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
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Smith County High School — Students at Smith County High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Smith County High School Compares
See how Smith County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 48.2% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (615) 735-9219
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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