The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 33% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Delano Elementary
Delano 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 district covering both the city and the broader county. The school is located on Delano Avenue in the 38127 zip code, a part of north Memphis.
The student body is substantial for an elementary school, with enrollment spread across every grade from PK through fifth. The school community is overwhelmingly composed of Black students, with a small number of Hispanic students and very few students of other races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals was not available, which is notable given that economic context is often a key part of understanding a school's resources and challenges. Similarly, data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported.
On the Tennessee state assessments, Delano Elementary’s results present a mixed picture. Proficiency in math and in English language arts each stand at a level that, for a parent, would be a point of real attention. In science, the rate is lower still. A parent considering the school will want to weigh these academic results carefully against their expectations and to ask the school directly about its instructional strategies and how it supports students who are not yet meeting the state's proficiency benchmarks. The social studies assessment data shown is from an older school year and may not reflect current performance, as the test has since undergone changes.
When compared to other school districts in Shelby County, Delano Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls below the midpoint of the cohort. This context is limited to the county’s districts and does not compare this school directly to every elementary school in the area, but it does place the school’s performance in a local frame.
Delano is a traditional, non-charter public school. Information on whether it receives Title I funding was not provided. No data on discipline, staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, or course access was available, so a fuller picture of the school environment and day-to-day operations requires a conversation with the school itself.
The school sits within the city of Memphis, a major urban center defined by the Mississippi River. The city offers a wide range of cultural institutions, including the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Tom Lee Park, a downtown riverfront park, completed a major renovation in 2023. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and Overton Park houses the Memphis Zoo. Public transit is provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is a large, urban district that has been navigating significant changes. In recent years, the district has pursued a plan called Reimagining 901, which has involved school closures and consolidations as the district adjusts to enrollment shifts. The district also put forward a property tax referendum in 2023 and 2024 to secure additional funding, which was a notable local political issue. These district-level dynamics may affect Delano Elementary directly, particularly around attendance zone boundaries or resource allocation, so parents should follow current district news closely.
Housing in this part of Memphis is more affordable than the city and state averages. Rents are moderate, and home values have recently seen a measurable decline. For a family considering a move to the zone, the housing market offers entry at a lower price point than many other parts of the Memphis area, though this should be weighed against the school’s academic performance data.
For a parent trying to understand if Delano Elementary fits, the core picture is of a school with a diverse-by-race but demographically concentrated student body, located in a large urban district undergoing structural change, and showing academic proficiency rates that call for direct follow-up. The lack of data on special populations and discipline leaves open questions that only the school can answer. A parent should visit, ask about the school’s approach to raising student achievement in the tested subjects, and inquire about supports for students who are below grade level. The school may offer a solid fit for a family that values a neighborhood school setting in an affordable part of Memphis and is prepared to be actively engaged in their child’s academic progress.
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