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Very Good

#587 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 33% in state

Smith County High School

High School · Smith County

312 Fite AVE, Carthage, TN 37030

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carthage

#2 of 5

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#80 of 361

In district

#3 of 9

Smith County

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Smith County High School

Smith County High School serves 493 students in grades 9-12 in Carthage, Tennessee, offering a solid educational experience with a favorable 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio and 43 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as a strong performer statewide, ranking #202 out of 1,796 Tennessee high schools and placing in the 89th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This regular public high school provides students with the advantages of smaller class sizes and more individualized attention that comes with its manageable enrollment.

The school's strong state ranking suggests it effectively serves its student body despite the rural setting's unique challenges and opportunities. The surrounding community in ZIP code 37030 reflects a working-class area with a median household income of $53,412 and median home values around $196,200. With 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.8%, the community demonstrates a mix of economic circumstances that the school serves.

Smith County High School is situated in a remote rural area of Smith County, providing students with a close-knit educational environment away from urban distractions while maintaining academic excellence that places it among Tennessee's top-performing high schools.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Smith County High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.2%
Math vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,034

Smith County High School — Students at Smith County High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 42.4%
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
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
22.7%
ELA
48.2%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Smith County High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in TN
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Location

312 Fite AVE, Carthage, TN 37030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Trousdale Co High School (rated 7.8/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Hartsville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Watertown High School (rated 5.4/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Watertown), a more accessible option. Additionally, Macon County High School (rated 5.1/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Lafayette), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Carthage Elementary Carthage 0.5 mi 4.5
Smith County Middle School Carthage 1.9 mi 4.6
Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville 5.7 mi 7.2
Gordonsville High School Gordonsville 5.8 mi 3.8
Forks River Elementary Elmwood 5.1 mi 3.6
Defeated Elementary Carthage 5.9 mi 9.0
New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville 6.1 mi 5.4
Union Heights Elementary Carthage 6.1 mi 7.0
Trousdale Co Elementary Hartsville 13.9 mi 5.8
Tuckers Crossroads Elementary Lebanon 13.2 mi 8.6
Watertown High School Watertown 14.7 mi 5.4
Watertown Middle School Watertown 15.1 mi 8.1
Macon County Junior High School Lafayette 17.1 mi 3.6
DeKalb West Elementary Liberty 17.3 mi 5.4
Macon County High School Lafayette 17.3 mi 5.1
Watertown Elementary Watertown 15.5 mi 5.2
Jim Satterfield Middle School Hartsville 15.3 mi 7.1
MACON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lafayette 18.5 mi 4.5
Trousdale Co High School Hartsville 16.5 mi 7.8
Fairlane Elementary Lafayette 19.1 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,510

Median Home Value

$226,000

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

7,889

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

31.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smith County High School has a median household income of $57,510. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Mt Pleasant High School Mt. Pleasant, TN 7.2
Obion County Central High School Troy, TN 7.2
GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chattanooga, TN 7.3
Power Center Academy High School Memphis, TN 7.3
Central High School Englewood, TN 7.1
Lead Academy Nashville, TN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith County High School

What grades does Smith County High School serve?

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

How many students attend Smith County High School?

Smith County High School has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Smith County High School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith County High School rank in TN?

Smith County High School is ranked #587 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Smith County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith County High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Smith County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith County High School has 22.2% math proficiency and 42.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smith County High School a charter school?

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

Is Smith County High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,705/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Smith County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Smith County
District Enrollment
3,033
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,329
District Rank
#3 of 9

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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