- Carthage Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 465 students
- Defeated Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 288 students
- Forks River Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 208 students
- Gordonsville Elementary School — Grades 3–6 · 311 students
- New Middleton Elementary — Grades PK–2 · 210 students
- Smith County High School — Grades 9–12 · 476 students
- Union Heights Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 268 students
- Smith County Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 289 students
- Gordonsville High School — Grades 7–12 · 541 students
- Chilhowee Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 293 students
- Elmwood County High School — Grades 9–12 · 400 students
- Copper Basin Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 321 students
- Copper Basin High School — Grades 7–12 · 231 students
- Elmwood Innovative Learning Academy — Grades K–12 · 147 students
| Metric | Smith County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 3,061 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 9 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith County School District (this district) | 6/10 | 59th | 3,061 |
| Polk County School District | 2/10 | 18th | 2,148 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 144 rated districts in TN → 59th percentile → 6/10.
Source: Tennessee Dept. of Education TCAP, Overall ELA & Overall Math, Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2025–26 school year. Full methodology →
About Smith County School District
Smith County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 38560 in Elmwood, Tennessee. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 38560. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Tennessee spend approximately $10,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Smith County School District is a mid-sized district with 9 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 3,061 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Smith County School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Tennessee public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Tennessee’s TCAP assessments (2025–26 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Tennessee is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Smith County School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Tennessee. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 38560
Children in zip code 38560 are assigned to Smith County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 38560, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Smith County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Tennessee districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Elmwood
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Smith County School District serves zip code 38560, homes in and around zip code 38560 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Tennessee, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Smith County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 38560.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Smith County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 38560 data.