The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bethel Grove Elementary
Bethel Grove Elementary is a regular public school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the large urban district that covers the city and surrounding county. The school is located in the 38114 zip code, a neighborhood where home values have declined markedly over the past year and remain well below the typical state and national benchmarks. Rents have edged up, and the overall economic context shows a national unemployment rate that has been steady but modestly elevated.
The student body is small for a K-5 school and is overwhelmingly composed of Black students, with a very small share of Hispanic students and even smaller numbers of White, Asian, and multiracial students. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals was not reported, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent would need to ask the school directly about those support populations.
Academically, the state's TNReady assessments for the most recent school year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are each in the low double digits or below. In all three subjects, the share of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level is modest, and in math it is especially low. These results place Bethel Grove Elementary in the bottom quartile on an overall proficiency index when compared to other districts in Shelby County. The school did participate in testing at very high rates, meaning nearly all enrolled students were assessed. An older social studies result from several years ago is not comparable to the current assessment due to changes in the test and scoring standards, so it does not provide a reliable picture of current performance.
Because Bethel Grove serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data was also not available in the information reviewed.
The school is not a charter school, and its magnet status and Title I status were not reported in the data available. No information was provided on course access, staffing ratios, or discipline rates. A parent considering this school would benefit from visiting to understand the classroom environment, support services, and enrichment offerings firsthand, as those details are not captured here.
Memphis itself offers a wide array of cultural and civic amenities. The Mississippi River is a defining feature of the city. Tom Lee Park downtown underwent a major renovation in recent years and now includes ballcourts, 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 sits adjacent to Rhodes College. Beale Street remains a major cultural anchor. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides bus service across the city, with board members appointed by the mayor. Cultural landmarks such as the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music draw visitors from across the region and nation. FedExForum downtown is home to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
On the district level, information about school closures or property tax referenda was sought but not found as part of this review. A parent may want to inquire with Memphis-Shelby County Schools directly about any upcoming facilities or funding changes that could affect Bethel Grove Elementary.
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