Evans Block · Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0Smithville’s public schools score below 73% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation
21% of students in Smithville’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Tennessee average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Smithville, 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.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Smithville’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 60 Tennessee towns with household incomes within a quarter of Smithville’s, its schools beat 42%, higher than their 27% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee (the state reports Smithville’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,339 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Northside Elementary, then DeKalb Middle School, then De Kalb County High School. Enrollment is up 25% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Dekalb Christian Academy (private) is in town. DeKalb County Schools Adult Education Virtual School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Smithville’s grade
C: better than 27% of Tennessee school districts, #144 of 176 Tennessee towns. Both inputs trail the Tennessee average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Smithville, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Smithville
Smithville Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 535 students
Kindergarten in Smithville
Smithville Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 535 students
1st grade in Smithville
Smithville Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 535 students
2nd grade in Smithville · depends on your address
Northside Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 544 students
Smithville Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 535 students
3rd grade in Smithville
Northside Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 544 students
4th grade in Smithville
Northside Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 544 students
5th grade in Smithville
Northside Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 544 students
6th grade in Smithville
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 534 students
7th grade in Smithville
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 534 students
8th grade in Smithville
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 534 students
9th grade in Smithville
De Kalb County High School
Grades 9–12 · 781 students
10th grade in Smithville
De Kalb County High School
Grades 9–12 · 781 students
11th grade in Smithville
De Kalb County High School
Grades 9–12 · 781 students
12th grade in Smithville
De Kalb County High School
Grades 9–12 · 781 students
Smithville’s public schools are run by DeKalb County School District, which also serves Alexandria, Dowelltown and Liberty. 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.
Below the state in reading
Smithville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Smithville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Smithville | C | DeKalb County |
Every school in Smithville
6 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (De Kalb County Adult High School).
Questions about Smithville’s schools
Are Smithville’s schools good?
On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Smithville children attend score below 73% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #144 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Smithville in?
DeKalb County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,644 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Smithville kids go to high school?
De Kalb County High School, with 781 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Smithville’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in DeKalb County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Smithville spend per student?
$11,339 in DeKalb County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Smithville?
Yes: Dekalb Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 86 students).
Parents talk
What Smithville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Smithville → 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.