The brief
The top-rated high schools in Memphis for 2026 are East High (9.0/10), Crosstown High School (8.5/10), and Memphis Rise Academy (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 43 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Memphis has 43 ranked high schools, and the gap between the top and the middle tells the real story. Crosstown High School leads the metro with a 9.1 out of 10, followed by Medical District High School at 8.6 and East High at 8.4 — a strong upper tier that pulls well ahead of the metro average of 5.4. Only 7 schools, about 16% of the ranked list, clear the 7-point threshold, so identifying which schools consistently perform above that line is worth your time before making any decisions. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the right fit for your student. Crosstown, Medical District, and White Station High represent the clearest standouts, but the full picture is more nuanced — use the data to dig past the top names and compare schools on the factors that matter most to your family.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.0
- 28.5
- 38.1
- 47.9
- 57.0
- 66.9
- 76.0
- 85.7
- 95.7
- 105.3
All 43 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 43
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1East HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 615student-teacher ratio 14.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Crosstown High SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 499student-teacher ratio 13.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Memphis Rise AcademycharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 755student-teacher ratio 12.4:1grades 6th–12th
- 4Medical District High SchoolMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 111student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Compass Community School Midtown CampuscharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 356student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 6White Station HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 1,935student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 7Freedom Prep Middle - BrownleecharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 317student-teacher ratio 21.1:1grades 6th–12th
- 8Whitehaven HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 1,549student-teacher ratio 19.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Middle College HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 333student-teacher ratio 25.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 10Oakhaven HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 373student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Soulsville Charter SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 656student-teacher ratio 11.1:1grades 6th–12th
- 12Memphis Academy of Science Engineering Middle/highcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 696student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 6th–12th
- 13Hollis F. Price Middle CollegeMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 105student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 14Freedom Preparatory Academy FlagshipcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 723student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 6th–12th
- 15Invictus Academy at AirwaysMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 183student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 8th–12th
- 16Memphis School of ExcellencecharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 562student-teacher ratio 15.6:1grades 6th–12th
- 17Power Center Academy High SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 673student-teacher ratio 18.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Hillcrest High SchoolcharterAchievement School Districtstudents 441student-teacher ratio 22.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Mitchell HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 358student-teacher ratio 15.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 20Kipp Memphis Collegiate High SchoolcharterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 361student-teacher ratio 11.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Central HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 1,300student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Raleigh-Egypt HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 733student-teacher ratio 23.6:1grades 6th–12th
- 23B. T. Washington HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 454student-teacher ratio 11.3:1grades 6th–12th
- 24The Excel CenterMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 413student-teacher ratio 41.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 25Ridgeway HighMemphis-Shelby County Schoolsstudents 805student-teacher ratio 18.7:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Tennessee education department. Rankings are relative to all public high 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
East High
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
615 students · 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 4% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 8.1
- 2
Crosstown High School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
499 students · 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 9% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 7.0
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 8.6
- 3
Memphis Rise Academy
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
755 students · 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 15% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 7.1
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 9.9
- 4
Medical District High School
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
111 students · 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 19% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.1
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 9.8
- 5
Compass Community School Midtown Campus
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
356 students · 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 37% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 4.7
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 8.4
- 6
White Station High
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
1,935 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 40% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 8.1
- Growth
- 5.4
- Environment
- 5.5
- 7
Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
317 students · 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 58% in Tennessee · charter
- Academics
- 3.9
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 3.3
- 8
Whitehaven High
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
1,549 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 65% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 7.1
- Growth
- 5.0
- Environment
- 3.0
- 9
Middle College High
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
333 students · 25.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 65% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 1.6
- Environment
- 1.4
- 10
Oakhaven High
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
373 students · 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 73% in Tennessee
- Academics
- 3.7
- Growth
- 4.3
- Environment
- 9.2
Questions
What is the best high school in Memphis, Tennessee?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, East High is the top-rated high school in Memphis with a composite score of 9.0/10. 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 high schools are in Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis has 53 high schools, including 17 charter schools. Of these, 48 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Memphis?
Among 48 Memphis high schools with a composite score, the average is 4.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Tennessee).
How does MySchoolScout rate high 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 high school rankings?
Memphis has 17 charter high 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 elementary schools in Memphis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle 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