The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Science. The lowest is 24% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Parkway Village Elementary
Parkway Village Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Memphis, as part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the large district covering the city and surrounding Shelby County. The school is a regular public elementary school, not a charter or magnet, and sits in a part of the city where housing is more affordable than many other Memphis neighborhoods. The zip code’s home values and rents both sit well below the statewide benchmark, making this one of the more accessible areas for families buying or renting. The national economic context shows mortgage rates and rents rising modestly, but locally the market has seen a small year-over-year dip in home values, which may offer some buyers a window.
The student body is large for an elementary school, with enrollment pushing toward a number that fills a full-sized building. The composition is overwhelmingly Hispanic and Black, with a very small share of white students and almost no representation from other racial groups. Data on economic disadvantage, such as the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, was not reported, so it is hard to say how many families face financial strain. Similarly, the school did not report counts for students with disabilities or English learners. A parent who wants a clear picture of those supports should ask the school directly.
Academically, the school’s performance on the state’s TNReady assessments is on the lower end. Across math, English language arts, and science, the share of students scoring proficient or above is well below what many families would hope for. When compared to other districts across Shelby County, Parkway Village Elementary’s overall proficiency index falls into the bottom quartile. The county includes a range of districts that vary widely in performance, and this school sits near the lower boundary. At the same time, testing participation was complete, meaning nearly every enrolled student took the tests, which gives a full picture of where the school stands. For a parent weighing this school, the academic results are a straightforward concern—especially if a strong record of grade-level proficiency is a top priority.
The broader Memphis setting offers many cultural and recreational resources that families can access regardless of which school their child attends. Publicly reported amenities include the large Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis, the downtown Tom Lee Park which underwent a major renovation a few years ago, and Overton Park near the zoo and Rhodes College. Beale Street remains a cultural anchor, and the city has multiple notable museums such as the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. These are assets available to city residents but not specific to the school’s immediate neighborhood.
We looked for information about district-level changes that might affect Parkway Village Elementary, such as the Reimagining 901 plan and a recent property tax referendum. However, publicly available details were thin enough that we could not provide a reliable account of what those initiatives mean for this school. A parent may want to follow up with the district to learn about any upcoming boundary adjustments, closure proposals, or funding changes. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to examine, and chronic absenteeism data was not reported.
In sum, Parkway Village Elementary is a large, diverse elementary school with an affordable surrounding housing market and a full set of tested participation. Its academic proficiency is low relative to other schools in the county, and the missing data on economic status and special populations leaves some questions open. The school fits a family that values a central Memphis location with lower housing costs and is comfortable engaging directly with the school on student supports and academic progress.
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