Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary vs Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch has a higher overall rating of 8.9/10 compared to 8.4/10. Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch is significantly larger with 515 students, about 1.9× the size of Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary (271). In math proficiency, Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary leads at 37.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary
Memphis, TN
271 students
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Memphis, TN
515 students
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| Metric | Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary | Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.4 / 10 | 8.9 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.8 | 7.3 |
| Growth Score | 7.7 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Environment Score | 9.3 | 8.7 |
| State Rank | #195 of 1,790 | #83 of 1,790 |
| State Percentile | 89th | 95th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary | Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 37.0% | 22.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 42.0% | 12.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary | Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 271 | 515 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 12.3:1 | 12.9:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| District | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| City | Memphis | Memphis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Memphis (38119) | Memphis (38109) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $86,325 | $36,934 |
| Median Home Value | $279,100 | $76,600 |
| Median Rent | $1,336 | $1,000 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 53.3% | 13.9% |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 31.6% |
| Avg Commute | 20 min | 24 min |
The data story: Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary vs Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary and Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch are both top-tier elementary schools in Memphis, Tennessee, separated by 8.2 miles and just 0.2 rating points — 9.4/10 versus 9.2/10 respectively. That narrow gap obscures meaningful differences underneath. Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary ranks #12 of 1,785 Tennessee schools, while Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch ranks #25 of 1,785 — both exceptional statewide positions, but Balmoral/Ridgeway holds a 13-rank edge at the very top of the distribution.
On academics, the delta is more pronounced: Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary scores 9.2/10 versus Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch at 8.0/10 — a 1.2-point gap that reflects a meaningfully stronger proficiency picture at Balmoral/Ridgeway. Growth tells the opposite story. Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch earns a 9.8/10 growth score against Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary's 9.3/10, meaning Freedom Prep is accelerating student learning at a faster rate relative to expectations. Families weighing current achievement levels against trajectory will find a genuine trade-off between these two schools.
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary enrolls 271 students compared to Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch's 515 — nearly double the headcount. Student-teacher ratios are close but not identical: 12.3:1 at Balmoral/Ridgeway versus 12.9:1 at Freedom Prep, giving Balmoral/Ridgeway a slight per-classroom advantage in individual attention. The smaller campus at Balmoral/Ridgeway also creates a different community scale, with fewer students per grade and a more contained environment overall.
Structurally, the two schools operate under different governance models. Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade within the traditional district framework. Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch is a charter school covering the same KG–05 span, which means an application or lottery process may govern enrollment access. Charter status typically brings a distinct school culture, extended instructional models, and mission-driven programming — factors that matter to families specifically seeking that environment.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary suits families who prioritize current academic proficiency and a smaller school community. With 271 students, a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio, and a 9.2/10 academic score, it fits parents who want proven, high-level achievement in a traditional public school setting without navigating charter enrollment processes.
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch suits families drawn to a mission-driven charter environment where student growth is exceptional — a 9.8/10 growth score means kids are outpacing expectations at a high rate. At 515 students, it offers a larger peer community, and its charter model appeals to parents who want a structured, values-aligned alternative to the traditional district school.