Downtown Elementary School

10 North 4th Street

School District

Shelby County Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on October 16, 2023

I would not recommend this school it has bad staff they curse out their students and my child from last year said that they didn't care about them but the grades below them epically first and second grade. They are more staff minded then any thing but their staff in the office is amazing they are so sweet unlike the principal and assistant principal. I hope this helps you find a good Elementary School for your child or children
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2023

This school has excellent leadership with an administration that cares for its staff and communicates regularly with parents. The staff in each grade level collaborates to support the students academically and behaviorally. The art, music, PE, computer and library staff works diligently to support the students and school as a whole, planning their lessons to engage the students toward a love of learning and a love of Memphis.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2018

The Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My son loves his teachers.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2017

When my children attended, the teachers at Downtown are for the most part wonderful. However, the principal is horrible. Her poor attitude and dictatorial rule over the school has both students and teachers living in an environment of fear. Her constant threats and unwillingness to broker any disagreement is no role model for any child or teacher. The turnover rate for teachers and staff is appalling. Therefore, I pulled my children from the school and have no regrets. Fortunately, the school has a new principal this year and I wish her the best.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

Used to love this school.but if I would have known how erractic, cold and unprofessional the principal was...my.kids would never had enrolled. Great teachers but terrible.principal Not a supportive school for single parents! I see why so many administration members and teachers have left now.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2016

Overall the school is great. There's always room for growth but that's with anything. My is currently a student there and has been since kindergarten and will be there until he finishes 5th grade; we're in the 3rd now. I've had no problems with the teachers or the administration. They have all been very receptive to our needs. My son loves it and looks forward to going to school. There's tons for the students to become involved in. I would like for them to be able to join strings and the choir before 4th and 5th grade. I"m sure there's a reason they don't. There's other activities we've been able to participate in, chess, piano, Spanish, art, just to name a few. Downtown Elementary is a hidden jewel!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2015

My son has joined kindergarten. The Principal and administration are highly enabling and facilitating the registration process. The teachers, assistance, and before/after care staff are also passionate about what they do. They meet the child where they are and let them grow further actively striving to get them into Optional (magnet / enriched academics) program for years ahead. Cafeteria manager accommodates special meal needs and all meals are free.Just like anywhere else, kids would learn words you may not like and with parental care and school team's guidance, it will be alright soon for my kid. Music, PE, CLUE teachers are also great. Thanks.
Submitted by other on July 29, 2013

Your stats are deliberately misleading to parents and more harmful than beneficial. This school is outstanding. You eliminated the subgroup data because it indicates how good this school is.You mixed data that has nothing to do with the principal, teachers, students or this campus. There is a deliberate attempt to hide the ability of this school to educate white students or "non-disadvantaged" students and also disadvantaged students TOGETHER. Shame. Understand what racism is and what poverty is and what it does to kids - and how people overcome that. Post stats that represent the ability of a campus to educate kids on a normalized dataset with cofactors. I suspect that this school is BETTER than any other Shelby county school at educating a non-disadvantaged child not living in poverty with involved parents. What it also shows is that this school is able to teach LESS advantaged and advantaged kids TOGETHER. What the site is doing is trying to push all the white kids into another district and that has nothing to do with the campus or the teachers ability to teach ALL children at Downtown. Post the normalized data please.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

Our son Joshua is in the Pre-K program at Downtown Elementary. I have to admit I was somewhat unsure about it initially, but since I work in downtown Memphis and the idea of him being close, his first year of school, it outweighed any of my concerns. I have to say I really have come to love the school, especially his teacher Mrs. Finlayson. We LOVE HER!!!! And sort of saddened by the idea that we will soon be saying goodbye to her and he will be moving on. I think she is a GREAT teacher and was the PERFECT fit for our son and his first year attending school. We will certainly miss her
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2010

I never thought I would feel compelled to write another review about this school. I jumped in with both feet since my son started here in kindergarten. I was a tutor in the volunteer tutoring program, volunteered in my son's classroom when needed and went on many of the really great field trips. Unfortunately, this year I was involved in a situation with a child and parent, received absolutely no support from the school personnel and was basically hung out to dry. I am removing my son from the school this year. I will recommend this school with one caveat; WATCH YOUR BACK.
Submitted by student on November 29, 2009

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