The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Northaven Elementary
Northaven Elementary serves a predominantly young student body in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. Though the school’s directory lists a preschool through eighth grade span, the actual enrollment data shows children only in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with no students recorded in grades six through eight. A parent considering this school should be aware that the upper elementary grades are the top of the building, and a transition to a different school would be necessary after fifth grade.
The student population is almost entirely Black, with a very small share of white and Hispanic students and even fewer who identify as two or more races or as American Indian or Alaska Native. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are learning English was not available in the data we used. That gap matters because those figures often help families understand the level of support a school provides, and a parent may want to ask the school directly about these resources.
State testing results cover math, English language arts, and science for grades three through five, the tested grades in the building. In all three subjects, the proportion of students scoring at the proficient level or above was well below the state average. When measured across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile among districts in Shelby County. The data we looked at did not include more current social studies scores; the most recent social studies results were from several years ago and also showed very low proficiency. Participation rates on the tests were high, meaning nearly all enrolled students took the assessments.
Housing in the area around Northaven Elementary is notably affordable compared with national benchmarks, and home values have been declining. Rents are also relatively low and have edged downward slightly. The neighborhood sits within the broader Memphis context, a city with a rich cultural history and major civic landmarks such as the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Beale Street, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The Mississippi River is a defining presence, and large parks such as Tom Lee Park, Shelby Farms, and Overton Park offer recreation. Public bus service is available through MATA.
Because the school does not include high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. No data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access was available in the source material. A parent who wants to understand the school’s safety climate, teacher stability, or enrichment offerings will need to seek that information directly from the school or the district.
Overall, Northaven Elementary serves a community with very limited income and housing resources, and its academic results are substantially lower than those of most other Shelby County elementary schools. The school is a standard public school, not a charter or magnet. Families who value close proximity, a small neighborhood feel, and a pre-K through fifth grade setting may find it a familiar option, but they will want to look closely at the academic support structures in place and how the school addresses the challenges indicated by its state test scores. The district context—Memphis-Shelby County Schools—has in recent years discussed school closures and property tax referendums, but no specifics from those discussions were available in the data we used, so a parent may want to check the district’s current plans for Northaven’s building and feeder pattern.
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