Cherokee Elementary vs Memphis STEM Academy

Cherokee Elementary and Memphis STEM Academy are both PK–05 public elementary schools in Memphis, Tennessee, but they sit far apart in Tennessee's statewide rankings. Cherokee Elementary ranks #398 of 1,785 Tennessee schools while Memphis STEM Academy ranks #22 of 1,785 — a gap that reflects a meaningful difference in measured school quality despite both schools serving the same grade span and sitting only 8.8 miles apart. Memphis STEM Academy's overall rating of 9.3/10 runs 1.6 points above Cherokee Elementary's 7.7/10, making it one of the top-performing elementary schools in the state.

Academically, Memphis STEM Academy scores 8.8/10 versus Cherokee Elementary's 7.0/10 — an 18-point gap that indicates substantially stronger proficiency outcomes on state assessments. The growth picture narrows considerably: Cherokee Elementary posts a 9.7/10 growth score against Memphis STEM Academy's 9.9/10, a near-negligible difference. Both schools are demonstrably strong at accelerating student learning relative to peers, but Memphis STEM Academy converts that growth into higher absolute proficiency levels.

Cherokee Elementary enrolls 368 students compared to Memphis STEM Academy's 243, giving it a larger campus footprint. Memphis STEM Academy's student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 is tighter than Cherokee Elementary's 15.3:1, which translates to roughly two fewer students per classroom on average — a structural advantage for individual attention. Cherokee Elementary is a traditional district school, while Memphis STEM Academy operates as a charter, meaning enrollment typically requires an application and is not guaranteed by residential address.

Both schools cover PK–05, so grade-level continuity is identical through fifth grade. Memphis STEM Academy's STEM-focused charter model shapes its instructional approach from the earliest grades, while Cherokee Elementary follows standard Memphis-Shelby County Schools curriculum and programming. Families zoned to Cherokee Elementary can enroll without applying; Memphis STEM Academy seats are subject to availability and the charter's admissions process.