The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in Math. The lowest is 10% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on William Herbert Brewster Elementary School
William Herbert Brewster Elementary School is a regular public school in Memphis that serves children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. The school enrolls a student body that is, by composition, largely Black with a substantial Hispanic presence, and smaller shares of students who are white or identify with two or more races. Enrollment is in the range of a modest-sized elementary school for this grade band. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are identified as English learners was not available in the records reviewed. A parent considering Brewster may want to ask the school directly about these support programs and the share of students they serve.
State testing results from the most recent year on record show that on the Tennessee TNReady assessments, proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science all fall below a third of tested students. When compared with other schools in the Shelby County district landscape, the school’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quarter relative to districts in the county. The comparison set used here is districts within Shelby County; the school’s performance is below the midpoint of that group. These numbers represent a single year’s snapshot and do not yet show a clear trend because multi-year data was not available. Because Brewster does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school is located in Memphis, a large city with a variety of recreational and cultural anchors. Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River underwent a major renovation in recent years, adding ball courts, trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the country’s largest urban parks. Overton Park houses the Memphis Zoo and sits near Rhodes College. Beale Street remains a central civic and cultural corridor. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides public bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. Cultural landmarks in the city include the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The FedExForum downtown hosts the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.
Housing market data for the area shows that home values in the school’s zip code are notably below state and national benchmarks and have declined year over year. Rents in the same area have increased over the same period. For a family looking at this part of Memphis, the housing market is more affordable than many other parts of the state, but price trends suggest a mixed picture. The broader economic context shows a national unemployment rate that has remained steady and a median household income that has risen slightly in recent years. None of this data speaks directly to the school’s academic programs, but it gives a sense of the community’s economic circumstances.
Additional information that could paint a fuller picture was not present in the available records. There are no reported data on chronic absenteeism, discipline incidents, staffing ratios, or course access. The district’s recent developments, such as school closures or a property tax referendum, were searched for but specific details were not found. A parent researching Brewster may want to follow up with the school or district for insight into teacher experience, class sizes, after-school offerings, and how the school supports students who are behind grade level. The school’s academic results suggest that families should ask how the school is working to raise proficiency, especially in math and reading, and what enrichment or intervention programs are in place.
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