Smith County School District

126 S C M S Lane
Carthage, TN 37030-1879
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,056 students in Smith County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Tennessee.
Public Schools in Smith County School District have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,914 Schools
# Students
3,056 Students
1,002,390 Students
# Teachers
n/a
6 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
n/a
n/a

Student By Grade

District Rank

Smith County School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 94% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (TN)
#48 out of 147 school districts
(Top 50%)
36%
34%
40%
37%
43%
40%
86%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.24
0.62
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
6%
16%
% Black
1%
20%
% White
87%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,169 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,075. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,647 is less than the state median of $11,570. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (TN)
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$12,104 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,169
$12,075
Spending / Student
$9,647
$11,570

Best Smith County School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Forks River Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
611 Cookeville Hwy
Elmwood, TN 38560
(615) 897-2676
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Gordonsville Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
104 Main Street East
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8252
Gr: 3-6 | 311 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Defeated Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
451 Defeated Creek Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 774-3150
Gr: PK-8 | 288 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Carthage Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
149 Skyline Dr
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-0433
Gr: PK-4 | 465 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Smith County Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
134 Smith County Middle School
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-8277
Gr: 5-8 | 289 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #66.
New Middleton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
402 New Middleton Hwy
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8411
Gr: PK-2 | 210 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Smith County High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
312 Fite Ave
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-9219
Gr: 9-12 | 476 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Union Heights Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
663 Lebanon Hwy
Carthage, TN 37030
(615) 735-1975
Gr: PK-8 | 268 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Gordonsville High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
110 Main Street East
Gordonsville, TN 38563
(615) 683-8245
Gr: 7-12 | 541 students Minority enrollment: 8%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Smith County School District?
Smith County School District manages 9 public schools serving 3,056 students.
What is the rank of Smith County School District?
Smith County School District is ranked #44 out of 147 school districts in Tennessee (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Smith County School District?
87% of Smith County School District students are White, 6% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is Smith County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $9,647 is less than the state median of $11,570. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,056 students
  • Minority Enrollment: 13%
  • : 86% (Btm 50% in TN)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 36% (Top 50%)
  • : 40% (Top 30%)
  • : 43% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education

Quick Links