The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Raleigh-bartlett Meadows Elementary
Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows Elementary is a regular public school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, the largest in the state. The school sits in a section of the city that is primarily residential, a mix of older single-family homes and apartment complexes, about a short drive from the Raleigh neighborhood and the Bartlett line. The housing market in the area is moderate by national standards; home values are below the national benchmark, and rents are also relatively affordable, though the cost of renting has seen a slight recent decline. The mortgage rate climate is similar to the national picture, with rates in the mid-single digits.
Academically, the school’s performance on Tennessee’s state assessments is a point of concern for families who prioritize test scores. The most recent data show that the share of students scoring proficient or above in math, English language arts, and science is well below the district median. When compared against other districts in Shelby County, Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows Elementary places in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects. This is a soft spot that a parent considering the school would want to investigate further, perhaps by visiting, talking to teachers, or understanding how the school supports students who are behind. The school did not have a reported graduation rate, which is expected for an elementary school. Data on chronic absenteeism was also not available.
The student body is relatively small for an elementary school serving pre-K through fifth grade. The composition is overwhelmingly Black, with a notably smaller share of Hispanic students and very small numbers of white, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as counts of students with disabilities and English learners, was not reported. That gap means a family cannot assess the school’s economic or special education context from the data alone. The school does not appear to be a charter or magnet school; it is a traditional neighborhood public school.
The school is located in Memphis, a city with a rich set of cultural and civic anchors. The Mississippi River defines the city’s geography. Tom Lee Park, a downtown riverfront park, underwent a major renovation in recent years, adding ballcourts, trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and Overton Park houses the Memphis Zoo and sits adjacent to Rhodes College. Beale Street remains a cultural epicenter. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. Cultural landmarks include the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. FedExForum is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Public Libraries system serves residents across the city.
For families living in the Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows attendance zone, the school offers a familiar setting with a small enrollment and a predominantly African American student body. The academic results are low compared to the county, and state test data show a majority of students are not yet reaching proficiency. The school’s website and its connection to the district’s broader initiatives, including any recent school closures or property tax referendums, were not publicly reported in the available data. A parent would want to ask about the school’s approach to instruction, intervention programs, and how the school communicates with families about progress. The school’s location in Memphis means access to the city’s parks, museums, and transit, but also the challenges of a large urban district. The combination of modest housing costs, a small elementary school with a specific demographic profile, and below-average test scores makes this a school that will fit families who are comfortable with a neighborhood school and want to engage directly with the school community to understand what support is available.
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