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Average

#1411 of 1,786 schools in TN

South Middle School

Middle School · Franklin County

601 West Cumberland ST, Cowan, TN 37318

Enrollment

318

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,411 of 1,786

In Cowan

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#8 of 11

Franklin County

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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South Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Cowan · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cowan Elementary

5.9/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Franklin Co High School

5.8/10

3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Middle School

South Middle School is a public middle school in Cowan, TN, part of Franklin County. South Middle School serves approximately 318 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,411 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for South Middle School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • TN avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

South Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.9% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.9% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,602
Chronic Absenteeism26.1%

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 32.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 32 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
20%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
25%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
33%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
13.7%
ELA
17.2%
2025
Math
23.9%
ELA
23.9%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How South Middle School Compares

See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
21th percentile in TN
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

601 West Cumberland ST, Cowan, TN 37318

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sewanee Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Sewanee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hickerson Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Tullahoma), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broadview Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Winchester), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cowan, see our Cowan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cowan Elementary Cowan 1.5 mi 5.9
Franklin Co High School Winchester 3.5 mi 5.8
Decherd Elementary Decherd 3.9 mi 4.4
WINCHESTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winchester 3.5 mi 5.5
Clark Memorial School Winchester 5.0 mi 6.6
North Middle School Winchester 5.6 mi 3.9
Sewanee Elementary Sewanee 6.8 mi 9.4
ST ANDREW'S-SEWANEE SCHOOL Sewanee 8.9 mi 7.7
Rock Creek Elementary Estill Springs 9.7 mi 4.9
Broadview Elementary Winchester 9.2 mi 8.0
Pelham Elementary Pelham 13.1 mi 7.1
Monteagle Elementary Monteagle 12.6 mi 5.8
North Lake Elementary Tullahoma 14.0 mi 6.0
TULLAHOMA SDA SCHOOL Tullahoma 15.0 mi
Hillsboro Elementary Hillsboro 17.3 mi 7.6
Tullahoma Virtual Academy Tullahoma 16.5 mi 5.3
Huntland School Huntland 15.4 mi 5.6
Hickerson Elementary Tullahoma 17.6 mi 8.1
Jack T Farrar Elementary Tullahoma 16.6 mi 6.9
East Lincoln Elementary Tullahoma 16.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37318 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,484

Median Home Value

$132,200

Median Rent

$715/mo

Population

2,245

College Educated

11.8%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

32.5%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
H. G. Hill Middle Nashville, TN 5.0
Margaret Allen Middle Nashville, TN 5.0
Harpeth Middle School Kingston Springs, TN 4.9
Livingston Middle School Livingston, TN 5.1
Madisonville Middle School Madisonville, TN 4.9
Power Center Academy Middle - Southeast Memphis, TN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Middle School

What grades does South Middle School serve?

South Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend South Middle School?

South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Middle School rank in TN?

South Middle School ranks #1,411 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 South Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Middle School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Middle School a charter school?

No, South Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Middle School a Title I school?

No, South Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Franklin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.1%

District

Franklin County
District Enrollment
4,977
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,602
District Rank
#8 of 11

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