The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Oak Forest Elementary
Oak Forest Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in Memphis, part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. The school is located near the Nonconnah Creek area in the eastern part of the city. It is not a charter or magnet school; the data does not indicate a Title I designation.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and a very small number of white, Asian, and multiracial students. Enrollment figures show a class size that tapers somewhat in the upper elementary grades compared to the primary grades. Information on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, how many receive special education services, and how many are English learners is not reported in the available data.
Academic performance on Tennessee’s state assessments from the most recent school year shows that Oak Forest Elementary as a whole scores below the midpoint when compared to other schools within Shelby County. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above is moderate but lower than typical for the county. In English language arts, the result is similar. In science, the picture is a bit stronger, with a share of students reaching proficiency that is above the math and ELA results but still below the county median. Social studies data is from a much earlier school year and involved a change in both the assessment and the cut scores, making it unreliable for current judgment.
Because Oak Forest Elementary only goes through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data is not available. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects, places it below the midpoint relative to districts in Shelby County. Parents looking at this school should expect that a considerable number of students are not yet meeting state proficiency benchmarks, and they may want to follow up with the school about how it supports students who are below grade level.
The surrounding community context is the city of Memphis, a large city with a distinctive set of cultural and civic landmarks. The Mississippi River, Tom Lee Park, Shelby Farms Park, and Overton Park are part of the city’s public spaces. Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum are well-known destinations. Public transit is provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority. Housing values in the school’s zip code are near the state average, and rents have shown a modest increase over the past year. Mortgage rates at the time of this data were typical for the national market.
For the district itself, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, we looked for publicly reported information about school closures under the Reimagining 901 plan and about a recent property tax referendum, but found little that was directly tied to Oak Forest Elementary. A parent may wish to ask the district directly about any upcoming boundary or facility changes that could affect this school.
Oak Forest Elementary offers a standard elementary program in a setting that serves mostly Black students in a mid-sized enrollment for its grade band. The academic results are below average for the county, and key support data such as poverty level and special education rates are not available in the public record. This school may be a fit for families who prioritize a neighborhood school with a consistent student population and who want to understand directly from the school how it addresses academic gaps, but families who are comparing options may want to look into additional details about instruction and student support before making a decision.
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