Average
#1366 of 1,785 schools in TN
Dunbar Elementary
Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
2606 Select Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Memphis
#117 of 199
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#789 of 1,002
In district
#123 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dunbar Elementary
Dunbar Elementary serves 198 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the Shelby County school system. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #277 out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Tennessee schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to student achievement and educational excellence within the district. Dunbar Elementary is situated on Select Avenue in a diverse urban community where families are working to build better futures for their children. The school serves a neighborhood where 32.3% of residents live below the poverty line, with a median household income of $29,492.
Despite economic challenges in the area, the school's impressive state ranking demonstrates its dedication to providing quality education and supporting student success. Located in Memphis, one of Tennessee's major cities, Dunbar Elementary operates within a large urban environment that offers students exposure to the opportunities and experiences that come with city life.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, Dunbar 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
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Dunbar Elementary — Students at Dunbar Elementary score 17% 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
→ 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: 3.8/10.
How Dunbar Elementary Compares
See how Dunbar Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17.3% (2025).
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 8.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 3.2 |
| Bethel Grove Elementary Memphis | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus Memphis | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| LORDS TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis | 1.0 mi | — |
| Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis | 0.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Middle College High Memphis | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Maxine Smith STEAM Academy Memphis | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Cherokee Elementary Memphis | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Peabody Elementary Memphis | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Exceptional Children Special Placements Memphis | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Invictus Academy at Airways Memphis | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Sherwood Middle Memphis | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| ST LUKE'S DAY SCHOOL Memphis | 1.9 mi | — |
| East High Memphis | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Sharpe Elementary Memphis | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Idlewild Elementary Memphis | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus Memphis | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dunbar Elementary has a median household income of $32,080. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,000, with a median rent of $897/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Whiteville Elementary Whiteville, TN | 5.0 |
| Grassy Fork Elementary Hartford, TN | 5.1 |
| John Hay Elementary Morristown, TN | 4.9 |
| Lobelville Elementary Lobelville, TN | 5.1 |
| Millersville Elementary Goodlettsville, TN | 4.9 |
| Springdale Elementary Memphis, TN | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #1366 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Dunbar Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dunbar Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Dunbar Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunbar Elementary has 17.3% math proficiency and 13.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (901) 416-5000
- 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
- #123 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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