The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Eakin Elementary
Eakin Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Shelbyville, Tennessee, part of the Bedford County school district. It is a large elementary school with an enrollment that reflects a diverse student body. The largest groups of students are Hispanic and white, followed by Black students and students who identify as two or more races; Asian and Native American populations are very small. The school population is distributed fairly evenly across the early elementary grades, with a notably large pre-kindergarten class. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, and information on special education and English learner enrollment was also missing. Because this is a pre-K through fifth-grade school, there is no graduation rate to report.
On state assessments, Eakin Elementary’s proficiency rates are below the statewide average across the tested subjects. In English language arts, about three in ten students scored at the proficient level or above. In math, the share was lower, at roughly two in ten. In science, a little more than a quarter of students met the proficiency standard. These results place the school substantially below the typical performance for Tennessee elementary schools. A single older data point for social studies, from a testing year before the assessment was significantly revised, indicated very low proficiency; that result is not comparable with current expectations. Participation rates on the state tests were high, so the results do reflect nearly all enrolled students.
The broader community context matters for understanding the school. Shelbyville is a mid-sized city with a manufacturing and agricultural economic base and a history tied to pencil manufacturing and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Major employers include automotive parts, plastics, poultry processing, and distribution. The city is growing at a notable rate, with a population that has increased substantially over the past several years and continues to rise at a modest annual pace. The 2022 comprehensive plan identifies residential growth pressure and a need for more housing types, including multifamily and affordable options. The demographic profile of the city is shifting, with a significant Hispanic population, which is reflected in the school’s enrollment. Housing in the local market is valued slightly below the national median home price, and rents are moderate relative to incomes, though affordability comparisons depend on which area standard is used.
The school sits on its own campus, as do other Bedford County schools, separate from the downtown core. The city itself is car-dependent, with a traditional square but limited public transit and a development pattern that blends a gridded downtown with auto-oriented commercial strips and residential subdivisions. For a family considering Eakin Elementary, the academic proficiency data would be the central point to investigate. The school’s performance on the TNReady assessments is lower than what is typical across the state, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what instructional supports and interventions are in place. Because the school is large by elementary standards, class size and the availability of individualized attention could also be topics to explore. The surrounding community offers a range of employment in manufacturing and agriculture, and the city is experiencing population growth, which may mean some pressure on school facilities over time. The Bedford County district operates the school, so district-level priorities and resource allocation decisions shape what happens at Eakin. There were no program offerings listed in the available data, so details on special programs, enrichment, or after-school activities were not available to include.
See more original research from School Decision →