The Need
History of the Binghampton Community
The Binghampton community is located between two major east-west arteries: Summer and Poplar on the north and south, with East Parkway and Holmes the east and west boundaries. Binghampton began as an independent and racially integrated rural Memphis town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Annexed by Memphis in 1919 when the city’s growth pushed to the east, Binghampton eventually came to be surrounded by more affluent neighborhoods. Binghampton proper has experienced shifting character as a result of development, various stages of racial segregation, and a transition from owner to renter occupied housing. The Binghampton neighborhood is located eight miles east of downtown Memphis and at its very geographic center.
Severe Poverty and Lack of Economic Assets
The community suffers from severe poverty and lack of economic assets. An analysis put together by the Binghampton Development Corporation shows that this severe poverty is being passed on from one generation to another and that the lack of critical assets (i.e., grocery stores, clothing outlets, thrift stores, drug stores, etc) perpetuates the cycle. In addition, the Binghampton community suffers from many of the same issues as the city as a whole.
The Statistics Add Up
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2000) and Tennessee Department of Education (2008):
• A 31% decline in population from 1970 to 2000 to just under 9,000 residents
• A 19% decline in occupied housing units, with the share in rental service increasing from 35% to 59% from 1970 to 2000
• 48% of the households have incomes under $20,000, leading to a area median income of $26,000
• 35% of residents live under the poverty level, with certain Census block groups over 70%
• 33% of households earn no wage or salary income
• 31% of householders are single female head of household
• 10% of housing units are empty or abandoned with certain Census blocks as high as 14%
• TCAP scores for Lester Elementary, the primary elementary school in the Binghampton Community, have remained unchanged for the last 3 years.
• The TCAP scores for Lester students in grades 3 through 8 for 2008 were as follows:
- Reading Language – F
- Math - D
- Social Studies – F
- Science - F
Crime Is a Significant Issue
Crime is another issue in the Binghampton area. According to the Memphis Police Department, in just one month’s time during 2009, there were 3 aggravated assaults within one-quarter mile of Lester Elementary, 3 residential burglaries, 9 acts of domestic violence, 2 thefts, 5 narcotics arrests, and 1 rape. Clearly, crime is a significant issue in the area near Lester Elementary.
Figure 1
Elementary Schools Paint the Picture of Children in Need
Currently, there are two elementary schools in the Binghampton area. Those schools are Lester Elementary School and Brewster Elementary School. Since Lester Elementary has been in existence for a much longer time than Brewster (opened just three years ago), a further analysis of Lester Elementary is provided below.
Figure 2
In 2008, Lester Elementary had 814 students enrolled with nearly 98% of them African American and less than two percent of the students Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, and Caucasian.
Further, over 92% of students at Lester were economically disadvantaged as evident by those eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch program in accordance with guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 2007 and 2008, Lester Elementary was on the state’s list of low performing schools and was on the verge of a state takeover if scores on the TCAP do not improve. From 2006 to 2008, Lester Elementary received Ds in Mathematics and Fs in Reading/Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, respectively .
In addition, Lester Elementary suffers from significant discipline issues. In 2008, for example, nearly 30% of the male students were suspended and nearly 10% of the female students were suspended.
Figure 3
Cornerstone Prep Prepares for the Future
Certainly, these statistics indicate the clear need for a school that can provide strong academic achievement, a structured and disciplined environment, and preparation for a future of success. Cornerstone Prep will be one part of the long-term, multi-faceted solution to the issues found in our community.