The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Social studies. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Norman Smith Elementary
Norman Smith Elementary is a regular public school in Clarksville, Tennessee, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Montgomery County school district, the only district in the county. The school is not a charter or magnet school; no Title I designation was reported, and data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education enrollment, and English learner status were not available. For a parent considering this school, those gaps mean a few pieces of the student-support picture are missing and may be worth a direct inquiry.
On state assessments, Norman Smith Elementary’s recent results reflect a school where most students are not yet reaching the proficiency benchmark. In math and English language arts, roughly one in four students scored at the proficient or above level on the TNReady tests. In science, the share was somewhat higher, approaching two in five. These figures come from the 2024-25 school year and cover grades three through five; the school serves younger grades that are not tested. Because the school is elementary only, there is no graduation rate to report. A parent may want to look into what academic supports and interventions the school provides, especially in the core subjects where proficiency rates are low.
The student body is diverse in racial and ethnic composition. Black and white students each account for a substantial portion of enrollment, with a noticeable Hispanic presence and a smaller but present share of students who identify as two or more races. The school’s roughly five hundred and seventy students fill a full PK-5 grade span; class sizes appear moderate but specific ratios were not provided. The peer environment is therefore one in which a child would encounter a mix of backgrounds, without any single group forming an overwhelming majority.
Clarksville, where the school is located, is a mid-size and rapidly growing city. It is the county seat and home to Austin Peay State University, which sits near downtown. The local economy is heavily shaped by Fort Campbell, a major Army installation a short distance away, and by a broad industrial base that includes manufacturing and large distribution centers. Housing in the area around the school is moderately priced compared to state and national averages, with rents showing a small upward trend. The city’s population has grown significantly in recent years, and new commercial and logistics facilities have opened. That growth context means the school may see enrollment pressure and changing neighborhood composition over time, though the district brief did not identify any recent operational changes or strategic shifts that directly affect Norman Smith.
The school’s setting in Clarksville means families have access to a downtown with some walkable areas near the university and riverfront, but much of the city is suburban and car-dependent, with schools spread across a large geographic footprint. The community is anchored by the university, the military base, and the rivers, and these institutions shape both employment and local culture.
Overall, Norman Smith Elementary presents as a school with a diverse student body and a city backdrop of strong growth and a military-connected economy. Its academic performance on state tests is an area where the outcomes are below the midpoint of what many parents hope to see, and the absence of data on economic disadvantage and special programs leaves some questions about student support unanswered. Families actively weighing this school may want to visit, speak with the principal about instructional strategies and intervention programs, and confirm what resources are available for students who need additional academic help.
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