Smith County Schools

Smith County Schools is a nine-school district in Tennessee that serves about 3,056 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Overall, the district ranks 45th out of 141 Tennessee districts and scores at or above state averages in every core subject: math (47.7% proficient vs. 43.0% statewide), ELA (41.2% vs. 40.6%), science (52.1% vs. 46.9%), and social studies (59.4% vs. 51.4%). Every school in the district also keeps chronic absenteeism below the state average of 18.3%, a real strength for the area.

Gordonsville Elementary School is the clear standout, holding an 81st-percentile statewide ranking and leading the district in every subject — including 75.7% proficiency in 4th-grade science. Smith County Middle School is the district's most improved school, climbing from the 40th percentile to the 74th percentile in three years, and now leads the district in middle-school math at 51.4% proficiency. Defeated Elementary School earned a five-star rating and the district's highest rank last year before dipping to the 62nd percentile, but it still posts strong ELA (50.6%) and social studies (63.5%) scores. At the high school level, Gordonsville High School boasts an exceptional 97% graduation rate, while Smith County High School — though ranked slightly higher — graduates only 85.3% of its students but excels on End-of-Course exams like English II and Biology.

The district does have wide internal gaps. Carthage Elementary School ranked in just the 28th percentile, trailing Gordonsville Elementary by roughly 17 points in math and ELA and more than 25 points in science. Small schools like Forks River Elementary School also show volatile grade-level scores — a single grade can swing from 6% to 83% proficiency — so parents should interpret those numbers cautiously. Notably, spending does not clearly drive outcomes: Smith County High School spends the most per student ($14,491) yet has the lowest graduation rate, while top-performing Gordonsville Elementary spends a modest $11,865. New Middleton Elementary School serves only PK–2 and has no recent test data, making it hard to assess.