Very Good
#693 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 39% in state
Smithson Craighead Academy
Elementary School · Davidson County
730 Neely's Bend RD, Madison, TN 37115
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee schools
#693 of 1,786
In Madison
#2 of 6
public schools
In district
#46 of 154
Davidson County
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Smithson Craighead Academy
Elementary School in Madison · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Madison Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Madison Campus Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Smithson Craighead Academy
Smithson Craighead Academy is a public elementary school in Madison, TN, part of Davidson County. Smithson Craighead Academy serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Smithson Craighead Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #693 of 1,786 schools in TN.
Structured state assessment records for Smithson Craighead Academy show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 6.6
- TN avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Smithson Craighead Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Smithson Craighead Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
37% of students at Smithson Craighead Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smithson Craighead Academy — Students at Smithson Craighead Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 29 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: 8.0/10.
How Smithson Craighead Academy Compares
See how Smithson Craighead Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
730 Neely's Bend RD, Madison, TN 37115
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smithson Craighead Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dan Mills Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Nashville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MADISON CAMPUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MADISON ACADEMY Madison | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| MADISON CAMPUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Madison | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Madison Middle Madison | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Amqui Elementary Madison | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Madison | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Stratton Elementary Madison | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Neely's Bend Elementary Nashville | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| THE EDISON SCHOOL Madison | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| THE EDISON SCHOOL Madison | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Isaac Litton Middle Nashville | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| FAMILY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Old Hickory | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Dan Mills Elementary Nashville | 2.6 mi | 9.6 |
| GOODPASTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Madison | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Gateway Elementary Madison | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| DuPont Elementary Old Hickory | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Chadwell Elementary Madison | 2.5 mi | 3.2 |
| The Academy at Opry Mills Nashville | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| East End Preparatory School Nashville | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Pennington Elementary Nashville | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Liberty Collegiate Academy Nashville | 3.4 mi | 1.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,034
Median Home Value
$271,100
Median Rent
$1,263/mo
Population
41,303
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
45.1%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
20.1%
Median Age
38.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ashland City Elementary Ashland City, TN | 7.0 |
| Briarwood School Camden, TN | 7.0 |
| Carter's Valley Elementary Church Hill, TN | 7.0 |
| Graysville Elementary School Dayton, TN | 7.0 |
| Lake City Elementary Lake City, TN | 7.0 |
| Meigs North Elementary Decatur, TN | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smithson Craighead Academy
What grades does Smithson Craighead Academy serve?
Smithson Craighead Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Smithson Craighead Academy?
Smithson Craighead Academy has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smithson Craighead Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Smithson Craighead Academy is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smithson Craighead Academy rank in TN?
Smithson Craighead Academy ranks #693 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Smithson Craighead Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Smithson Craighead Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Smithson Craighead Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Smithson Craighead Academy has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Smithson Craighead Academy a charter school?
Yes, Smithson Craighead Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Smithson Craighead Academy a Title I school?
No, Smithson Craighead Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 333
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Davidson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.2%
- Phone
- (615) 228-9886
Resources & Links
District
Davidson County- District Enrollment
- 80,468
- Schools in District
- 162
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,808
- District Rank
- #46 of 154
Other Schools in This District
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