Needs Improvement
#1653 of 1,785 schools in TN
Downtown Elementary
Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
10 N 4th St, Memphis, TN 38103
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Memphis
#168 of 199
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#931 of 1,002
In district
#177 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
About Downtown Elementary
Downtown Elementary serves 762 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the heart of Memphis. The school operates as a regular public elementary institution with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1. Academically, Downtown Elementary is working to strengthen student achievement.
Currently, proficiency rates across core subjects reflect room for growth: 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 24% in Math, and 23% in Science. The school ranks #1595 out of 1796 Tennessee schools, placing it in the lower percentile statewide. With an enrollment of 762 students, Downtown Elementary is a substantial neighborhood school drawing from the downtown Memphis area.
The school's location at 10 N 4th Street places it within a large urban setting where families have access to city resources and services. For families considering this school, it's worth having direct conversations with the school about its specific improvement efforts and what support systems exist for student learning.
Score Breakdown
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Downtown Elementary — Students at Downtown Elementary score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.3/10.
How Downtown Elementary Compares
See how Downtown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 19.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30.2% (2025).
Location
10 N 4th St, Memphis, TN 38103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downtown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS (rated 9.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP Memphis Collegiate Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cummings Elementary/Middle (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School Memphis | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Early Childhood Programs Memphis | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Medical District High School Memphis | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| B. T. Washington High Memphis | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| MARIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Memphis | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School Memphis | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Larose Elementary Memphis | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| KIPP Memphis Collegiate Elementary Memphis | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle Memphis | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS Memphis | 1.7 mi | 9.4 |
| MEMPHIS RECOVERY CENTER Memphis | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High Memphis | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Bruce Elementary Memphis | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Bellevue Middle Memphis | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Central High Memphis | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Manassas High Memphis | 2.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Soulsville Charter School Memphis | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie Memphis | 2.0 mi | 1.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,763
Median Home Value
$380,900
Median Rent
$1,575/mo
Population
14,025
College Educated
60.9%
Homeownership
30.8%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downtown Elementary has a median household income of $75,763. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $380,900, with a median rent of $1,575/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Benny C. Bills Elementary School Gallatin, TN | 3.9 |
| Highland Rim School Fayetteville, TN | 3.9 |
| Scales Elementary School Murfreesboro, TN | 3.9 |
| A. Z. Kelley Elementary Antioch, TN | 4.0 |
| Crestview Elementary Covington, TN | 4.0 |
| Holmes Road Elementary Memphis, TN | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downtown Elementary
What grades does Downtown Elementary serve?
Downtown Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Downtown Elementary?
Downtown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 762 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown Elementary is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downtown Elementary rank in TN?
Downtown Elementary is ranked #1653 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Downtown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown Elementary 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 Downtown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown Elementary has 23.9% math proficiency and 25.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Downtown Elementary a charter school?
No, Downtown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Downtown Elementary a Title I school?
No, Downtown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (9,456/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Memphis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 762
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (901) 416-8400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Memphis-Shelby County Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,057
- Schools in District
- 222
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,695
- District Rank
- #177 of 202
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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