Skip to main content

Average

#1059 of 1,785 schools in TN

Thelma Barker Elementary

Elementary School · Madison County

1470 Ashport RD, Jackson, TN 38305

Enrollment

715

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jackson

#12 of 24

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#654 of 1,002

In district

#13 of 25

Madison County

About Thelma Barker Elementary

Thelma Barker Elementary is a regular public school located in Jackson, Tennessee, nestled within Madison County. With an enrollment of 715 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. Thelma Barker has 49 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to teaching kindergarten through fifth grade.

Academically, Thelma Barker Elementary is rated at the 44th percentile among Tennessee schools, with room for improvement in test scores. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 26%, Math proficiency is 29%, and Science shows slightly better performance at 40%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and growth.

Thelma Barker Elementary is situated in a small city setting, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources. The school's supportive environment fosters learning and community engagement, making it an integral part of Jackson’s educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,363

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 →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.9%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 25.7%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
21%
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: 5.9/10.

How Thelma Barker Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in TN
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

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. Pope School (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Community Montessori School (rated 6.5/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 5.1
Pope School Jackson 1.4 mi 8.4
AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Jackson 1.6 mi 6.1
Jackson Academic STEAM Academy Jackson 3.6 mi 4.7
JACKSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson 3.8 mi 5.3
Northeast Middle School Jackson 3.6 mi 6.1
Andrew Jackson Elementary School Jackson 4.2 mi 4.5
MADISON OAKS ACADEMY Jackson 4.3 mi
North Parkway Middle School Jackson 4.7 mi 4.5
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jackson 4.5 mi 6.0
East Elementary School Jackson 4.4 mi 7.1
Nova Early Learning Center Jackson 4.8 mi 6.1
West Tennessee School for the Deaf Jackson 5.5 mi 6.0
Liberty Technology Magnet High School Jackson 5.1 mi 5.4
Community Montessori School Jackson 6.0 mi 6.5
Arlington Elementary School Jackson 6.1 mi 5.9
Alexander Elementary School Jackson 6.1 mi 3.1
Jackson Central Merry High School Jackson 6.3 mi 2.4
Jackson Central Merry Middle School Jackson 6.3 mi 2.7
Jackson Central-Merry Early College High Jackson 6.4 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thelma Barker Elementary has a median household income of $66,292. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,200, with a median rent of $1,201/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. 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
Alex Green Elementary Whites Creek, TN 5.9
Arlington Elementary School Jackson, TN 5.9
Big Ridge Elementary School Hixson, TN 5.9
Evans Elementary Memphis, TN 5.9
Grahamwood Elementary Memphis, TN 5.9
Hobgood Elementary Murfreesboro, TN 5.9

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 is ranked #1059 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Thelma Barker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Thelma Barker Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Thelma Barker Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thelma Barker Elementary has 28.9% math proficiency and 25.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,122/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jackson). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related 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.