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Wallace A. Smith Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

98^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 90% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Wallace A. Smith Elementary School is a highly rated public elementary school in Ooltewah, Tennessee, serving 589 students in grades PK–5 as part of Hamilton County Schools. The school has earned 5 stars and ranks 98th out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary schools – the highest rank among its neighboring schools. In the most recent testing year, proficiency rates were 66.8% in math, 67.9% in English language arts, and 68.6% in science, all roughly 25–30 points above district and state averages. Attendance is also a strength: chronic absenteeism has hovered around 8–10% in recent years, about half the district average.

Compared with nearby schools, Wallace A. Smith stands out especially in math and science. It leads the immediate cluster with 66.8% math proficiency, ahead of Westview Elementary (64.1%), Ooltewah Elementary (58.0%), and Big Ridge Elementary (53.6%). Its science proficiency of 68.6% also tops the group. Only Westview edges it out in ELA (70.4% vs. 67.9%). Per-pupil spending at Wallace A. Smith reached $17,132 in 2024–25, but higher spending doesn’t always predict success: some lower-performing nearby schools, including Wolftever Creek Elementary and McConnell Elementary, spend slightly more per student.

Within the school, 4th grade is especially strong, with 77.5% proficiency in both math and science. The school also posts outstanding results for historically underserved groups: its African American students rank 18th statewide, Hispanic students rank 11th, low-income students rank 48th, and special education students rank 54th – all in the 92nd percentile or higher. While a few nearby schools like Harrison Elementary, just 2.9 miles away, show dramatically lower proficiency rates, Wallace A. Smith has maintained top-tier performance for a decade, never dropping below the 87th percentile in any recent year. For parents, this school offers both strong academics and a consistent track record of helping students succeed.

589

Students ?

15.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,132

Per pupil spending ?

28.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6930 Lebron Sterchi Drive
Ooltewah, TN 37363

(423) 344-1425

District: Hamilton County Schools

Students who attend Wallace A. Smith Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hunter Middle School
High:	Central High School
	Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper
	Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State
	Sequoyah High School
	More...
	STEM School Chattanooga

Racial breakdown:

White:

67.4%

Hispanic:

11.4%

African American:

10.5%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Wallace A. Smith Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 89th percentile in 2015 → 90th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Tennessee average (68% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 10% of Tennessee elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Hamilton County Schools

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg42%

Tennessee avg43%

98^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Top 10%▼ down 7 pts since 2017

From top 3% (2017) to top 10% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 42Elementary Schools in the Hamilton County Schools

81^st of 141Hamilton 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	89.0	98 of 1019	90.4%	★★★★★
2025	83.7	131 of 1009	87.0%	★★★★☆
2024	86.1	116 of 1018	88.6%	★★★★☆
2023	91.3	84 of 1020	91.8%	★★★★★
2022	88.6	98 of 1000	90.2%	★★★★★
2021	92.0	74 of 983	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	93.5	63 of 985	93.6%	★★★★★
2018	88.0	84 of 997	91.6%	★★★★★
2017	90.3	17 of 646	97.4%	★★★★★
2015	84.5	98 of 855	88.5%	★★★★☆
2014	75.5	143 of 853	83.2%	★★★★☆
2013	77.2	165 of 846	80.5%	★★★★☆
2012	89.9	70 of 820	91.5%	★★★★★
2011	75.8	178 of 818	78.2%	★★★★☆
2010	86.8	92 of 809	88.6%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	94.8	18 of 498	96.4%	★★★★★
2025	80.1	60 of 498	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	85.4	51 of 498	89.8%	★★★★☆
2023	80.3	65 of 500	87.0%	★★★★☆
2022	96.5	8 of 483	98.3%	★★★★★
2021	93.8	10 of 411	97.6%	★★★★★
2019	85.3	39 of 404	90.3%	★★★★★
2018	84.6	38 of 450	91.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	81.1	135 of 986	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	78.2	157 of 990	84.1%	★★★★☆
2023	88.4	98 of 989	90.1%	★★★★★
2022	85.8	105 of 975	89.2%	★★★★☆
2021	85.8	106 of 945	88.8%	★★★★☆
2019	90.5	73 of 926	92.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	98.0	11 of 458	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	97.5	13 of 424	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	78.7	75 of 415	81.9%	★★★★☆
2023	82.5	47 of 387	87.9%	★★★★☆
2022	98.3	6 of 363	98.3%	★★★★★
2021	98.2	6 of 324	98.1%	★★★★★
2018	97.5	7 of 319	97.8%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	86.0	48 of 823	94.2%	★★★★★
2025	67.9	169 of 843	80.0%	★★★★☆
2024	94.1	10 of 853	98.8%	★★★★★
2023	94.0	17 of 865	98.0%	★★★★★
2022	86.2	47 of 858	94.5%	★★★★★
2021	94.9	10 of 823	98.8%	★★★★★
2019	90.9	14 of 821	98.3%	★★★★★
2018	69.6	142 of 877	83.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	81.8	140 of 984	85.8%	★★★★☆
2024	89.5	82 of 991	91.7%	★★★★★
2023	91.3	78 of 987	92.1%	★★★★★
2022	87.5	97 of 980	90.1%	★★★★★
2021	93.4	55 of 941	94.2%	★★★★★
2019	90.9	65 of 916	92.9%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	81.1	54 of 641	91.6%	★★★★★
2025	65.7	124 of 618	79.9%	★★★★☆
2024	80.3	58 of 582	90.0%	★★★★★
2023	88.9	34 of 528	93.6%	★★★★★
2022	83.0	43 of 447	90.4%	★★★★★
2021	67.8	69 of 369	81.3%	★★★★☆
2019	90.5	15 of 255	94.1%	★★★★★
2018	77.6	48 of 395	87.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	83.6	121 of 849	85.7%	★★★★☆
2025	79.3	141 of 840	83.2%	★★★★☆
2024	85.7	103 of 847	87.8%	★★★★☆
2023	91.2	74 of 852	91.3%	★★★★★
2022	85.1	106 of 844	87.4%	★★★★☆
2021	91.4	70 of 844	91.7%	★★★★★
2019	93.2	56 of 812	93.1%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	103 of 841	87.8%	★★★★☆

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)

Hispanic (2026)98th percentile+7 vs school

African American (2026)96th percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)94th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)92nd percentile~ school

Female (2025)86th percentile~ school

Male (2025)86th percentile~ school

White (2026)86th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Science69%+22 vs state

English Language Arts68%+27 vs state

Mathematics67%+24 vs state

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Schools Near Wallace A. Smith 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 Science (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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2020)	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 All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wallace A. Smith Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6930 Lebron Sterchi Drive	Ooltewah	37363	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 344-1425	592	38	15.5	28.1%	387 (65.4%)	60 (10.1%)	75 (12.7%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (10.8%)	89	98^th of 1019 public elementary schools	90.4%		83.7	131^st of 1009 public elementary schools	87.0%	33	54.1	77.5	68.0	66.8	71.8	71.9	61.0	67.9	63.5	77.5	65.0	68.6	$17,132	$774	$15,729
Harrison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8098 Ferdinand Piech Way	Chattanooga	37416	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 344-1428	884	55	15.9		163 (18.4%)	532 (60.2%)	100 (11.3%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	85 (9.6%)	8	957^th of 1019 public elementary schools	6.1%		9.8	944^th of 1009 public elementary schools	6.4%	13	7.5	24.0	19.0	16.8	13.2	25.6	8.5	16.1	17.5	25.0	9.4	17.6	$17,505	$1,198	$15,564
Ooltewah Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8890 Snowy Owl Road	Ooltewah	37363	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 498-6900	851	50	17.0	26.1%	603 (70.9%)	53 (6.2%)	101 (11.9%)	20 (2.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (8.6%)	79.2	160^th of 1019 public elementary schools	84.3%		80	158^th of 1009 public elementary schools	84.3%	2	44.1	70.6	60.7	58.0	53.8	64.4	63.8	60.4	51.0	69.9	70.9	63.3	$16,534	$995	$14,980
Wolftever Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5080 Ooltewah Ringold Road	Ooltewah	37363	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 933-3671	620	44	14.0		270 (43.5%)	100 (16.1%)	165 (26.6%)	12 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (11.8%)	52.4	471^st of 1019 public elementary schools	53.8%		41.2	593^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	41.2%	122	38.4	48.5	43.3	43.3	39.4	50.5	38.5	42.7	50.5	58.8	39.4	49.3	$17,539	$1,015	$15,692
Snow Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9042 Career Lane	Ooltewah	37363	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 344-1456	637	40	15.9	45.7%	510 (80.1%)	42 (6.6%)	29 (4.6%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	53 (8.3%)	54.7	441^st of 1019 public elementary schools	56.7%		50.5	480^th of 1009 public elementary schools	52.4%	39	47.7	46.7	52.1	48.9	53.5	43.3	40.4	45.6	50.0	41.1	42.6	44.4	$17,005	$934	$15,326
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7126 Tyner Road	Chattanooga	37421	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 855-2611	494	35	14.0		55 (11.1%)	233 (47.2%)	163 (33.0%)	11 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (6.5%)	21.1	846^th of 1019 public elementary schools	17.0%		14.3	894^th of 1009 public elementary schools	11.4%	48	25.0	31.8	20.4	25.5	37.0	39.8	29.6	35.3	22.8	26.7	18.4	22.5	$17,058	$965	$15,249
McConnell Elementary School	Public	K-5	8629 Columbus Road	Hixson	37343	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 843-4704	448	27	16.9	34.4%	370 (82.6%)	15 (3.3%)	29 (6.5%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.9%)	74.8	197^th of 1019 public elementary schools	80.7%		87.4	102^nd of 1009 public elementary schools	89.9%	95	48.4	69.8	49.4	54.6	50.0	64.8	60.8	58.4	53.1	68.5	54.4	57.9	$18,097	$905	$16,471
Big Ridge Elementary School	Public	K-5	5210 Cassandra Smith Road	Hixson	37343	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 843-4793	473	35	13.5	25.5%	325 (68.7%)	28 (5.9%)	37 (7.8%)	41 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	38 (8.0%)	77.1	176^th of 1019 public elementary schools	82.7%		74	204^th of 1009 public elementary schools	79.8%	28	35.4	64.6	60.8	53.6	56.4	70.7	55.4	61.1	58.2	69.5	58.1	62.1	$17,305	$1,208	$15,547
East Brainerd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7660 Goodwin Road	Chattanooga	37421	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 855-2600	1,172	79	14.8		328 (28.0%)	394 (33.6%)	239 (20.4%)	96 (8.2%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	112 (9.6%)	36.8	675^th of 1019 public elementary schools	33.8%		37.7	630^th of 1009 public elementary schools	37.6%	45	35.6	38.6	36.6	36.9	34.8	34.5	37.4	35.6	42.1	48.2	29.8	39.8	$16,321	$1,058	$14,674
Middle Valley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1609 Thrasher Pike	Hixson	37343	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 843-4700	739	42	17.6	39.3%	570 (77.1%)	37 (5.0%)	61 (8.3%)	12 (1.6%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.7%)	56.2	419^th of 1019 public elementary schools	58.9%		52.4	459^th of 1009 public elementary schools	54.5%	40	20.4	52.6	72.4	49.7	29.1	48.5	48.3	42.8	26.2	60.3	63.8	51.5	$16,453	$1,064	$14,602

Frequently Asked Questions about Wallace A. Smith Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Wallace A. Smith Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Wallace A. Smith Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hunter Middle School
High : Central High School
High : Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper
High : Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State
High : Sequoyah High School
High : STEM School Chattanooga

What is the racial makeup of Wallace A. Smith Elementary School?

Students at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School are 67% White, 11% Hispanic, 11% African American, 10% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Wallace A. Smith Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 589 students attended Wallace A. Smith Elementary School.

What district is Wallace A. Smith Elementary School in?

Hamilton County Schools

Is Wallace A. Smith Elementary School a good school?

Yes. Wallace A. Smith Elementary School ranks in the top 9.6% of Tennessee elementary schools.

Rate Wallace A. Smith 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.