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Needs Improvement

#1651 of 1,785 schools in TN

Dexter School

Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

7105 Dexter RD, Cordova, TN 38016

Enrollment

1,490

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cordova

#9 of 10

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#930 of 1,002

In district

#175 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

About Dexter School

Dexter School serves 1,490 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Cordova, Tennessee. This large elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6 to 1 with 90 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. As a regular public school in Shelby County, Dexter School currently ranks #1286 out of 1796 Tennessee schools, placing it in the 28th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10, indicating the school has room for academic growth.

The school draws families from a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $72,749 and home values average $232,200. With 43% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 9.3%, the surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, educated population of nearly 46,400 residents. This demographic foundation suggests strong community investment in education and family resources that can support student learning.

Dexter School's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger elementary schools in the area, offering the potential for diverse programming and resources while maintaining reasonable class sizes. The school operates within Cordova's large suburban setting, providing students with a community-focused educational environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.5%
Math vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

Dexter School — Students at Dexter School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 22.8%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 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
35%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
15.4%
ELA
25.5%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Dexter School Compares

See how Dexter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in TN
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Location

7105 Dexter RD, Cordova, TN 38016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dexter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Cordova (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Memphis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BORNBLUM JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Memphis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cordova, see our Cordova schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
EVANGELICAL CHRISTAIN SCHOOL Cordova 1.4 mi 5.7
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Memphis 1.7 mi 7.9
OLIVIA'S MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Memphis 2.4 mi
Shelby Oaks Elementary Memphis 2.1 mi 7.7
SHADY OAKS SCHOOL Cordova 2.1 mi
CADANCE ACADEMY PRESCHOOL Cordova 2.2 mi
Kate Bond Middle School Memphis 2.5 mi 3.8
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cordova 2.3 mi 7.4
Kate Bond Elementary School Bartlett 2.5 mi 4.7
Elmore Park Middle School Bartlett 2.6 mi 6.3
Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Cordova Cordova 2.4 mi 8.3
Memphis School of Excellence Cordova Cordova 2.5 mi 6.4
LAMPLIGHTER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cordova 2.8 mi 7.4
Riverwood Elementary School Cordova 2.8 mi 5.1
Chimneyrock Elementary School Cordova 2.9 mi 6.9
Altruria Elementary Bartlett 3.4 mi 5.8
BORNBLUM JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Memphis 3.4 mi 7.9
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL Memphis 3.2 mi 5.5
PLEASANT VIEW SCHOOL Memphis 3.0 mi 9.2
Oak Elementary Bartlett 3.9 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,719

Median Home Value

$261,700

Median Rent

$1,407/mo

Population

44,390

College Educated

41.5%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dexter School has a median household income of $75,719. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,700, with a median rent of $1,407/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Scales Elementary School Murfreesboro, TN 3.9
West Creek Elementary Clarksville, TN 3.9
Macon-Hall Elementary Cordova, TN 4.0
Rossview Elementary Clarksville, TN 3.8
Tennessee Virtual Academy Knoxville, TN 3.8
Station Camp Elementary Gallatin, TN 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dexter School

What grades does Dexter School serve?

Dexter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dexter School?

Dexter School has an enrollment of approximately 1,490 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dexter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dexter School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dexter School rank in TN?

Dexter School is ranked #1651 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Dexter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dexter School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Dexter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dexter School has 20.5% math proficiency and 22.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dexter School a charter school?

No, Dexter School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dexter School a Title I school?

No, Dexter School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (358/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,490
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
90
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Shelby County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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