbury Elementary School Albertville 13.5 mi 8.3
Madison County Elementary School Gurley 13.6 mi 7.1
Owens Cross Roads School Owens Cross Roads 12.1 mi 7.8
Thurston T Nelson Elementary School Scottsboro 13.0 mi 7.9
Guntersville High School Guntersville 15.1 mi 5.5
MARSHALL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Albertville 15.4 mi 6.6
Cherokee Elementary School Guntersville 15.3 mi 8.1
Brindlee Mountain Primary School Guntersville 14.4 mi 8.2
Brindlee Mountain High School Guntersville 14.5 mi 6.0
Collins Intermediate School Scottsboro 14.7 mi 6.1
Scottsboro Junior High School Scottsboro 14.8 mi 5.7
Albertville Kindergarten and PreK Albertville 17.2 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,750

Median Home Value

$219,100

Median Rent

$663/mo

Population

6,546

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

89.3%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle has a median household income of $78,750. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,100, with a median rent of $663/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bush Hills STEAM Academy Birmingham, AL 5.2
Central Jr High School of Clay County Lineville, AL 5.2
Green Acres Middle School Birmingham, AL 5.2
Monroeville Middle School Monroeville, AL 5.2
Ashville Middle School Ashville, AL 5.3
Booker T Washington Middle School Mobile, AL 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle

What grades does Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle serve?

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle?

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle rank in AL?

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle is ranked #1058 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle has 27.7% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle a charter school?

No, Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle a Title I school?

No, Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle?

41.5% of students at Kate Duncan Smith Dar Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,293/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grant). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Marshall County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marshall County
District Enrollment
6,040
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,172
District Rank
#10 of 12

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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