The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in Social studies. The lowest is 49% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Barfield Elementary
Barfield Elementary sits in Murfreesboro, a city that has been one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing since the 1990s, driven by its proximity to Nashville and the presence of Middle Tennessee State University. The city is the county seat of Rutherford County and its built environment mixes a traditional downtown with expanding residential and commercial corridors. Major employers such as Nissan, Rutherford County government, Amazon, and Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford anchor the local economy. The school itself is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and it is part of Rutherford County Schools, the larger of the two districts in the county.
On the state’s assessments, Barfield Elementary posts results that place it in the top quartile overall relative to districts in Rutherford County. This is a strong showing for a school of its size. In math, a clear majority of students scored at the proficient level or above. In science, the share was similarly solid. In English language arts, roughly half of students met the proficiency benchmark, which is a softer point. A parent may want to ask about literacy supports and how the school addresses that gap. Social studies data is available from an earlier assessment year when a different test was used, so that figure is not directly comparable to current results. Participation rates on the tests were very high, meaning the results reflect nearly all enrolled students in the tested grades.
The student body is diverse in composition, with White students forming the largest group, followed by Black and Hispanic students, and smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and American Indian students. Data on economic disadvantage, special education, and English learner status were not reported in the available records, so a family looking for that information would need to inquire directly with the school.
Murfreesboro’s rapid growth has put pressure on school facilities. In 2022, voters approved a bond referendum to fund new school construction and renovations across the district, directly addressing capacity and overcrowding. Daniel McKee Academy opened a year later, and Rockvale High School was expanded. That means Barfield Elementary may benefit from reduced crowding pressures at the feeder level, though the elementary itself may still feel enrollment growth. The district also shifted to a phonics-based literacy curriculum beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, a change that aligns with Tennessee’s statewide reading initiative and includes new materials and a universal screener for younger grades. By the 2024-25 school year, every student in Rutherford County had a computing device through a district-wide 1:1 initiative, which is now a permanent part of the learning infrastructure.
The housing market in the area reflects the region’s growth. Typical home values are above the national median, and rents are also elevated relative to the broader market. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home, after a standard down payment, is well above the national rent-to-income benchmark, indicating that homeownership requires a higher household income. Rents are also above the national median, though still lower than the monthly mortgage cost, which tilts the local market toward renting for many families. The unemployment rate in the broader economy is modest, and median household incomes have been rising over the past decade.
Barfield Elementary is a large elementary school with above-average academic results in math and science, a solid proficiency index within its county’s small set of districts, and a student body that reflects the area’s growing diversity. The district has been responsive to enrollment pressures with new construction and has invested in literacy and technology infrastructure. For a family moving to Murfreesboro’s southern side, this school offers a proven academic foundation with the caveat that literacy outcomes are an area where further information would be useful. The community context is suburban and expanding, with a university presence and a car-oriented layout, and the housing costs are high but consistent with a fast-growing metro area.
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