Below Average
#1521 of 1,785 schools in TN
Smith County Middle School
Middle School · Smith County
134 Smith County Middle School LN, Carthage, TN 37030
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
313
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carthage
#4 of 5
public schools
Tennessee middle schools
#262 of 338
In district
#6 of 9
Smith County
About Smith County Middle School
Smith County Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Carthage, Tennessee. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 313 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Smith County Middle School reflects areas where there is room for growth, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) at 30%, Math at 36%, Science at 43%, and Social Studies at 41%.
The school ranks #1214 out of 1796 schools in Tennessee, placing it around the 32nd percentile. Smith County Middle School is situated in a remote rural area where community support plays an important role for both students and staff.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Smith County Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smith County Middle School — Students at Smith County Middle School score 34% 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: 4.3/10.
How Smith County Middle School Compares
See how Smith County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 37.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 30.8% (2025).
Location
134 Smith County Middle School LN, Carthage, TN 37030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Watertown Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jim Satterfield Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Hartsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DeKalb Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Smithville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carthage Elementary Carthage | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Smith County High School Carthage | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Gordonsville Elementary School Gordonsville | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Gordonsville High School Gordonsville | 3.9 mi | 3.8 |
| New Middleton Elementary Gordonsville | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Forks River Elementary Elmwood | 4.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Defeated Elementary Carthage | 7.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Union Heights Elementary Carthage | 6.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Watertown High School Watertown | 13.5 mi | 5.4 |
| DeKalb West Elementary Liberty | 15.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Tuckers Crossroads Elementary Lebanon | 12.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Watertown Middle School Watertown | 13.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Watertown Elementary Watertown | 14.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Trousdale Co Elementary Hartsville | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jim Satterfield Middle School Hartsville | 16.6 mi | 7.1 |
| De Kalb County Adult High School Smithville | 18.4 mi | — |
| DeKalb Middle School Smithville | 18.5 mi | 4.4 |
| De Kalb County High School Smithville | 18.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Macon County Junior High School Lafayette | 18.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Macon County High School Lafayette | 19.2 mi | 5.1 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Bolivar Middle School Bolivar, TN | 4.6 |
| Haywood Middle School Brownsville, TN | 4.6 |
| Huntsville Middle School Huntsville, TN | 4.6 |
| Orchard Knob Middle School Chattanooga, TN | 4.6 |
| East Hickman Middle School Lyles, TN | 4.5 |
| North Parkway Middle School Jackson, TN | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith County Middle School
What grades does Smith County Middle School serve?
Smith County Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Smith County Middle School?
Smith County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 313 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith County Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith County Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith County Middle School rank in TN?
Smith County Middle School is ranked #1521 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Smith County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith County Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith County Middle School has 36.3% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smith County Middle School a charter school?
No, Smith County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith County Middle School a Title I school?
No, Smith County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,705/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carthage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 313
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Smith County
- Phone
- (615) 735-8277
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smith County- District Enrollment
- 3,033
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,329
- District Rank
- #6 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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