Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38002

ZIP code 38002, covering the Arlington/Lakeland area of Tennessee, contains 8 schools serving grades PK–12 with approximately 7,902 students across three districts: Arlington Community Schools (ranked #2 in Tennessee), Lakeland School System (ranked #6), and Memphis-Shelby County Schools (ranked #137 of 141). The ZIP includes 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools, creating a striking mix of some of the state's top-performing schools alongside schools that struggle significantly.

Among the standouts, Donelson Elementary School is the highest-ranked school in the ZIP, sitting at #9 of 1,019 elementary schools (99th percentile) with 87.7% math proficiency and 82.6% ELA proficiency, plus exceptionally low chronic absenteeism of 5.4%. Arlington Middle School ranks in the 93rd percentile with 94.8% Algebra I proficiency. At the high school level, Arlington High School and Lakeland Preparatory School are close rivals ranked #44 and #48 respectively, both earning 4 stars; Arlington High posts a 94.9% graduation rate while Lakeland Prep excels in science with 91.1% Biology I proficiency. At the other end, Bolton High School ranks in the 28th percentile with only 9.4% Algebra I proficiency and 26.6% chronic absenteeism, yet still graduates 91.3% of its students. Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle School ranks in the 44th percentile with math proficiency around 32%.

Notably, spending does not predict performance — Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle School spends the most per student ($22,552) yet posts modest results, while Lakeland Preparatory School spends the least ($12,217) and ranks in the 88th percentile. Chronic absenteeism mirrors performance: Arlington and Lakeland schools range from 5.4% to 8.4%, while Bolton High School and Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle School report 26.6% and 14.3% respectively, compared to the 18.3% state average. Parents should also note that early Algebra acceleration inflates some math scores — Arlington Middle School and Lakeland Prep achieve 92-95% Algebra I proficiency because their strongest students take the course in middle school. Overall, ZIP 38002 offers families dramatically different educational experiences within a few miles, depending on which district boundaries their home falls into.