The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Math. The lowest is 31% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Austin Peay Elementary School
Austin Peay Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Covington, the county seat of Tipton County. It is a regular public school within Tipton County Schools, situated about an hour’s drive northeast of Memphis. The school is not a charter or magnet school, and its Title I status was not reported.
State testing results from the most recent school year are available for math, English language arts, and science. In math, roughly half of students met the state’s proficiency standard. In ELA, that figure was lower, and in science it was lower still. Social studies data comes from several years ago and is not comparable to current assessments. A parent considering this school may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting benchmarks in reading and math, particularly in the upper elementary grades. Participation rates on the assessments were full, so the results reflect nearly all tested students.
The school enrolls a sizable student body for its grade span, with the largest cohort in pre-kindergarten and roughly balanced numbers across kindergarten through fifth grade. The student population is predominantly White, with a substantial share of Black students and small numbers of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. Data on students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners were not reported as of the most recent school year. This gap may reflect the school’s data reporting practices rather than the actual composition of the student body; a family with specific support needs may want to ask the school directly about these programs.
Because Austin Peay is an elementary school, it does not have a graduation rate, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline were available. The neighborhood comparison tool was unable to place the school’s proficiency relative to other districts in Tipton County because the county currently has only one district, making a meaningful local benchmark impossible.
Covington is a small town that functions as the commercial and civic center of Tipton County. Its historic downtown square, with a century-old courthouse, shops, and dining, is a focal point for community events. The Tipton County Museum and nature center, with a walking trail and sportsplex, sits near downtown. Daily life is largely auto-oriented, as US Route 51 runs through the city. Housing values in the area are below the national median, and home prices have risen modestly in recent years. The city’s population declined slightly in the most recent census, and growth appears stable rather than rapid. The local economy includes a major hospital, manufacturing, and professional services, with the Memphis metro area providing additional employment options within commuting distance.
We looked for recent district-level changes such as budget decisions, referendums, or school construction plans, but found little publicly reported information. Families moving into the area should verify current school board priorities and projects with the district office, as the absence of search results does not mean nothing is happening.
For a parent, Austin Peay Elementary represents a typical elementary pathway in a small-town Tennessee school system. Academic performance is mixed, with math closer to the halfway mark and reading and science lagging behind. The school’s size and demographics are characteristic of the community it serves. A family moving to Covington would likely want to visit the school, talk to teachers about how they address students who need extra help in reading and math, and ask about the range of early childhood and enrichment programs available in a school that starts with pre-kindergarten. The town itself offers a quiet, walkable downtown core and access to Memphis when desired, but daily life requires a car. Housing is relatively affordable compared to national averages, which may appeal to families seeking lower-cost homeownership.
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