Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 38133

ZIP code 38133 is home to three public middle schools serving grades 6–8 — Kate Bond Middle School, Bon Lin Middle School, and Appling Middle School — which together span two very different districts: Memphis-Shelby County Schools, ranked 137th out of 141 Tennessee districts, and Bartlett City Schools, ranked 15th out of 141. This sharp district divide is the most important context for understanding these schools: location within the ZIP code matters more than the ZIP code itself.

Bon Lin Middle School is the clear standout. It ranks 59th out of 594 Tennessee middle schools (90th percentile) with 5 stars, boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the group at 10.9%, and spends the least per student at $12,270. It exceeds state averages in every subject and outperforms its same-district neighbor, Appling Middle School, in all categories. Appling is solid — 164th in the state (72nd percentile, 4 stars) — but declined in every subject from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, with science proficiency dropping nearly 9 points. Kate Bond Middle School is the biggest concern: ranked 488th out of 594 (18th percentile, 1 star), it falls below state proficiency averages in every subject, with math proficiency at just 15.5% and ELA at 19.8%, alongside the highest chronic absenteeism (21.1%) and highest spending per student ($13,519).

Comparing the three reveals that higher spending does not translate to higher performance — Kate Bond spends the most and scores the lowest, while Bon Lin spends the least and scores the highest. Chronic absenteeism tracks performance closely, from Bon Lin's 10.9% to Appling's 17.0% to Kate Bond's 21.1%. There is some good news: Kate Bond improved in every subject year over year, though it remains far below state averages. Appling's decline within a top-ranked district is worth watching, and 8th grade is a particular weak point at both Kate Bond and Appling. For parents, the picture is stark: Bon Lin is a top-tier performer, Appling is solid but slipping, and Kate Bond faces serious academic challenges despite recent gains.