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Needs Improvement

#1663 of 1,786 schools in TN

Thelma Barker Elementary

Elementary School · Madison County

1470 Ashport RD, Jackson, TN 38305

Enrollment

715

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,663 of 1,786

In Jackson

#17 of 24

public schools

In district

#18 of 25

Madison County

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Thelma Barker Elementary

3.8/10

Elementary School in Jackson · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Side High School

3.8/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pope School

5.6/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thelma Barker Elementary

Thelma Barker Elementary is a public elementary school in Jackson, TN, part of Madison County. Thelma Barker Elementary serves approximately 715 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Thelma Barker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,663 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Thelma Barker Elementary show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Thelma Barker 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 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.6% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,115
Chronic Absenteeism31%

Thelma Barker Elementary — Students at Thelma Barker Elementary score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 39.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
58%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
50%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
24%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
27.3%
ELA
30.8%
2025
Math
35.6%
ELA
29%

* 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 Thelma Barker Elementary Compares

See how Thelma Barker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in TN
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1470 Ashport RD, Jackson, TN 38305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thelma Barker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Tennessee School for the Deaf (rated 8.2/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Community Montessori School (rated 7.1/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pope School (rated 5.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
North Side High School Jackson 1.7 mi 3.8
Pope School Jackson 1.4 mi 5.6
AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Jackson 1.6 mi 6.1
Jackson Academic STEAM Academy Jackson 3.6 mi 5.1
JACKSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson 3.8 mi 5.3
Northeast Middle School Jackson 3.6 mi 6.7
Andrew Jackson Elementary School Jackson 4.2 mi 2.3
MADISON OAKS ACADEMY Jackson 4.3 mi
North Parkway Middle School Jackson 4.7 mi 2.9
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jackson 4.5 mi 5.9
East Elementary School Jackson 4.4 mi 3.8
Nova Early Learning Center Jackson 4.8 mi 3.5
West Tennessee School for the Deaf Jackson 5.5 mi 8.2
Liberty Technology Magnet High School Jackson 5.1 mi 3.7
Community Montessori School Jackson 6.0 mi 7.1
Arlington Elementary School Jackson 6.1 mi 4.1
Alexander Elementary School Jackson 6.1 mi 2.8
Jackson Central Merry High School Jackson 6.3 mi 1.7
Jackson Central Merry Middle School Jackson 6.3 mi 5.4
Jackson Central-Merry Early College High Jackson 6.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,292

Median Home Value

$221,200

Median Rent

$1,201/mo

Population

53,366

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Elementary School Jackson, TN 3.8
Keystone Elementary Memphis, TN 3.8
Levi Elementary Memphis, TN 3.8
Minglewood Elementary Clarksville, TN 3.8
Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows Elementary Memphis, TN 3.8
Riverview Elementary/Middle Memphis, TN 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thelma Barker Elementary

What grades does Thelma Barker Elementary serve?

Thelma Barker Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Thelma Barker Elementary?

Thelma Barker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 715 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thelma Barker Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Thelma Barker Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thelma Barker Elementary rank in TN?

Thelma Barker Elementary ranks #1,663 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Thelma Barker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thelma Barker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Thelma Barker Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thelma Barker Elementary has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Thelma Barker Elementary a charter school?

No, Thelma Barker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thelma Barker Elementary a Title I school?

No, Thelma Barker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
715
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Madison County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.0%

District

Madison County
District Enrollment
12,662
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,115
District Rank
#18 of 25

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