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Below Average

#1518 of 1,786 schools in TN

B. T. Washington High

High School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

715 S Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126

Enrollment

454

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,518 of 1,786

In Memphis

#129 of 199

public schools

In district

#130 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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B. T. Washington High

4.5/10

High School in Memphis · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Larose Elementary

5.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms

5.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About B. T. Washington High

B. T. Washington High is a public high school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

B. T. Washington High serves approximately 454 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio.

B. T. Washington High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,518 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for B. T. Washington High show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • TN avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency6.7% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation1.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,695
Chronic Absenteeism9.3%

B. T. Washington High — Students at B. T. Washington High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 18.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 8.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 24 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2013
Math
77%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
5%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
7%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
3%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
3%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2025
Math
12.5%
ELA
6.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.

How B. T. Washington High Compares

See how B. T. Washington High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
15th percentile in TN
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.4
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
1.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

715 S Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering B. T. Washington High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Medical District High School (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hollis F. Price Middle College (rated 6.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Soulsville Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Larose Elementary Memphis 0.4 mi 5.2
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS Memphis 0.6 mi 5.9
Medical District High School Memphis 0.8 mi 6.6
Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis 0.9 mi 6.4
Downtown Elementary Memphis 1.1 mi 3.4
Soulsville Charter School Memphis 1.1 mi 5.5
Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School Memphis 1.3 mi 7.7
Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis 1.1 mi 4.8
A. B. Hill Elementary Memphis 1.3 mi 4.5
Memphis Delta Preparatory Memphis 1.3 mi 5.9
Bruce Elementary Memphis 1.3 mi 5.8
Circles Of Success Learning Academy Memphis 1.6 mi 3.3
Bellevue Middle Memphis 1.3 mi 3.5
Early Childhood Programs Memphis 1.7 mi 2.8
Central High Memphis 1.5 mi 4.1
1ST CLASS MONTESSORI Memphis 1.6 mi
1ST CLASS MONTESSORI - I Memphis 1.6 mi
Memphis Scholars Florida Kansas Memphis 1.8 mi 5.3
Memphis Scholars Raleigh-Egypt Memphis 1.8 mi 4.8
Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High Memphis 1.8 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$30,825

Median Home Value

$59,000

Median Rent

$794/mo

Population

5,723

College Educated

13.8%

Homeownership

15.6%

Poverty Rate

45.3%

Median Age

28.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School Memphis, TN 4.5
Cornersville School Cornersville, TN 4.4
Trezevant High Memphis, TN 4.4
Cannon County High School Woodbury, TN 4.3
East Hickman High School Lyles, TN 4.7
Hillcrest High School Memphis, TN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about B. T. Washington High

What grades does B. T. Washington High serve?

B. T. Washington High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend B. T. Washington High?

B. T. Washington High has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at B. T. Washington High?

The student-teacher ratio at B. T. Washington High is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does B. T. Washington High rank in TN?

B. T. Washington High ranks #1,518 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is B. T. Washington High's MySchoolScout rating?

B. T. Washington High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at B. T. Washington High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, B. T. Washington High has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is B. T. Washington High a charter school?

No, B. T. Washington High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is B. T. Washington High a Title I school?

No, B. T. Washington High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.3%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Memphis-Shelby County Schools
District Enrollment
110,057
Schools in District
222
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,695
District Rank
#130 of 202

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