Average
#842 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 47% in state
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School
Elementary School · Hamilton County · Chattanooga, TN
A Hamilton County elementary school where students score 18 points below what's typical for similar communities.
7126 Tyner RD, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- Math 20% vs TN 39% (2025)
- Reading 25% vs TN 41% (2025)
- 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Bess T Shepherd Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
2025 TCAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. TN average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 7 points since 2020, reaching 23% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 27% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 22% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Bess T Shepherd Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 6Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 24Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,779/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Chattanooga), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$79,958
Median home value
$299,600
Median rent
$1,313/mo
College educated
37.9%
Homeownership
60.6%
Poverty rate
8.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 37421; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverdale Baptist AcademyPrivate · tuition | 5.9private | PK–12 | 0.5 mi | 1,107 | Compare → |
| Annoor Academy of ChattanoogaPrivate · tuition | 7.4private | PK–8 | 0.7 mi | 58 | Compare → |
| Hamilton County Virtual SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | K–12 | 1.1 mi | 313 | Compare → |
| Hickory Valley Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.9private | PK–5 | 1.5 mi | 68 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Hamilton County
- Schools in district
- 81
- Rank in district
- #48 of 80
- District spending per student
- $14,785NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 19.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is listed in Hamilton County; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Bess T Shepherd Elementary School
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School is a public elementary school in Chattanooga, TN, part of Hamilton County, serving approximately 494 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #842 of 1,786 schools in TN. State assessment records show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #842 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Bess T Shepherd Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Bess T Shepherd Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bess T Shepherd Elementary School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 494
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hamilton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.9%
- Phone
- (423) 855-2611
- Area population (ZIP 37421)
- 52,516
- Area average commute
- 19.9 min
- Area median age
- 41.1
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 TCAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 TCAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 37421; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related 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.