Dekalb County School District

110 South Public Square
Smithville, TN 37166-1728
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 2,149 students in Dekalb County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Tennessee.
Public Elementary Schools in Dekalb County School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 36% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Tennessee public elementary school average of 43% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
6 Schools
1,500 Schools
# Students
2,933 Students
719,413 Students
# Teachers
213 Teachers
48,388 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Dekalb County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (TN)
#101 out of 147 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
25%
34%
32%
37%
26%
40%
87%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.36
0.61
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
16%
15%
% Black
2%
21%
% White
79%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,253 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,979. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,886 is less than the state median of $11,478. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
This School District
This State (TN)
Total Revenue
$30 MM
$12,104 MM
Spending
$29 MM
$11,597 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,253
$11,979
Spending / Student
$9,886
$11,478

Best Dekalb County School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dekalb West Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
101 Bulldog Ln
Dowelltown, TN 37059
(615) 536-5332
Gr: PK-8 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 North Congress Blvd
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-1575
Gr: 2-5 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1132 West Broad St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-7987
Gr: 6-8 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
221 E Bryant St
Smithville, TN 37166
(615) 597-4415
Gr: PK-2 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,933 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 22%
  • : 87% (Top 50% in TN)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • : 32% (Btm 50%)
  • : 26% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education

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