Summary:
DeKalb County Schools is a 2-star district in Tennessee serving 2,860 students across five schools in DeKalb County, including one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools, and it ranks 96th out of 141 Tennessee districts (32nd percentile). The district performs below state averages on many academic metrics, with chronic absenteeism at 15.2% and average per-student spending of $13,214.
DeKalb West Elementary School is the district's strongest academic performer in grades 5 through 8, exceeding district and state averages in multiple subjects, yet its rank has slipped from the 64th to the 39th percentile because 3rd-grade math proficiency is just 13.2%. Northside Elementary School leads the district in literacy and attendance, with 44.4% ELA proficiency and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 12.8%. DeKalb Middle School is the area of greatest concern, posting the lowest ELA proficiency (26.9%) and absenteeism of 19.3%.
De Kalb County High School has improved its statewide rank from 34th to 42nd percentile thanks to big gains in Algebra I and Biology, but proficiency in US History (19.1%) and Biology (29.1%) remains far below state averages, and chronic absenteeism is high at 23.0%. Smithville Elementary School has no test data because it serves only PK through 2nd grade, but it spends the most per student ($15,257) and has low absenteeism. The clearest pattern is that absenteeism rises with grade level, and middle school literacy is the district's biggest challenge to address.
Thank you for your feedback!