Bolton High School is a public high school located in unincorporated Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, that is a part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. Bolton High School is located northwest of the town of Arlington.
Serving 661 students in grades 9-12, Bolton High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤1% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 18% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 661 students
- Minority Enrollment: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 80-84% (Btm 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤1% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 18% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 35-39% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Bolton High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Bolton High School's student population of 661 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
661 students
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
Year Founded
1887
School Rankings
Bolton High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,728 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Bolton High School is 0.27, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1620 out of 1728 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤1%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
6%
16%
Black
85%
20%
White
5%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-84%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
93%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
19%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bolton High School's ranking?
Bolton High School is ranked #1620 out of 1,728 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Bolton High School often compared to?
Bolton High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Arlington High School, Bartlett High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤1% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% TN state average), while 18% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Bolton High School?
The graduation rate of Bolton High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend Bolton High School?
661 students attend Bolton High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
85% of Bolton High School students are Black, 6% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are White, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What grades does Bolton High School offer ?
Bolton High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Bolton High School part of?
Bolton High School is part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
School Reviews
Review Bolton High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
