The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Memphis for 2026 are Memphis Stem Academy (9.3/10), Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus (9.2/10), and Wells Station Elementary (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 108 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Memphis has 115 ranked elementary schools, giving families a wide field to evaluate. Memphis STEM Academy leads the pack with a 9.5/10 composite score, followed closely by Ida B. Wells Academy and Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary, both at 9.4. The metro average sits at 6.1/10, which means the top schools are pulling significantly ahead of the midpoint — a gap worth paying attention to when comparing options. Forty-one percent of ranked schools, 47 in total, score 7 or above, so strong performers aren't limited to just a handful of names. Still, quality varies considerably across zip codes and school types. The sortable table below lets you filter by score, location, and other factors to zero in on what matters most for your child. Start with the top performers if academics are the priority, or sort by proximity to find the strongest schools closest to home.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.3
- 29.2
- 39.1
- 48.9
- 58.9
- 68.9
- 78.8
- 88.7
- 98.6
- 108.5
All 108 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 108
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Memphis Stem AcademycharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 243student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 2Compass Community School Hickory Hill CampuscharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 254student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 3Wells Station ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 633student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 4Idlewild ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 588student-teacher ratio 15.9:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 5Southwind ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 661student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 6Freedom Prep Elementary - MillbranchcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 515student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 7Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 174student-teacher ratio 11.6:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 8Richland ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 911student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 9Leadership Preparatory Charter SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 437student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 10Compass Community School Berclair CampuscharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 229student-teacher ratio 10.9:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 11Oak Forest ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 418student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 12Balmoral/ridgeway ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 271student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 13Winridge ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 415student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 14Power Center Academy Elementary SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 712student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 15Aurora Collegiate AcademycharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 330student-teacher ratio 13.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 16Campus SchoolMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 407student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 17Compass Community School Frayser CampuscharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 204student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 18Delano ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 315student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 19Hawkins Mill ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 308student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 20Newberry ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 378student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 21White Station ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 795student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 22William Herbert Brewster Elementary SchoolMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 501student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 23Power Center Academy Elementary - SoutheastcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 433student-teacher ratio 24.1:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 24Perea Elementary SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 399student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 25Oakhaven ElementaryMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 523student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades Pre-K–5th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Tennessee education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Tennessee. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Memphis Stem Academy
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
243 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 8.3
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.3
- 2
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
254 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 2% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 7.5
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.8
- 3
Wells Station Elementary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
633 students · 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 3% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 7.7
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.7
- 4
Idlewild Elementary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
588 students · 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 4% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 8.8
- Environment
- 8.4
- 5
Southwind Elementary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
661 students · 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 4% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 8.9
- 6
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
515 students · 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 5% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 7.3
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 8.7
- 7
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
174 students · 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 6% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 6.6
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.4
- 8
Richland Elementary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
911 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 7% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 8.1
- Environment
- 8.6
- 9
Leadership Preparatory Charter School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
437 students · 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 9% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 6.7
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 7.9
- 10
Compass Community School Berclair Campus
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
229 students · 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 9% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 5.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.3
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Memphis, Tennessee?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Memphis Stem Academy is the top-rated elementary school in Memphis with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis has 136 elementary schools, including 37 charter schools. Of these, 130 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Memphis?
Among 130 Memphis elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Tennessee).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Tennessee, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Tennessee, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Memphis elementary school rankings?
Memphis has 37 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Memphis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Memphis2026 rankings and ratings
- All 246 schools in MemphisElementary, middle and high
- Tennessee schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings