The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lucie E. Campbell Elementary
Lucie E. Campbell Elementary is a regular public school in Memphis, within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is not a charter school. The school is located in the 38127 ZIP code of northern Memphis, an area where housing values and rents have both seen a modest decline in the past year. The economic context shows a typical national mortgage rate and a standard unemployment rate.
The student body is overwhelmingly Black, with a very small share of white students, a slightly larger share of Hispanic students, and very small numbers from Asian and multiracial backgrounds. Enrollment across grades is relatively even from kindergarten through fifth grade, with a smaller pre-kindergarten group. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the share of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the share of English learners was not available in the source data. Parents may want to ask the school directly about these support categories.
On the state’s TNReady assessments, which Tennessee administers to students in grades three through eight, the school’s proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science are reported in the low single-digit to mid-teen percent range. Compared to other schools within districts in Shelby County, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This is a clear soft spot in the school’s academic picture. A parent considering this school would want to look into what instructional supports and interventions are in place in the classroom.
The school’s most recent social studies data comes from a school year several years ago, before the state changed both the assessment name and the cut scores for that subject, so that result carries less weight.
Because Campbell Elementary serves only through fifth grade, it does not have a graduation rate to report.
The school belongs to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, the largest in Tennessee. The district has been publicly planning for a "Reimagining 901" initiative, which has included discussions of school closures and consolidations to address enrollment and budget pressures. A recent referendum on a property tax increase was also part of the local public conversation. Any parent enrolled in this district should be aware that the district’s portfolio of schools is under active review, which could affect attendance zones or school operations in the coming years.
The surrounding community of Memphis offers a wide set of cultural and civic anchors. The Memphis Zoo in Overton Park, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music are well-known institutions. FedExForum is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River underwent a major renovation in recent years that added ballcourts, trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides public bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. The public library system serves residents across the city.
For the family looking at Lucie E. Campbell Elementary, the main considerations are the school’s low academic proficiency and what that means for daily instruction. The school’s enrollment is sizable for an elementary school, and the student population is strongly homogeneous by race. The housing context in the immediate ZIP code is notably more affordable than the state and national benchmarks, which may be a factor in family decisions about the area. The district-level uncertainty around school facilities adds another layer for a family to weigh.
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