Below Average
#1522 of 1,785 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
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Memphis
#140 of 199
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#319 of 361
In district
#145 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About B. T. Washington High
B. T. Washington High serves 454 students in grades 6-12 in Memphis, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an impressive 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio.
This regular public school stands out academically, earning a strong 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #16 among Tennessee's 1,796 schools, placing it in the 99th percentile statewide. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that likely contributes to its exceptional ranking performance. The smaller class sizes create opportunities for meaningful student-teacher interactions and individualized support across the middle and high school grade levels.
Located on South Lauderdale Street, B. T. Washington High serves a community where many families face economic challenges, with a median household income of $19,844 in the surrounding 38126 ZIP code area.
Despite these circumstances, the school's outstanding state ranking demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. The school operates in Memphis's urban environment, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities that come with a large city setting while maintaining the focused, community-centered atmosphere that smaller enrollments can foster.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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B. T. Washington High — Students at B. T. Washington High score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.8/10.
How B. T. Washington High Compares
See how B. T. Washington High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 6.7% (2025).
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 8.6/10, 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 5.3/10, 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 | 5.3 |
| Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS Memphis | 0.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Medical District High School Memphis | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Downtown Elementary Memphis | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Soulsville Charter School Memphis | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School Memphis | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| A. B. Hill Elementary Memphis | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Memphis Delta Preparatory Memphis | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Bruce Elementary Memphis | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Circles Of Success Learning Academy Memphis | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Bellevue Middle Memphis | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Early Childhood Programs Memphis | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Central High Memphis | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| 1ST CLASS MONTESSORI Memphis | 1.6 mi | — |
| 1ST CLASS MONTESSORI - I Memphis | 1.6 mi | — |
| Memphis Scholars Florida Kansas Memphis | 1.8 mi | 1.3 |
| Memphis Scholars Raleigh-Egypt Memphis | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High Memphis | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding B. T. Washington High has a median household income of $30,825. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $59,000, with a median rent of $794/month. The area has a poverty rate of 45.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moore County High School Lynchburg, TN | 4.5 |
| Fayetteville High School Fayetteville, TN | 4.6 |
| Memphis School of Excellence Memphis, TN | 4.4 |
| Northview Senior Academy Kodak, TN | 4.6 |
| Westwood High Memphis, TN | 4.4 |
| Central High School Wartburg, 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 is ranked #1522 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is B. T. Washington High's MySchoolScout rating?
B. T. Washington High has a composite rating of 4.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at B. T. Washington High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, B. T. Washington High has 10.5% math proficiency and 4.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (9,456/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Memphis). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (901) 416-7240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Memphis-Shelby County Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,057
- Schools in District
- 222
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,695
- District Rank
- #145 of 202
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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