Average
#833 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 47% in state
Dunbar Elementary
Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
2606 Select Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee schools
#833 of 1,786
In Memphis
#58 of 199
public schools
In district
#59 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Dunbar Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Dunbar Elementary
Elementary School in Memphis · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Melrose High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bethel Grove Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dunbar Elementary
Dunbar Elementary is a public elementary school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Dunbar Elementary serves approximately 198 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dunbar Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #833 of 1,786 schools in TN.
Structured state assessment records for Dunbar Elementary show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- TN avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
At 198 students, Dunbar Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Dunbar Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
41% of students at Dunbar Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dunbar Elementary — Students at Dunbar Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 21 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Dunbar Elementary Compares
See how Dunbar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2606 Select Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dunbar Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Idlewild Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Melrose High Memphis | 0.5 mi | 2.4 |
| Bethel Grove Elementary Memphis | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus Memphis | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| LORDS TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis | 1.0 mi | — |
| Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Middle College High Memphis | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Maxine Smith STEAM Academy Memphis | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Cherokee Elementary Memphis | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Peabody Elementary Memphis | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Exceptional Children Special Placements Memphis | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Invictus Academy at Airways Memphis | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Sherwood Middle Memphis | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| ST LUKE'S DAY SCHOOL Memphis | 1.9 mi | — |
| East High Memphis | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Sharpe Elementary Memphis | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Idlewild Elementary Memphis | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Memphis | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Rozelle Elementary Memphis | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus Memphis | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38114 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,080
Median Home Value
$79,000
Median Rent
$897/mo
Population
20,440
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
46.2%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
32%
Median Age
42.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST CLEMENT COPTIC ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Nashville, TN | 6.6 |
| ST DOMINIC SCHOOL Memphis, TN | 6.6 |
| West Carroll Elementary School Trezevant, TN | 6.6 |
| Millersville Elementary Goodlettsville, TN | 6.5 |
| Pickwick Southside School Counce, TN | 6.5 |
| Anderson Elementary Bristol, TN | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dunbar Elementary
What grades does Dunbar Elementary serve?
Dunbar Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dunbar Elementary?
Dunbar Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dunbar Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dunbar Elementary rank in TN?
Dunbar Elementary ranks #833 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Dunbar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dunbar Elementary 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 Dunbar Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dunbar Elementary has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
Is Dunbar Elementary a charter school?
No, Dunbar Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dunbar Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dunbar Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.4%
- Phone
- (901) 416-5000
Resources & Links
District
Memphis-Shelby County Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,057
- Schools in District
- 222
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,695
- District Rank
- #59 of 202
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 rateRelated 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.