Public School Review - Established 2003

Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District

160 S Hollywood
Memphis, TN 38112
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Tel: (901) 321-2500
www.scsk12.org

Top Rankings

Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Tennessee for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024-25 school year, there are 54 public charter schools serving 18,914 students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District. This district's average charter testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public charter schools in Tennessee.
Public Charter Schools in Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 10% (versus the Tennessee public charter school average of 16%), and reading proficiency score of 17% (versus the 21% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public charter school average of 91% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (TN)
# Schools
222 Schools
115 Schools
# Students
109,797 Students
44,880 Students
# Teachers
6,875 Teachers
2,541 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

District Rank

Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 147 school districts in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
State Average (TN)
#135 out of 147 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
14%
31%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
23%
37%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
21%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
80%
90%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and public school graduation rate of Tennessee by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.45
0.53
# American Indian Students
67 Students
54 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
921 Students
415 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
19,948 Students
11,031 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
24%
# Black Students
79,324 Students
28,573 Students
% Black Students
72%
64%
# White Students
5,851 Students
3,996 Students
% White Students
6%
9%
# Hawaiian Students
34 Students
18 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,652 Students
793 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
2%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
4,853
411
# Students in K Grade:
8,711
3,518
# Students in 1st Grade:
8,984
3,437
# Students in 2nd Grade:
8,195
3,130
# Students in 3rd Grade:
8,498
3,196
# Students in 4th Grade:
8,814
3,098
# Students in 5th Grade:
8,496
3,448
# Students in 6th Grade:
7,951
4,645
# Students in 7th Grade:
7,835
4,456
# Students in 8th Grade:
7,553
4,266
# Students in 9th Grade:
8,734
3,442
# Students in 10th Grade:
7,677
3,083
# Students in 11th Grade:
6,545
2,469
# Students in 12th Grade:
6,951
2,281
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,623 is higher than the state median of $12,030. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,594 is higher than the state median of $11,527. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
This State (TN)
Total Revenue
$1,386 MM
$12,104 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$1,383 MM
$11,597 MM
This chart displays total spending of Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$12,623
$12,030
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$12,594
$11,527
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Tennessee by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District Public Charter Schools (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Crosstown High School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1365 Tower Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 401-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 473 students
Rank: #22.
Memphis Stem Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2180 Frayser Blvd
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 708-3001
Grades: K-5
| 219 students
Rank: #33.
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4443 S. Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Grades: K-4
| 95 students
Rank: #44.
Memphis Rise Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5221 Raleigh Lagrange Rd
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 379-5750
Grades: 6-12
| 766 students
Rank: #55.
Memphis Business Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1082 Berclair
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 591-7267
Grades: K-5
| 271 students
Rank: #66.
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3572 Emerald
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 546-9928
Grades: K-8
| 255 students
Rank: #77.
Memphis School Of Excellence Elementary Cordova
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8350 Macon Rd
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 707-8146
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
Rank: #88.
City University School Girls Preparatory
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1475 East Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 775-2219
Grades: 6-8
| 86 students
Rank: #99.
Journey East Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6870 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 567-7086
Grades: K-8
| 347 students
Rank: #1010.
Compass Community School Midtown Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
61 N. Mclean Blvd
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 276-1221
Grades: 7-12
| 331 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2718 Lamar Ave
Memphis, TN 38114
(901) 743-6700
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Memphis School Of Excellence Cordova
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8360 Macon Rd
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 421-6825
Grades: 6-12
| 295 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4443 S. Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Grades: 6-8
| 51 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Memphis Merit Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4775 American Way
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 617-3690
Grades: K-5
| 291 students
Rank: #1515.
Aurora Collegiate Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4841 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 249-4615
Grades: K-5
| 324 students
Rank: #1616.
Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2221 Democrat Rd
Memphis, TN 38132
(901) 743-7335
Grades: K-5
| 337 students
Rank: #1717.
City University School Of Liberal Arts
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1475 E. Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 775-2219
Grades: 9-12
| 227 students
Rank: #1818.
Promise Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1346 Bryan St
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 324-4456
Grades: PK-5
| 304 students
Rank: #1919.
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3750 Millbranch Rd
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 538-9500
Grades: PK-5
| 551 students
Rank: #2020.
Leadership Preparatory Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4190 Elliston Rd
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 512-4495
Grades: K-8
| 419 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2540 Hale Ave
Memphis, TN 38112
(901) 866-9084
Grades: K-8
| 207 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Power Center Academy Elementary - Southeast
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
8146 E Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 352-6226
Grades: K-5
| 415 students
Rank: #2323.
Circles Of Success Learning Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
867 South Parkway East
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 322-7978
Grades: K-5
| 217 students
Rank: #2424.
Memphis School Of Excellence
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4921 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 425-2932
Grades: 6-12
| 526 students
Rank: #2525.
Memphis Business Academy Middle School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3306 Overton Crossing
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 257-2708
Grades: 6-8
| 390 students
Rank: #2626.
Power Center Academy High School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5390 Mendenhall Square Mall
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 310-1331
Grades: 9-12
| 706 students
Rank: #2727.
Freedom Preparatory Academy Flagship
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5132 Jonetta St, 6-8
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 538-9500
Grades: 6-12
| 830 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Compass Community School Berclair Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3880 Forrest
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 323-2162
Grades: K-8
| 231 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Compass Community School Frayser Campus
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3690 Thomas St
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 358-7431
Grades: K-8
| 210 students
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Veritas College Preparatory
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Dunn Ave
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 526-1900
Grades: 6-8
| 144 students
Rank: #3131.
Memphis Business Academy High School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3306 Overton Crossing
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 357-8680
Grades: 9-12
| 510 students
Rank: #3232.
Star Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3240 James Rd
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 387-5050
Grades: K-7
| 285 students
Rank: #3333.
Arrow Academy Of Excellence
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
645 Semmes St
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 207-1891
Grades: K-5
| 98 students
Rank: #3434.
Power Center Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3540 S. Mendenhall St
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 310-2999
Grades: K-5
| 720 students
Rank: #3535.
Power Center Academy Middle School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5449 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 333-6874
Grades: 6-8
| 450 students
Show 19 more public schools in Memphis-Shelby County Schools School District (out of 54 total schools)
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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • District size: 222 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 109,797 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 95%
  • : 80% (Btm 50% in TN)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 23% (Btm 50%)
  • : 21% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education

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