The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bellevue Middle
Bellevue Middle sits in Memphis, within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, and serves grades six through eight as a regular public school. It is a mid-sized middle school by enrollment for its grade band. The student body is predominantly Black, with a small share of Hispanic students, a very small number of white students, and a modest proportion of students who identify as two or more races; Asian and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students each make up a tiny fraction of the population. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor were counts for students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of economic and learning support resources on site.
On the state’s TNReady assessments, proficiency rates across subjects were well below the median for districts in Shelby County. In math, about one in seven students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, roughly one in four students did. In science, about one in three students met the proficiency bar, and in social studies, about one in three students did as well. These results place the school’s overall academic performance in the bottom quarter relative to other districts across the county. The testing participation rate was high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students. For a family considering this school, the proficiency numbers are a clear area to explore further with the school—what academic interventions or supports are in place, and whether the school’s trajectory is improving.
The school’s setting is the city of Memphis, a large urban center with a well-documented set of cultural and civic anchors. Tom Lee Park, a downtown riverfront park, underwent a major renovation in 2023, adding ballcourts, walking trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and Overton Park in midtown houses the Memphis Zoo and is adjacent to Rhodes College. Beale Street is a historic cultural anchor. The Memphis Public Libraries system serves the city, and the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) provides public bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. The Mississippi River is a defining geographic feature. FedExForum downtown is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. Major cultural landmarks include the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This is a city with abundant cultural and recreational resources for families.
The district brief for Memphis-Shelby County Schools referenced two topics: school closures and a property tax referendum, but no specific details from those searches were available in the data provided. This means a parent looking into Bellevue Middle should expect that district-level changes—such as boundary adjustments, facility decisions, or budget shifts—may be in play, and the school or district website would be the place to check for current developments.
Housing in the school’s ZIP code has seen a modest year-over-year decline in both home values and rents, and the area is less expensive than state or national benchmarks, making it a relatively affordable part of the Memphis market. For a family, this means the cost of living near the school may be lower than in many other parts of Tennessee or the country.
In short, Bellevue Middle serves a predominantly Black student body in a large, culturally rich city. Its academic performance on state assessments is lower than most other districts in Shelby County, particularly in math and English language arts. The school’s size is typical for a middle school, and the surrounding urban environment offers extensive amenities. A parent will want to investigate academic support programs and any district-level changes that may affect the school’s operations.
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