Average
#1373 of 1,785 schools in TN
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School
Elementary School · Hamilton County
7126 Tyner RD, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chattanooga
#23 of 47
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#791 of 1,002
In district
#51 of 80
Hamilton County
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Bess T Shepherd Elementary School
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is an elementary school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 494 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Bess T Shepherd focuses on providing a nurturing environment for young learners, though current academic performance suggests there is room for growth.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10 and it ranks at the 26th percentile among Tennessee schools with an academic score of 2.8/10. In standardized tests, 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 22% in Math, and 20% in Science. Despite these challenges, Bess T Shepherd Elementary School continues to support the educational development of its community's youngest learners.
The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within Hamilton County, offering students access to urban resources while maintaining a strong focus on foundational skills and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School — Students at Bess T Shepherd Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 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: 4.5/10.
How Bess T Shepherd Elementary School Compares
See how Bess T Shepherd Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 19.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 25.1% (2025).
Location
7126 Tyner RD, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bess T Shepherd Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ANNOOR ACADEMY OF CHATTANOOGA (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HICKORY VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STANDIFER GAP SDA SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chattanooga, see our Chattanooga schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tyner Academy Chattanooga | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Tyner Middle Academy Chattanooga | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| SILVERDALE BAPTIST ACADEMY Chattanooga | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| ANNOOR ACADEMY OF CHATTANOOGA Chattanooga | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Hamilton County Virtual School Chattanooga | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| HICKORY VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chattanooga | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| East Brainerd Elementary School Chattanooga | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
| PARKRIDGE VALLEY ACADEMY Chattanooga | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Chattanooga School For The Liberal Arts Chattanooga | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| STANDIFER GAP SDA SCHOOL Chattanooga | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Harrison Elementary School Chattanooga | 3.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Brown Middle School Harrison | 3.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Central High School Harrison | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| BEACON ACADEMY Ooltewah | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| BEACON ACADEMY Ooltewah | 4.1 mi | — |
| BOYD BUCHANAN SCHOOL Chattanooga | 4.0 mi | 5.1 |
| East Hamilton High School Ooltewah | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Westview Elementary School Chattanooga | 4.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Dalewood Middle School Chattanooga | 4.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Brainerd High School Chattanooga | 4.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,958
Median Home Value
$299,600
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
Population
52,516
College Educated
37.9%
Homeownership
60.6%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has a median household income of $79,958. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,600, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cromwell Elementary Memphis, TN | 5.0 |
| David Crockett Elementary Lawrenceburg, TN | 5.0 |
| Hixson Elementary School Hixson, TN | 5.0 |
| John Colemon Elementary Smyrna, TN | 5.0 |
| Pond Gap Elementary Knoxville, TN | 5.0 |
| Riverview Elementary/Middle Memphis, TN | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bess T Shepherd Elementary School
What grades does Bess T Shepherd Elementary School serve?
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bess T Shepherd Elementary School?
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bess T Shepherd Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bess T Shepherd Elementary School rank in TN?
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is ranked #1373 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Bess T Shepherd Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Bess T Shepherd Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has 21.6% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bess T Shepherd Elementary School a charter school?
No, Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bess T Shepherd Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,779/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chattanooga). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 494
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hamilton County
- Phone
- (423) 855-2611
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hamilton County- District Enrollment
- 45,790
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,785
- District Rank
- #51 of 80
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.