The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Westhaven Elementary
Westhaven Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade and sits within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. It is a regular public school, not a charter, and it operates in a part of Memphis where the housing market is notably more affordable than much of the city. Home values in the surrounding zip code are well below the national median and have seen a recent decline, while rents have edged upward, placing the area at a more accessible point in the regional market than many other parts of Shelby County.
The student body is large for an elementary school, and the demographic picture is clear. The overwhelming majority of students are Black, and the school serves a community where economic circumstances, based on the housing context, are likely modest. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, as well as counts for students with disabilities and English learners, were not available in the profile. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these breakdowns, as they shape the support services available.
On state assessments, Westhaven's results fall well below the midpoint when compared with other districts across Shelby County. In math, roughly a quarter of students scored at a proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share was slightly higher but still below a third. Science proficiency was lower, and a social studies assessment from an earlier school year, with a different test format, also showed a low rate of proficiency. Participation rates on the tests were very high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students. The proficiency index, which averages these subjects together, places Westhaven in the bottom quartile among the county's districts. This is the central academic fact about the school.
Because Westhaven is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, and course access were not included in the profile. These are gaps a parent may wish to investigate further with the district or school office.
The school has no magnet or charter designation. It operates as a neighborhood elementary school under the district's regular governance structure. Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been through a period of facility planning, including school closure discussions under the Reimagining 901 initiative, and voters in the district have weighed property tax referendums in recent years. These district-level decisions can affect school budgets, building conditions, and attendance boundaries, so a family considering Westhaven should be aware that the broader district context is one of active change.
Memphis itself offers significant civic and cultural resources. Tom Lee Park downtown underwent a major renovation recently, and Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is among the largest urban parks in the country. Overton Park houses the Memphis Zoo and sits near Rhodes College. Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and the Stax Museum are all within the city. Public transit is provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority, with board members appointed by the mayor. The Mississippi River is a constant geographic presence. These amenities are available to families across the city, but how easily a family can access them depends on their specific location and transportation.
For a family weighing Westhaven, the academic picture is the primary consideration. Proficiency rates are low relative to the county, and the school serves a student population that is heavily concentrated by race and, based on housing data, likely by income as well. A parent looking for a school with strong test scores will find other options in Shelby County. A parent who values a neighborhood school within a large district, in a part of Memphis with relatively low housing costs, may want to visit the school, talk to the principal about academic interventions and supports, and assess whether the environment matches their child's needs.
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