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Below Average

#1597 of 1,786 schools in TN

De Kalb County High School

High School · DeKalb County

1130 West Broad ST, Smithville, TN 37166

Enrollment

783

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,597 of 1,786

In Smithville

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

DeKalb County

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De Kalb County High School

4.2/10

High School in Smithville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dekalb Middle School

5.0/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

De Kalb County Adult High School

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About De Kalb County High School

De Kalb County High School is a public high school in Smithville, TN, part of DeKalb County. De Kalb County High School serves approximately 783 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. De Kalb County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,597 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for De Kalb County High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below TN schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • TN avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.4% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,613
Chronic Absenteeism25.4%

De Kalb County High School — Students at De Kalb County High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
18.2%
ELA
39.4%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How De Kalb County High School Compares

See how De Kalb County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in TN
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
8
3 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
0.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics8sports offered
3 boys'·5 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1130 West Broad ST, Smithville, TN 37166

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering De Kalb County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gordonsville High School (rated 6.3/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Gordonsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cannon County High School (rated 4.3/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Woodbury), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Smithville, see our Smithville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
DeKalb Middle School Smithville 0.1 mi 5.0
De Kalb County Adult High School Smithville 0.2 mi
DEKALB CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithville 2.6 mi 8.3
Smithville Elementary Smithville 2.6 mi 7.4
Northside Elementary Smithville 2.6 mi 6.6
DeKalb West Elementary Liberty 8.3 mi 6.9
Dibrell Elementary Mcminnville 11.3 mi 6.0
Gordonsville High School Gordonsville 14.6 mi 6.3
Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville 14.7 mi 6.6
Forks River Elementary Elmwood 17.1 mi 6.8
CENTERTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mc Minnville 17.1 mi
Cannon County High School Woodbury 15.3 mi 4.3
Cassville Elementary Sparta 14.1 mi 9.0
New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville 16.5 mi 7.5
Centertown Elementary Mcminnville 18.3 mi 5.6
FAULKNER SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mc Minnville 18.1 mi
Cannon County Elementary School Woodbury 16.1 mi 4.1
Cannon County Middle School Woodbury 16.1 mi 2.7
Smith County Middle School Carthage 18.6 mi 5.2
Cornerstone Elementary Baxter 17.2 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37166 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,713

Median Home Value

$183,600

Median Rent

$768/mo

Population

15,116

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

65.6%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

22%

Median Age

42.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ripley High School Ripley, TN 4.2
Cannon County High School Woodbury, TN 4.3
Greenbrier High School Greenbrier, TN 4.3
Raleigh-Egypt High Memphis, TN 4.3
Bolton High Arlington, TN 4.1
Pearl-Cohn High Nashville, TN 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about De Kalb County High School

What grades does De Kalb County High School serve?

De Kalb County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend De Kalb County High School?

De Kalb County High School has an enrollment of approximately 783 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at De Kalb County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at De Kalb County High School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does De Kalb County High School rank in TN?

De Kalb County High School ranks #1,597 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is De Kalb County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

De Kalb County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at De Kalb County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, De Kalb County High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is De Kalb County High School a charter school?

No, De Kalb County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is De Kalb County High School a Title I school?

No, De Kalb County High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.4%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
2,933
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,613
District Rank
#5 of 5

How we rate schools

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