Dexter Elementary School

Memphis, TN 38016

Phone: (901) 416-0355
District: Shelby County Schools

5

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7, • 1509 students

Dexter Elementary School, a public school located in Memphis, TN, serves grades PK-8 in the Shelby County Schools.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Dexter Elementary School is a public school located in Memphis, TN. 1509 students attend Dexter Elementary School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 2/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2024 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) data from Tennessee Department of Education, and using 2024 Gateway/End-of-Course (EOC) data from Tennessee Department of Education.
Student Growth 7/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from Tennessee Department of Education, and using 2024 Student Growth - ACT data from Tennessee Department of Education.

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

Posted: November 27, 2023

My son goes to Dexter since Pre-k and he loves it, his teachers have done a great job, he is learning so fast even though he’s bilingual , and all of his teachers have been friendly and easy to communicate, I recommend this school even the front desk people are nice and helpful.

Posted: March 2, 2023

No structure and not enough caring teaching.

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: March 2, 2023

Posted: May 17, 2022

Moved and my daughter had to transferred to this school. She hates it, so do I. She’s literally in tears every morning when it’s time to drop her off. I have not had any communication with her homeroom teacher or any teacher for that matter.

She transferred around October and I never received a welcome packet or a car rider number after asking numerous of times. No classroom newsletter to let me know what they are learning in class. They just throw a worksheet in backpack for homework with no instructions. 3rd grade is suppose to be a fun experience. No class projects or book reports has never been assigned.

She has experience bullying and nothing was done about it. My daughter knows how to stand up for self but she should be focused on learning only!

Teachers stand outside during drop off and pick up just starring at you all crazy instead of help assisting your child out of the car. In past elementary schools, the teachers at least say good morning and come to your car door to help the students out of the car.

So now that we got through this school year she will not be returning to Dexter or any other Shelby County school. My daughter has been to school in a whole another state and the learning experience was vastly different.

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: May 17, 2022

Posted: June 29, 2019

Some of the teachers are incompetent. Don’t register your child at this school.

Posted: June 29, 2019

Posted: June 29, 2019

This is not a place to send your children if you want them to succeed in life. The teachers are incompetent and care nothing about the children.

Posted: June 29, 2019

Posted: June 29, 2019

Posted: June 29, 2019

The teachers at Dexter are so ready to stick your child in special ed without a diagnosis from a professional.

Posted: June 29, 2019

Teachers don’t always notify the parent that their child is getting bullied.

Posted: January 26, 2019

Posted: January 26, 2019

I was in the process of submitting a general choice transfer to another school, and my son said he wants to stay at Dexter! He said he really likes his teachers and it's a great school. That means a lot coming from him!

Posted: January 26, 2019

I was a bit hesitant, because of the reviews, but it's really been great. I've built rapport with everyone from the office staff to the car rider line! They really do care and are working to incorporate more student activities and recognize the students for their great work, but parents, they need you! Please find out how you can volunteer at your child's school. Don't expect them to do all of the work, take part in this process

Posted: January 26, 2019

Although my son only receives homework in his math class, they are consistent. Ms Shortie posts the homework in ClassDojo, as well as well as examples, which are truly helpful! She also works diligently with the students! You can see a difference in test scores for second graders this year as well.

Posted: January 26, 2019

These teachers deserve a raise. People send their problem kids to school with no home training and expect teachers to fix them. It's not realistic or fair. However, these teachers are up for the challenge. They all stay in constant contact with me and keep me informed of what's happening in the classroom. They don't just give up on kids, they keep trying to work with them to fix the issues.

Posted: January 26, 2019

My son came home after a program about bullying and explained why it's wrong, and how he will stop others if he identifies it.

Posted: January 26, 2019

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

This school has been a very terrible experience for my son and he's only in Kindergarten. I feel his teacher bullies him and other students. I also think that if students don't act like perfect little angels and stay in their seats all day long that they just write off the child as being a trouble maker. Children are supposed to learn through play at this age not be forced to stay put and be quiet for 8 hours a day. My son comes home everyday saying he hates school and that he's scared. He loved school last year so much but this experience has changed his idea of school in a bad way. Pray for this school!

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

teacher makes fun of students in class

Posted: January 25, 2018

Posted: January 25, 2018

very sad experience the teacher promotes bulling

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2017

We recently moved to a different part of Shelby County and this school was where were zoned for. Since school started its been a struggle to get my daughter to school. The overall atmosphere is tense and parents are not allowed to do anything with their child even on their first day. I know its because of the demographics and there have been issues in the past but its very tense. My daughters first day was hard and she was in tears and the teacher was very uncompassionate about it being her first day in a new school, not word. To me I thought that was strange. Kids will be kids but the overall atmosphere from what she tells me is kids are rude and unfriendly. We reached out to the staff and all we get is emails no phone calls. Very impersonal. All this with the first five days. Lets just say this we working to transfer her back to old school. Not a great experience. Amazing how each school atmosphere is different but all the same governing body.

Posted: December 15, 2016

Posted: December 15, 2016

Posted: December 15, 2016

Posted: December 15, 2016

Posted: December 15, 2016

Posted: December 15, 2016

The people here are amazing. My daughter has been here since Kindergarten. I know all of her teachers. They are very kind and will always listen to you. I have never been disappointed by any of the staff. I see others have put bad reviews about this school. I have seen parents in the office complaining of things that should have been taken care of before school started or even at the first or second week of school. Sorry parents that have had problems but stop to think, they have many kids, sometimes things get mixed up. If you get to know the staff in anyway , meaning taking the time to go to open house or a play, you may realize that the staff has a lot going on with that many children. I personally have seen the "parents" act worse than some of the children. The "parents" can't follow directions yet they want to blame the school for it. I think this is a great school. We only have one more year. I wish they went to 8th grade because I would love to keep my child there!!!

Posted: September 14, 2016

Posted: September 14, 2016

Posted: September 14, 2016

I observed a parent very upset in the office. The staff was being indifferent to her as s he was trying to locate the principle. She said that her special needs had been beaten. Seeing how shaken she was, I asked did she take pics. There were welts all over the child's back. Later I observed her checking the child out of school and removing his belongings. I asked did everything go OK with the principal. She shook her head. The child is only 5 years old.

Posted: September 14, 2016

I called ahead to inform the bus that I would be picking up my kid from school. the teacher let him board the bus anyway. Later found out the secretary didn't alert the teacher because she was out of the room. I had to chase down the bus to get my child when he got off, he was crying because another student had him. I was a nightmare. He's only 5 years old.

Posted: August 12, 2016

Posted: August 12, 2016

Posted: August 12, 2016

Posted: August 12, 2016

I wish I was able to select no stars as that is indicative of the rating that this school deserves. The staff in the office are less than helpful and lack basic customer service skills. The rules that are set forth such as not being able to walk your child to class or eat lunch with them at the beginning of the school year is beyond ridiculous! It seems as if parent involvement is not a top priority for this school. What happended to parents interacting with their child's teacher on a daily basis and not just during parent teacher conferences? If you're an active parent, who wants to be involved in your child's education, I suggest you steer clear of this school. I'm currently in the process of trying to transfer my child to another school and the school year just began 5 days ago.

Posted: March 12, 2015

My kids have to go to this school right now, but i can tell you from what I've seen I'm not impressed. The staff really seems detached and are not helpful or opened to assist at all

Posted: September 1, 2014

I wouldn't recommend this school at all. We have had nothing but trouble since coming here. The teachers are cold and don't even try to get to know their students. Children can't be children. It's like your child is in a military boarding school and there are strict rules to follow. The administrators don't care about their students and seem more inconvenienced by them. They are also very unorganized. If you want your child in a cold, unwelcoming, and high stress environment then this is your school. If not, skip this school all together.

Posted: January 15, 2014

My daughter attended this school for kindergarten, 1st grade and part of second grade. We moved and I wish we could have taken the school with us. The principal really cares and encourages parent involvement. The teachers are really involved and are easily accessible to the parents. It is a well cared for school and it is in a safe and family friendly area.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

# Name Type City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Country Meadows Neighborhood/Subdivision Bartlett TN 4.3 mi
2 Oak Forest Neighborhood/Subdivision Memphis TN 4.5 mi
3 Daybreak Neighborhood/Subdivision Memphis TN 4.9 mi
4 Rivercrest Neighborhood/Subdivision Memphis TN 6.9 mi
5 Oakwood Subdivision Neighborhood/Subdivision Lakeland TN 7.8 mi
6 Harbor Town Neighborhood/Subdivision Memphis TN 12.9 mi
7 Templeton Farms Neighborhood/Subdivision Atoka TN 17.3 mi
8 Blaydes Estates Neighborhood/Subdivision Atoka TN 17.4 mi
9 Glenview Estates Neighborhood/Subdivision Munford TN 20.3 mi
# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Cordova Memphis TN 2.7 mi
2 Bartlett Bartlett TN 3.7 mi
3 Lakeland Lakeland TN 6.6 mi
4 Midtown Memphis Memphis TN 10.6 mi
5 Arlington Arlington TN 11.6 mi
6 Millington Millington TN 12.7 mi
7 Atoka Atoka TN 19.2 mi
8 Desoto County Hernando MS 25.5 mi
Base Distance
Tennessee National Guard Memphis 10.9 mi.
NSA Mid South 12.1 mi.
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