Very Good
#355 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 20% in state
Donelson Elementary
Elementary School · Arlington
12140 Donelson Farms PKWY, Arlington, TN 38002
Enrollment
852
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
852
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington
#3 of 6
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#262 of 1,002
In district
#2 of 4
Arlington
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Donelson Elementary
Donelson Elementary serves 852 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington, Tennessee, within the Shelby County school system. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking as the #104 elementary school out of 1,796 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile.
Students consistently excel across core subjects, with 81% achieving proficiency or above in both math and science, while 69% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. Donelson Elementary draws from a well-educated and affluent community in the 38002 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $109,364 and home values average $333,300. Nearly half of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.6%.
This supportive community environment, combined with strong academic programs, creates an atmosphere where students can thrive. The school is situated in a rural setting near the town of Arlington, offering students a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to suburban amenities and resources.
What's said publicly about Donelson Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Donelson Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Donelson Elementary — Students at Donelson Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Donelson Elementary Compares
See how Donelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 81.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 79.8% (2025).
Location
12140 Donelson Farms PKWY, Arlington, TN 38002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Donelson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle (rated 9.1/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeland Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Arlington Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington High Arlington | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Arlington Elementary Arlington | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Arlington Middle Arlington | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| MORRIS WILSON CAMPUS SCHOOL Arlington | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| MACON ROAD BAPTIST SCHOOL Arlington | 3.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Lakeland Elementary School Lakeland | 3.9 mi | 7.6 |
| GALLAWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gallaway | 5.5 mi | — |
| Lakeland Preparatory School Lakeland | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Mt. Pisgah Middle/High Cordova | 6.7 mi | 2.7 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bartlett | 6.1 mi | — |
| Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle Arlington | 7.4 mi | 9.1 |
| ARCHON ACADEMY Bartlett | 6.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Macon-Hall Elementary Cordova | 7.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Cordova High School Cordova | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Bolton High Arlington | 7.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HERITAGE BAPTIST ACADEMY Cordova | 8.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Bon Lin Elementary School Bartlett | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Bon Lin Middle School Bartlett | 7.6 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGHLAND DAY SCHOOL Cordova | 9.1 mi | — |
| Chimneyrock Elementary School Cordova | 8.5 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,478
Median Home Value
$363,000
Median Rent
$1,695/mo
Population
43,868
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Donelson Elementary has a median household income of $115,478. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,000, with a median rent of $1,695/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Liberty Elementary Shelbyville, TN | 7.7 |
| Madison Creek Elementary Goodlettsville, TN | 7.7 |
| Mosheim Elementary Mosheim, TN | 7.7 |
| Ridge View Elementary Rockwood, TN | 7.7 |
| Ross Elementary Memphis, TN | 7.7 |
| Shelby Oaks Elementary Memphis, TN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Donelson Elementary
What grades does Donelson Elementary serve?
Donelson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Donelson Elementary?
Donelson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 852 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Donelson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Donelson Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Donelson Elementary rank in TN?
Donelson Elementary is ranked #355 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Donelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Donelson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Donelson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donelson Elementary has 81.1% math proficiency and 68.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Donelson Elementary a charter school?
No, Donelson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Donelson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Donelson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 852
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (901) 389-6973
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington- District Enrollment
- 4,592
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,924
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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