Best Schools in Memphis, Tennessee
246 schools · 136 Elementary · 35 Middle · 53 High · 22 Other
Choosing a school in Memphis?
Use this page to compare every school in Memphis by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
University Middle
Middle · Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Memphis Stem Academy
Elementary · Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus
Elementary · Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Memphis for 2026 are University Middle (9.8/10), Memphis Stem Academy (9.3/10), and Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 189 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
246
203 public · 43 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$176,917
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
246
203 public · 43 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$176,917
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Memphis
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 189 rated schools; 246 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Middle | 9.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Memphis Stem Academy | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus | 9.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Wells Station Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 5 | East High | 9.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Idlewild Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Southwind Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch | 8.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Richland Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $57,428
- Median home value
- $176,917
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
24% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Memphis compares
Tennessee rank
#154 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$57k
89% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
235
Education Snapshot
Memphis, TennesseeMemphis enrolls 108,575 students across 242 schools in 3 districts, with a level distribution of 136 elementary, 53 high, 36 middle, and 17 other or combined. The average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.6/10 across 229 scored schools falls 0.8 points below Tennessee's state average of 6.4/10. The city's median household income of $52,586 sits 26% below the Tennessee state median of $71,041, placing Memphis below the state benchmark on both income and school ratings. Charter schools account for 68 of the 242 schools — about 28% of all schools — adding a substantial school-choice tier to the 3-district public structure. Adult educational attainment stands at 27% bachelor's degree or higher. For parents moving to Memphis, the city's below-state-average composite rating of 5.6/10 and its 68 charter options across 3 districts make school-level comparison especially essential.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools runs 92% of Memphis's public schools
Memphis touches 3 districts, but Memphis-Shelby County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools accounts for 186 of 203 public schools (92%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 17.
Among 189 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 1.7 to 9.8 — the spread is inside Memphis, not a citywide average.
68 of the 203 public schools are charters (33%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Memphis-Shelby County Schools186 public · 92%
- Achievement School District12 public · 6%
- Tennessee Public Charter School Commission5 public · 2%
About Schools in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee has 199 ranked public schools, giving parents a wide field to navigate. The city's average school score is 5.7 out of 10, which sits in the middle of the national range — a signal that quality varies considerably across the metro. Parents who dig past the average will find real range: 62 schools, or 31% of the total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist but require deliberate searching.
At the top of the list, University Middle earns a 9.8 out of 10, the highest score in the city and a mark that places it among the strongest middle schools in the state. Memphis STEM Academy follows at 9.5, offering elementary families a high-performing option with a clear academic focus. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS and Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary both score 9.4, while Wells Station Elementary rounds out the top five at 9.3. Four of the five top-rated schools are elementary campuses, which matters for parents planning ahead — strong early-grades options are available, though the pipeline narrows at the middle school level outside of University Middle.
Shelby County Schools operates the majority of public schools across Memphis, and the district's performance is uneven by neighborhood. The concentration of top-rated schools in certain ZIP codes means location heavily influences which options are realistically accessible without pursuing magnet or charter enrollment. Memphis does have magnet programs, and several high-scoring campuses — including University Middle — draw students citywide through competitive admissions rather than attendance zones alone.
For parents comparing schools, the practical takeaway is this: the city average of 5.7 obscures a split landscape. Roughly one in three schools clears the 7-out-of-10 threshold, so the high performers are not rare, but they are not evenly distributed either. Start with MySchoolScout's ratings filter, cross-check attendance zone boundaries against your address, and identify which high-scoring campuses offer open enrollment or magnet access. Visiting early matters — popular programs fill quickly, and application windows for the next school year often open in the fall.
Elementary Schools
136 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 243 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 254 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.2 |
| 3 | 633 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 4 | 588 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 661 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.9 |
| 6 | 515 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 7 | 174 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 8 | 911 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 |
| 9 | 437 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.6 |
| 10 | 229 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.5 |
Show all 136 elementary schools in Memphis
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
35 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 268 students · 6th–8th | 9.8 |
| 2 | 397 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 1,091 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 349 students · 5th–8th | 7.4 |
| 5 | 100 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 6 | 300 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 7 | 484 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
| 8 | 488 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
| 9 | 502 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
| 10 | 552 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
Show all 35 middle schools in Memphis
High Schools
53 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 615 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 499 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 755 students · 6th–12th | 8.1 |
| 4 | 111 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 356 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 6 | 1,935 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 7 | 317 students · 6th–12th | 6.0 |
| 8 | 1,549 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 9 | 333 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 10 | 373 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Show all 53 high schools in Memphis
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
22 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 141 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | 171 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 333 students · 4th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 711 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 5 | 461 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 6 | 782 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.2 | ||
| 7 | 136 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.5 | ||
Private Schools15 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pleasant View SchoolPrivate 475 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Central Baptist SchoolPrivate 160 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 94 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 22 other schools in Memphis
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee · 246 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 26 ZIP codes
Median Income
$57,428
Median Home Value
$176,917
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
671,041
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Community Profile
Memphis has a median household income of $57,428. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,917, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 136
- Middle
- 35
- High
- 53
- Other
- 22
Resources
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Memphis, Tennessee
How many schools are in Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis has 246 schools, including 203 public and 43 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Memphis, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Memphis is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Memphis, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Memphis on MySchoolScout is University Middle with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Memphis, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Memphis on MySchoolScout is Memphis Stem Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Memphis, Tennessee?
The top-ranked middle school in Memphis on MySchoolScout is University Middle with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best high school in Memphis, Tennessee?
The top-ranked high school in Memphis on MySchoolScout is East High with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis is served by 3 school districts: Achievement School District, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
What is the education level in Memphis, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Memphis have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Memphis, Tennessee?
The median household income in Memphis is approximately $57,428 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Memphis, Tennessee?
Yes, Memphis has 43 private schools alongside 203 public schools. The top-rated private school is Pleasant View School with a score of 9.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Memphis, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Memphis is 17.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Memphis, Tennessee?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.