Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS vs Memphis STEM Academy
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS and Memphis STEM Academy are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.4 out of 10. Memphis STEM Academy is significantly larger with 243 students, about 2.5× the size of Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS (98). In math proficiency, Memphis STEM Academy leads at 34.5%.
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS
Memphis, TN
98 students
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis, TN
243 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.4 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 9.8 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 9.5 |
| State Rank | #11 of 1,785 | #7 of 1,785 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 32.0% | 34.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 17.0% | 15.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 8th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 98 | 243 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 6.1:1 | 13.5:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| City | Memphis | Memphis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Memphis (38126) | Memphis (38127) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $30,825 | $37,768 |
| Median Home Value | $59,000 | $82,500 |
| Median Rent | $794 | $1,104 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 13.8% | 11.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 45.3% | 34.7% |
| Avg Commute | — | 22 min |
The data story: Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS vs Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy edges Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS by 0.1 points overall — 9.5 versus 9.4 out of 10 — but both schools rank in the top 11 of 1,785 Tennessee schools. Memphis STEM Academy holds the stronger statewide position at #7, while Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS sits at #11, placing both institutions among the state's elite performers despite their 7.4-mile separation across Memphis.
Academically, Memphis STEM Academy scores 8.8 out of 10 versus Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS at 8.4 — a 0.4-point gap that reflects a meaningful difference in measured academic proficiency. Growth scores are nearly identical: Memphis STEM Academy posts a 9.9 to Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS's 9.8, meaning both schools are accelerating student learning at exceptional rates relative to statewide peers. The distinction is primarily in baseline academic attainment, not in the trajectory of student progress.
The structural differences between these two schools are significant. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS enrolls just 98 students with a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1 — one of the most intimate learning environments available in public education. Memphis STEM Academy enrolls 243 students at a 13.5:1 ratio, still well below typical public school averages but roughly twice the staff density per student. Ida B. Wells Academy is a regular public school; Memphis STEM Academy operates as a charter, which carries distinct enrollment processes and school culture implications.
Grade configuration separates the two schools meaningfully. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS serves kindergarten through 8th grade, meaning families who enroll in elementary years can stay through middle school without a transition. Memphis STEM Academy covers pre-K through 5th grade only, so families will need to plan for a middle school transition after 5th grade. Memphis STEM Academy's pre-K entry point is an advantage for families seeking earlier enrollment, while Ida B. Wells's K–8 span offers continuity through early adolescence.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS suits families who prioritize an unusually small, intimate school environment — its 6.1:1 student-teacher ratio is extraordinary — and who want to avoid a middle school transition, since it runs K–8 in a regular public school setting. With 98 total students and a #11 state rank, it offers elite academics without the charter application process.
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy fits families who want a STEM-focused charter environment with pre-K access and strong academic scores. At 243 students and a 9.5 overall rating, it offers a larger peer community than Ida B. Wells while remaining a top-7 school statewide — best for families comfortable with a 5th-grade exit and a charter enrollment process.