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Below Average

#1542 of 1,785 schools in TN

Carter-lawrence Elementary

Elementary School · Davidson County

1118 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nashville

#105 of 118

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#876 of 1,002

In district

#135 of 154

Davidson County

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Carter-lawrence Elementary

Carter-Lawrence Elementary serves 199 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Nashville's Davidson County. This regular public school maintains an impressive 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with considerable individual attention in their learning environment. The school has earned recognition for its strong performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #160 out of 1,796 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among Tennessee elementary schools.

This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Carter-Lawrence Elementary draws from a diverse community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, contributing to a culture that values education. The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with median household incomes of $63,834 and a poverty rate of 23.6%, creating an environment where students from various socioeconomic backgrounds learn together.

Located at 1118 12th Avenue South in Nashville's urban landscape, Carter-Lawrence Elementary sits within a dynamic city setting where median home values reach $441,700, reflecting the area's growth and development as part of Tennessee's thriving capital city.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 199 students, Carter-lawrence Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.3%
Math vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,421

Carter-lawrence Elementary — Students at Carter-lawrence Elementary score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.8%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 30.1%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
20.4%
ELA
26.3%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Carter-lawrence Elementary Compares

See how Carter-lawrence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in TN
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Location

1118 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carter-lawrence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waverly-Belmont Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eakin Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST BERNARD ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nashville, see our Nashville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Rose Park Middle Nashville 0.3 mi 6.4
HERMITAGE HALL Nashville 0.5 mi 6.1
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE Nashville 0.7 mi 7.0
Hume - Fogg High Nashville 1.1 mi 8.6
Waverly-Belmont Elementary School Nashville 1.2 mi 9.2
TEMPLETON ACADEMY Nashville 1.1 mi 8.0
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE - MIDTOWN Nashville 1.3 mi
Harris-Hillman Special Education Nashville 1.3 mi 7.5
Johnson Alternative Learning Center Nashville 1.2 mi 7.5
ST BERNARD ACADEMY Nashville 1.3 mi 7.4
LEAD Cameron Nashville 1.3 mi 5.7
Lead Academy Nashville 1.3 mi 7.1
Fall-Hamilton Elementary Nashville 1.3 mi 7.2
Eakin Elementary Nashville 1.3 mi 8.2
Martin Luther King Jr School Nashville 1.5 mi 8.0
GROW ACADEMY Nashville 1.6 mi
Head Middle Nashville 1.5 mi 7.3
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Nashville 1.8 mi 6.0
Napier Elementary Nashville 1.8 mi 5.7
CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF NASHVILLE Nashville 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,671

Median Home Value

$519,600

Median Rent

$1,881/mo

Population

20,234

College Educated

67.4%

Homeownership

19.3%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

30.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carter-lawrence Elementary has a median household income of $69,671. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $519,600, with a median rent of $1,881/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain, TN 4.5
Graysville Elementary School Dayton, TN 4.5
Sharps Chapel Elementary Sharps Chapel, TN 4.5
South Central Elementary Chuckey, TN 4.5
Gardenview Elementary Memphis, TN 4.7
Beacon College Preparatory Memphis, TN 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carter-lawrence Elementary

What grades does Carter-lawrence Elementary serve?

Carter-lawrence Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Carter-lawrence Elementary?

Carter-lawrence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter-lawrence Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Carter-lawrence Elementary is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carter-lawrence Elementary rank in TN?

Carter-lawrence Elementary is ranked #1542 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Carter-lawrence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter-lawrence Elementary 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 Carter-lawrence Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter-lawrence Elementary has 24.8% math proficiency and 30.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carter-lawrence Elementary a charter school?

No, Carter-lawrence Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carter-lawrence Elementary a Title I school?

No, Carter-lawrence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Davidson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davidson County
District Enrollment
80,468
Schools in District
162
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,808
District Rank
#135 of 154

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 methodology

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