Summary:
Carthage, Tennessee, has one middle school — Smith County Middle School, part of Smith County Schools — serving 289 students in grades 5 through 8. This single school stands out for its remarkable upward trajectory: its state ranking improved from the 40th percentile (2 stars) in 2023–2024 to the 74th percentile (4 stars) in 2025–2026, moving from 355th to 152nd in the state in just two years.
Academically, Smith County Middle School now exceeds Tennessee state averages in all four core subjects. In 2025–2026, proficiency rates reached 51.4% in Mathematics, 59.0% in Social Studies, 51.4% in Science, and 37.1% in English Language Arts, compared to statewide rates of 43.0%, 51.4%, 46.9%, and 40.6%, respectively. The largest single-year gains came in Social Studies (+18.6 points) and Mathematics (+13.4 points). Grade-level highlights include 6th grade math (58.2% proficient vs. 40.1% statewide) and a standout 7th grade social studies performance (75.0% vs. 56.0% statewide). The school also outperforms its own district in mathematics by nearly 4 points.
However, not every area is strong. English Language Arts remains a clear weakness, especially in 8th grade, where just 26.1% of students are proficient — below both the district (31.7%) and state (32.3%) — and 5th grade math also trails its comparison groups. Chronic absenteeism sits at 13.8%, better than the state average of 18.3% but noticeably above the district’s 10.2%, and per-student spending is $12,297. Overall, Smith County Middle School is clearly on an upward path, with exceptional math and social studies outcomes and rapid statewide gains, but it will need to address ELA gaps, particularly in 8th grade, and monitor attendance to keep its momentum going.
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