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Smith-county-courthouse-tn1Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0
B
Schools in Carthage · Smith County School District

Carthage’s public schools outscore 64% of Tennessee districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Carthage, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.

≈could be anywhere from C+ to A−K–12Where will my kid go?

From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
40%
▲ 3 pts vs TN 37%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▲ 2 pts vs TN 31%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs TN 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.7K
▼ 11% vs TN $13.1K
FY2024
Schools in town
2
2,535 students on the public path
In brief

Carthage’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 40% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 37% and 31% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,672 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then five middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carthage’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 64% of Tennessee school districts. Test scores are above the Tennessee average; graduation is below it.

Tennessee school districts we grade (147)Better than 64%
Lower resultsHigher results
Tennessee towns with similar household incomes (225)Better than 67%
C+A−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 1,826 test results and a graduating class of 196 could put Carthage anywhere from C+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Carthage’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,908 in math, 1,745 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carthage, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Carthage ElementarySmith County School DistrictB+
5–85 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to A−
9–12Smith County High SchoolSmith County School DistrictB

Carthage’s public schools are run by Smith County School District, which also serves Gordonsville and South Carthage. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Smith County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 9 schools · 3,056 students, up 2% since 2020–21
$11,672TN $13,059 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading40%
State average 36.8% · 1745 students tested
Math33%
State average 31.1% · 1908 students tested

Carthage vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Carthage’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarthageBSmith County

Every school in Carthage

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Carthageby address
Carthage Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4
B+
465 studentsRate it →
Smith County High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
476 studentsRate it →
Also serving Carthagein other towns
Defeated Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8
A−
288 studentsRate it →
Union Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C+
268 studentsRate it →
Forks River Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Elmwood
B+
208 studentsRate it →
Smith County Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
289 studentsRate it →
Gordonsville High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Gordonsville
C+
541 studentsRate it →

Questions about Carthage’s schools

Are Carthage’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Tennessee: the public schools Carthage children attend outscore 64% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carthage in?

Smith County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,056 students in 9 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carthage kids go to high school?

Smith County High School, with 476 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Carthage’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Smith County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.

How much does Carthage spend per student?

$11,672 in Smith County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Carthage families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carthage → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.