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
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 51% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (256) 728-5950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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