Downtown Elementary School

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Downtown Elementary School With its distinctive architecture and bright, spacious interior, Downtown Elementary is a lesson in how design can enhance the learning environment.

Downtown Elementary is an Enriched Academics Optional School (State of TN Reward School) with a strong academic program for both optional and non-optional students. Our facility features computers in every classroom, as well as a computer lab with state-of-the-art equipment. We have a comprehensive science lab that is partially funded by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. In addition, our school has art and music facilities utilized for both during and after-school programs. Overall, Downtown Elementary is a colorful and stimulating learning environment. Downtown Elementary is in a convenient location for those who live and work in downtown Memphis. Downtown Elementary takes pride in its highly-qualified and experienced staff. All teachers are certified in the state of Tennessee. More than 60 percent of the faculty hold master's degrees, eight percent have doctoral degrees, and eight percent are degreed Educational Specialists. Members of our faculty have also won the Rotary Award for Teacher Excellence, and seven teachers have earned National Board Certification. The hardworking faculty at Downtown Elementary is committed to ensuring students are challenged to achieve, and teachers are dedicated to caring about every child. Parents are valued partners in Downtown Elementary's goal of making the learning experience a joy for its students. The school invites parents to visit their child's classroom to observe, participate in tutoring, chaperone field trips, and otherwise become involved.

What an AWESOME Professional Learning Day at Downtown Elementary! ❤️🖤🤍Our DES educators came together to collaborate, re...
10/19/2026

What an AWESOME Professional Learning Day at Downtown Elementary! ❤️🖤🤍

Our DES educators came together to collaborate, reflect, strengthen instructional practices, and recommit to doing what’s best for ALL students!

A highlight of the day was our vertical team collaboration, where teachers worked across grade levels to align standards, strengthen instructional practices, and build a shared understanding of student expectations.

We are growing together, learning together, and BECOMING WHAT WE BELIEVE! 💪🏽🏙️

The BEST is yet to come for our DES Skyscrapers! ❤️🖤 Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCSMSCS Optional SchoolsRoderick Richmond

Reminder: MSCS teachers and school staff, District Learning Day is Monday, October 19! While students remain on Fall Bre...
10/19/2026

Reminder: MSCS teachers and school staff, District Learning Day is Monday, October 19! While students remain on Fall Break, teachers will return for a day of professional learning before students return to the classroom on Tuesday, October 20.

10/16/2026
10/10/2026

Happy Birthday Roderick Richmond!! The DES Skyscrapers hope you have an amazing day!! 🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎈🎂🎂🎂

🎶 Big talent. Beautiful harmony. Downtown pride!Downtown Elementary’s 2nd–5th graders and the Singing Skyscrapers will p...
10/07/2026

🎶 Big talent. Beautiful harmony. Downtown pride!

Downtown Elementary’s 2nd–5th graders and the Singing Skyscrapers will perform alongside the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for our Side-by-Side Concert!

📅 October 28, 2026
🕜 1:30 p.m.
📍 DES Multipurpose Room

Celebrate our students as they bring learning to life through music! ❤️🎻

🦃🍂 IT’S TURKEY TROT TIME, DES! 🍂🦃Our Annual Turkey Trot Run/Walk Fundraiser benefits Downtown Elementary School’s educat...
10/07/2026

🦃🍂 IT’S TURKEY TROT TIME, DES! 🍂🦃

Our Annual Turkey Trot Run/Walk Fundraiser benefits Downtown Elementary School’s educational program!

🏆 Students, raise as much as you can now through November 10 for a chance to win PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY, a special gift, and a swag bag!

💰 Families may begin turning in donations now! Send donations to your child’s homeroom teacher as they are collected. Continue raising and submitting donations through Tuesday, November 10, at 8:30 a.m.

More prizes:
🥈 Runner-Up: DES swag bag & special gift
⭐ Largest Participating Class: Classroom party

📝 Parents must sign and return the Run/Walk-a-Thon permission slip for students to participate.

🏃‍♀️ Turkey Trot Parade & Race: Thursday, November 19, 2026!

Every donation supports learning at DES. Let’s make this fundraiser TURKEY-TASTIC! 🦃❤️

🏀 THE TEAM IS SET. THE WORK STARTS NOW. 🔥Introducing the 2026–2027 Downtown Elementary School Basketball Team! Congratul...
10/05/2026

🏀 THE TEAM IS SET. THE WORK STARTS NOW. 🔥

Introducing the 2026–2027 Downtown Elementary School Basketball Team! Congratulations to our amazing student-athletes who are ready to learn, grow, work together, and represent DES with pride! 🖤♥️🏀

We can’t wait to cheer them on as they build confidence, teamwork, and great sportsmanship both on and off the court.

👏🏾 Join us in celebrating our DES Basketball Team!

✨ FUTURE READY. STEM READY. ✨Our 5th-grade Optional students got a glimpse of what’s next with a visit from Maxine Smith...
09/30/2026

✨ FUTURE READY. STEM READY. ✨

Our 5th-grade Optional students got a glimpse of what’s next with a visit from Maxine Smith STEAM Academy

MSSA student leaders brought the energy with a hands-on STEM challenge, real conversation, and a chance for our students to ask questions about middle school life.

Building. Creating. Connecting. Preparing for the next level. 💡

Thank you, Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, for pouring into our students and helping them keep Becoming What We Believe.

🌊📚 DES SURF’S UP FOR LITERACY RECAP! 📚🌊Downtown Elementary made waves for literacy! Our families came together for an ev...
09/28/2026

🌊📚 DES SURF’S UP FOR LITERACY RECAP! 📚🌊
Downtown Elementary made waves for literacy! Our families came together for an evening filled with reading, learning, and fun as we continue Becoming What We Believe! ❤️📖

A special THANK YOU to our guest readers MSCS Board Commissioner Michelle Robinson McKissack, Alloyna Payne, and Margaret Brazil for sharing their time and love of reading with our students.

We also extend a huge thank you to our sponsor, Memphis Public Library, for supporting our Literacy Night and generously donating books to help our young readers build their home libraries. 📚

And to our amazing teachers, faculty, staff, and parents who volunteered their time, energy, and creativity to make the evening a success—THANK YOU! It truly takes a community to help our students learn, grow, and shine.

At DES, good books build brighter futures—and reading takes you places! 🌟📚

📸 DES, Picture Day is coming!Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 27. Our Downtown Elementary scholars will be stepp...
09/26/2026

📸 DES, Picture Day is coming!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 27. Our Downtown Elementary scholars will be stepping in front of the camera for Fall School Day Pictures!
✨ School uniform required
📲 Preorder your package: https://tinyurl.com/DESFallpictures
🗓️ Orders due by Friday, October 30
Get those smiles ready, DES. Picture Day is next month! 📚✨

Address

10 N 4th Street
Memphis, TN
38103

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 3:15pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 3:15pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 3:15pm
Thursday 8:15am - 3:15pm
Friday 8:15am - 3:15pm

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