The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Social studies. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on David Youree Elementary
David Youree Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Smyrna, a fast-growing suburban town within Rutherford County. The school is a regular public elementary school and part of the Rutherford County Schools district. Its enrollment is sizable for the grade band it covers, and the student body is racially diverse: Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by Black students and White students, with smaller groups of Asian students and students of two or more races. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not reported, so that context is unavailable. Information on special education and English learner populations is also absent from the data.
On state assessments administered through Tennessee's TNReady program, proficiency rates for David Youree Elementary sit well below the state average. A little more than one in five students scored at the proficient level in math, and roughly one in four reached that level in English language arts. Science proficiency was similar. These results place the school's overall performance across tested subjects at the lower end when compared with other school districts in Rutherford County. Social studies data is only available from the 2017-18 school year, and that assessment has since changed, so it does not offer a current comparison. For a family evaluating this school, the low proficiency numbers are the central fact to weigh; a parent may want to ask the school directly about instructional supports, intervention programs, and any recent efforts to raise achievement.
The school has no high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism is missing. Staffing ratios, course access, and discipline information were not available in the provided data.
Smyrna itself is a town that has grown rapidly, driven by the presence of the Nissan assembly plant and other large industrial employers, as well as its location within the expanding Nashville metropolitan area. A substantial share of households in the town have children under eighteen, giving it a family-oriented character. The built environment is overwhelmingly suburban and car-dependent, with residential subdivisions, commercial strips, and manufacturing facilities spread across a wide area. Parks and greenway trails exist, but there is no dense walkable downtown.
Housing in the local market reflects the area's growth pressures. Home values in Smyrna are above the state median, and rents are correspondingly elevated. The affordability picture is tight; a typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home is estimated to be significantly higher than the median rent, pointing to a market where buying is more expensive than renting for many households. Mortgage rates have been hovering around a moderate level nationally, which shapes the overall cost picture for families considering a move.
At the district level, Rutherford County Schools has made several lasting changes. Voters approved a large bond referendum to address rapid enrollment growth, funding new school construction and renovations. A new literacy curriculum aligned with a state reading initiative was implemented across all elementary schools, shifting instruction to a phonics-based approach. The district has also completed a district-wide 1:1 technology initiative, providing a computing device to every student. These investments affect the resources and classroom environment at David Youree Elementary, though the data does not detail how they have translated into specific programs at this school.
In sum, David Youree Elementary is a large elementary school in a growing suburb, serving a diverse student population. Its academic results are low relative to other districts in the county, and families will want to investigate what supports are in place to address that. The surrounding community is family-oriented, industrial, and car-dependent, with housing costs that are high for the region. The district is actively building and upgrading facilities and has made system-wide curriculum and technology changes that shape the experience within its schools, including this one.
See more original research from School Decision →