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DeKalb West Elementary School

Q: Is DeKalb West Elementary School a good school?

DeKalb West Elementary School ranks 619 th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-8

619^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 39% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

DeKalb West Elementary School is a PK-8 school in Liberty, Tennessee, that serves 466 students in the DeKalb County Schools district. The school has historically been a solid performer, earning 3- or 4-star ratings and ranking between the 56th and 73rd percentiles from roughly 2016 through 2024, but its most recent 2025-2026 ranking dropped sharply to 2 stars and the 39th percentile statewide. DeKalb West still beats district averages in every subject, but it now trails the state in math (38.6% vs. 43.0%), science (39.6% vs. 46.9%), and social studies (48.6% vs. 51.4%) — a reversal from the prior year, when it exceeded state averages in most subjects.

The grade-level data reveals an unusual split. Third grade is a major concern, with math proficiency at just 13.2% compared to 42.6% statewide, and ELA and science also well below state averages. Middle grades, by contrast, are a clear strength: 6th grade ELA proficiency is 59.6% vs. 39.8% statewide, and 7th grade social studies is 61.4% vs. 56.0%. The special education subgroup has also collapsed from the 57th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 6th percentile in 2025-2026. In the regional picture, Northside Elementary in the same district is now essentially tied with DeKalb West in overall rank, while Tuckers Crossroads Elementary and Lascassas Elementary in the nearby Wilson County Schools and Rutherford County Schools districts post notably stronger math scores (55.5% and 66.6%, respectively). DeKalb West clearly outperforms Cannon County Elementary, which has math proficiency of just 24.6%.

On the positive side, chronic absenteeism at DeKalb West is 14.6%, better than the district (15.2%) and state (18.3%) averages, and the school spends $12,438 per student, less than most comparable schools including Smithville Elementary ($15,257) and New Middleton Elementary ($13,655). A standout historical data point: in 2022-2023, DeKalb West reported 50% proficiency in Algebra I compared to just 9.9% districtwide. The clearest path forward is in early elementary literacy and math, and in stabilizing special education outcomes — areas where the middle grades show the school already has the capacity to succeed.

466

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,438

Per pupil spending ?

29.6%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

101 Bulldog Lane
Liberty, TN 37059

(615) 536-5332

District: DeKalb County Schools

Students who attend DeKalb West Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	DeKalb Middle School
High:	De Kalb County Adult High School
	De Kalb County High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.3%

Hispanic:

4.7%

Two or more races:

3.4%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare DeKalb West Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 56th percentile in 2015 → 39th in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2015

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school41%

District avg38%

Tennessee avg45%

Elementary school

619^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Bottom 39%▼ down 31 pts since 2017

From top 30% (2017) to bottom 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

187^th of 594

Tennessee public middle schools ?

Top 31%▼ down 17 pts since 2017

From top 15% (2017) to top 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the DeKalb County Schools

96^th of 141DeKalb County Schools among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	41.7	619 of 1019	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	55.3	416 of 1009	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.0	362 of 1018	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.7	317 of 1020	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.7	351 of 1000	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.6	380 of 983	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.6	267 of 985	72.9%	★★★★☆
2018	61.3	309 of 997	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.2	194 of 646	70.0%	★★★★☆
2015	57.8	379 of 855	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	53.0	394 of 853	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	51.2	531 of 846	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.0	351 of 820	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	37.4	576 of 818	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	31.8	608 of 809	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	53.8	408 of 986	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.0	369 of 990	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.5	325 of 989	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.9	305 of 975	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.2	236 of 945	75.0%	★★★★☆
2019	64.0	268 of 926	71.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	50.4	398 of 823	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.6	331 of 843	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	208 of 853	75.6%	★★★★☆
2023	66.1	213 of 865	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	47.6	413 of 858	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	241 of 823	70.7%	★★★★☆
2019	51.7	348 of 821	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.2	348 of 877	60.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	54.7	399 of 984	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.3	349 of 991	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.2	325 of 987	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.2	378 of 980	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.6	490 of 941	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	61.2	278 of 916	69.7%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	18.7	601 of 641	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	36.1	375 of 618	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.7	249 of 582	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.6	226 of 528	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.1	237 of 447	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	28.0	653 of 849	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.2	494 of 840	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.9	417 of 847	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.6	373 of 852	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.0	380 of 844	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.5	380 of 844	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.4	303 of 812	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.7	335 of 841	60.2%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	64.0	187 of 594	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.5	168 of 583	71.2%	★★★★☆
2024	52.7	254 of 587	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.6	166 of 594	72.1%	★★★★☆
2022	69.8	124 of 569	78.2%	★★★★☆
2021	57.3	197 of 576	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.9	108 of 574	81.2%	★★★★☆
2018	83.6	51 of 563	90.9%	★★★★★
2017	74.5	54 of 362	85.1%	★★★★☆
2015	65.2	169 of 492	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	50.4	261 of 485	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	69.4	145 of 475	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	74.7	105 of 466	77.5%	★★★★☆
2011	84.3	55 of 462	88.1%	★★★★☆
2010	83.9	56 of 435	87.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	58.1	202 of 546	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.8	216 of 554	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.3	126 of 560	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	78.6	73 of 552	86.8%	★★★★☆
2021	54.5	203 of 538	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.6	134 of 529	74.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	295 of 478	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	76.4	61 of 490	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	66.7	108 of 510	78.8%	★★★★☆
2023	75.9	61 of 514	88.1%	★★★★☆
2022	81.5	34 of 495	93.1%	★★★★★
2021	76.7	44 of 483	90.9%	★★★★★
2019	44.8	259 of 490	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	87.4	13 of 481	97.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	69.4	134 of 550	75.6%	★★★★☆
2024	46.4	280 of 560	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.0	200 of 557	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.1	179 of 540	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.9	193 of 529	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.7	82 of 523	84.3%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	49.3	230 of 494	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.7	224 of 492	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.3	257 of 504	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.2	177 of 503	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.8	143 of 500	71.4%	★★★★☆
2021	50.7	212 of 496	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.9	141 of 484	70.9%	★★★★☆
2018	77.6	70 of 481	85.4%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2025)59th percentile~ school

Female (2025)59th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile+12 vs school

White (2026)23rd percentile-16 vs school

Special Education (2026)6th percentile-33 vs school

Middle school

Male (2025)76th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)63rd percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)53rd percentile-15 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)38th percentile-30 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies49%-3 vs state

English Language Arts42%~ state avg

Science40%-7 vs state

Mathematics39%-4 vs state

★

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Schools Near DeKalb West Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)							TNReady English Language Arts (2026)							TNReady Algebra I (2026)		TNReady Science (2026)							TNReady Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Algebra I 8th Grade	TNReady Algebra I All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
DeKalb West Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	101 Bulldog Lane	Liberty	37059	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 536-5332	456	30	15.4	29.6%	409 (89.7%)	12 (2.6%)	22 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.6%)	41.7	619^th of 1019 public elementary schools	39.3%		55.3	416^th of 1009 public elementary schools	58.8%	203	13.2	34.6	50.9	48.1	40.9	45.5	38.6	35.8	32.7	39.6	59.6	45.5	38.6	41.9			28.3	42.3	34.0	42.3	47.7	45.5	39.6	40.4	61.4	45.5	48.6	$12,438	$1,926	$9,428
Watertown Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	741 West Main Street	Watertown	37184	Wilson County	Wilson County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 237-3821	565	38	14.8	20.6%	480 (85.0%)	15 (2.7%)	37 (6.5%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	28 (5.0%)	69.9	254^th of 1019 public elementary schools	75.1%		57.1	394^th of 1009 public elementary schools	61.0%	140	57.7	59.6	57.1				58.1	44.3	57.3	51.2				50.7			51.5	56.2	52.4				53.3					$12,021	$869	$10,507
Northside Elementary School	Public	2-5	400 North Congress Boulevard	Smithville	37166	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 597-1575	582	46	12.6	32.2%	446 (76.6%)	9 (1.5%)	106 (18.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.4%)	41.8	616^th of 1019 public elementary schools	39.5%		39.4	614^th of 1009 public elementary schools	39.1%	2	28.2	40.5	37.0				35.4	48.3	43.2	42.4				44.4			36.6	41.2	40.2				39.5					$13,388	$2,019	$10,459
Smithville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	221 E Bryant Street	Smithville	37166	DeKalb County	DeKalb County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 597-4415	553	44	12.4	35.1%	435 (78.7%)	6 (1.1%)	97 (17.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.4%)								(n/a)																												$15,257	$2,515	$11,644
New Middleton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	402 New Middleton Highway	Gordonsville	38563	Smith County	Smith County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 683-8411	237	16	14.8	20.0%	203 (85.7%)	3 (1.3%)	7 (3.0%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (8.4%)								(n/a)																												$13,655	$796	$11,733
Gordonsville Elementary School	Public	3-6	104 Main Street East	Gordonsville	38563	Smith County	Smith County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 683-8252	312	18	17.3	22.2%	281 (90.1%)	3 (1.0%)	15 (4.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.2%)	75.4	194^th of 1019 public elementary schools	81.0%		74.7	196^th of 1009 public elementary schools	80.6%	2	53.3	64.3	68.3	42.1			54.8	58.7	67.1	45.0	36.4			50.3			60.0	75.7	55.0	57.9			61.9	66.4			66.4	$11,865	$691	$10,249
Cannon County Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	530 West Adams Street	Woodbury	37190	Cannon County	Cannon County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(629) 218-3201	317	18	17.4	32.8%	283 (89.3%)	8 (2.5%)	19 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	18.7	867^th of 1019 public elementary schools	14.9%		20.4	839^th of 1009 public elementary schools	16.8%	28	10.8	38.6	21.6				24.6	13.5	32.6	24.3				23.9			10.8	47.7	16.2				26.3					$14,040	$1,063	$12,030
Cannon North Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3714 Murfreesboro Road	Readyville	37149	Cannon County	Cannon County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(629) 218-3178	239	16	15.2	18.5%	226 (94.6%)	3 (1.3%)	5 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)	34.1	707^th of 1019 public elementary schools	30.6%		20.6	835^th of 1009 public elementary schools	17.2%	128	43.8	28.6	32.4				34.6	41.4	22.9	40.5				34.7			43.8	34.3	32.4				36.5					$11,793	$725	$10,294
Forks River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	611 Cookeville Highway	Elmwood	38560	Smith County	Smith County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 897-2676	220	16	13.9	21.6%	205 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.7%)	39.8	635^th of 1019 public elementary schools	37.7%		54.6	423^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	58.1%	212	22.7	31.8	38.1	43.8	62.1	70.6	44.9	40.9	36.4	33.3	43.8	65.5	17.6	41.7			54.5	45.5	47.6	25.0	62.1	52.9	49.6	6.3	82.8	58.8	56.5	$12,818	$880	$10,841
Tuckers Crossroads Elementary School	Public	K-8	5905 Trousdale Ferry PIKE	Lebanon	37087	Wilson County	Wilson County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(615) 444-3956	368	32	11.5	17.6%	291 (79.1%)	9 (2.4%)	52 (14.1%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)	67.5	283^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	72.2%		69.9	237^th of 1009 public elementary schools	76.5%	46	27.5	62.5	65.4	59.1	59.0	77.8	55.5	45.1	53.8	57.7	56.8	41.0	43.3	49.3			33.3	70.0	61.5	59.1	59.0	70.0	57.0	54.5	76.9	66.7	65.5	$14,776	$1,125	$12,849

Frequently Asked Questions about DeKalb West Elementary School

Is DeKalb West Elementary School a good school?

DeKalb West Elementary School ranks 619^th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is DeKalb West Elementary School in?

DeKalb County Schools

What is the racial makeup of DeKalb West Elementary School?

Students at DeKalb West Elementary School are 89% White, 5% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What schools do graduates of DeKalb West Elementary School attend?

Students who attend DeKalb West Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : DeKalb Middle School
High : De Kalb County Adult High School
High : De Kalb County High School

How many students attend DeKalb West Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 466 students attended DeKalb West Elementary School.

Rate DeKalb West Elementary School!

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.