The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Shrine School
Shrine School is a special education school in Memphis that serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. It operates under Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The school’s designation as a special education school means its programming is built around students with disabilities, and it draws students from across the district’s area.
Enrollment is small. The student body is predominantly Black, with a meaningful Hispanic share and smaller populations of White and Asian students. The school did not report data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, nor counts of students with Individualized Education Programs or English learners, so a fuller picture of its economic and support needs is not available from the data provided.
The state testing results that are on record cover third and sixth grades in math, English language arts, and science. For each of those subjects and grades, the reported proficiency rate is zero. No other grade levels appear in the testing data, and no multi-year trends are available to show change over time. This is a school whose mission centers on serving students with disabilities, and typical state assessments may not capture the full range of student progress, but the results themselves are as reported. When placed among the school districts of Shelby County for comparison, the school’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile. Graduation rate and chronic absenteeism data were not applicable or missing from the available records.
Information on course access, staffing, discipline, and attendance was not provided. The school’s programs, such as any career or dual-credit offerings, were not listed.
The school is located in Memphis, a city with a set of publicly reported amenities and institutions. Tom Lee Park, a downtown riverfront park, underwent a major renovation in 2023 that added ballcourts, walking trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is among the largest urban parks in the country. Overton Park in midtown is home to the Memphis Zoo and sits adjacent to Rhodes College. Beale Street remains a cultural hub. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides bus service, and board members are appointed by the mayor. Cultural anchors include the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. FedExForum hosts the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. The Mississippi River is a defining feature.
Housing in the school’s zip code area shows moderate home values relative to both state and national medians, with rents at a similar level. The national unemployment rate and mortgage rate context are noted, but local housing affordability data is not available for the city specifically.
We looked for publicly reported information about recent school closures under Memphis-Shelby County Schools or the outcome of a property tax referendum, but found little detail in available search results. Those lines of inquiry remain open for a parent or resident who wants to understand the district’s financial and operational direction.
Shrine School offers a distinct setting: a small, PK through 12 special education school within a large urban district. The very low proficiency rates on state tests are a notable feature, but they come with the context of the school’s purpose. A parent considering this school would want to speak directly with staff about how academic progress is measured, what alternate assessments are used, and what the school’s programs look like day to day, since that kind of detail is not captured in the available data. The school’s size and focus may appeal to families seeking a supportive, specialized environment for a child with disabilities.
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