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Below Average

#1602 of 1,785 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Smithville

#4 of 4

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#332 of 361

In district

#5 of 5

DeKalb County

About De Kalb County High School

De Kalb County High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Smithville, Tennessee, with an enrollment of 783 students. The school operates as a regular public high school with 54 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a student-teacher ratio of 14.5 to 1. Academically, the school is currently focused on student development across all subject areas.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 38 percent of students are performing at proficient levels or above. Mathematics proficiency stands at 16 percent, while Science shows 12 percent of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. Social Studies proficiency reaches 26 percent across grade levels.

These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth and improvement in core subjects, particularly in mathematics and science instruction. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 places it in the lower range statewide, ranking 1,333 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools. This positioning reflects the current academic performance data and suggests the school community may be working toward strengthening student achievement.

De Kalb County High School is situated in the town setting of Smithville, providing a community-based educational environment for high school students in DeKalb County.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.4%
Math vs. State Avg-21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,893

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 →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
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: 5.0/10.

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
10th percentile in TN
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

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. Cannon County High School (rated 4.2/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Woodbury), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gordonsville High School (rated 3.8/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Gordonsville), with a comparable 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 4.4
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 7.1
Northside Elementary Smithville 2.6 mi 8.1
DeKalb West Elementary Liberty 8.3 mi 5.4
Dibrell Elementary Mcminnville 11.3 mi 6.0
Gordonsville High School Gordonsville 14.6 mi 3.8
Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville 14.7 mi 7.2
Forks River Elementary Elmwood 17.1 mi 3.6
CENTERTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mc Minnville 17.1 mi
Cannon County High School Woodbury 15.3 mi 4.2
Cassville Elementary Sparta 14.1 mi 8.8
New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville 16.5 mi 5.4
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 3.9
Cannon County Middle School Woodbury 16.1 mi 2.5
Smith County Middle School Carthage 18.6 mi 4.6
Cornerstone Elementary Baxter 17.2 mi 8.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding De Kalb County High School has a median household income of $46,713. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,600, with a median rent of $768/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Cannon County High School Woodbury, TN 4.2
Forrest School Chapel Hill, TN 4.1
Freedom Preparatory Academy Flagship Memphis, TN 4.1
Wooddale High Memphis, TN 4.1
Chattanooga Preparatory School Chattanooga, TN 4.0
Greenbrier High School Greenbrier, TN 4.0

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 is ranked #1602 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

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

De Kalb County High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 De Kalb County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, De Kalb County High School has 15.7% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (1,650/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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