Average
#1411 of 1,786 schools in TN
South Middle School
Middle School · Franklin County · Cowan, TN
A Franklin County middle school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
601 West Cumberland ST, Cowan, TN 37318
- Math 24% vs TN 39% (2025)
- Reading 24% vs TN 41% (2025)
- 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at South Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
2025 TCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. TN average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 12 points since 2020, reaching 24% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 22% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 32 test records from TN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 30Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Low177/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$41,484
Median home value
$132,200
Median rent
$715/mo
College educated
11.8%
Homeownership
62.2%
Poverty rate
32.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 37318; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 in Franklin County
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntland SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.6 | PK–12 | Not available | 662 | Compare → |
| North Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 3.9 | 6–8 | Not available | 577 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Franklin County
- Schools in district
- 11
- Rank in district
- #8 of 11
- District spending per student
- $11,602NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Middle School is listed in Franklin County; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Middle School
South Middle School is a public middle school in Cowan, TN, part of Franklin County, serving approximately 318 students in grades 6th-8th with a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,411 of 1,786 schools in TN. State assessment records show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- 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%
- Phone
- (931) 967-7355
- Area population (ZIP 37318)
- 2,245
- Area average commute
- 24.4 min
- Area median age
- 35
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 37318; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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