Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS vs Southwind Elementary
Southwind Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 5.9/10. Southwind Elementary is significantly larger with 661 students, about 6.7× the size of Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS (98). In math proficiency, Southwind Elementary leads at 59.0%.
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS
Memphis, TN
98 students
Southwind Elementary
Memphis, TN
661 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Southwind Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 5.9 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 4.2 | 9.2 |
| Growth Score | 8.2 | 8.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 2.9 | 8.9 |
| State Rank | #1,079 of 1,786 | #66 of 1,786 |
| State Percentile | 40th | 96th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Southwind Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 17.0% | 59.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 22.0% | 51.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS | Southwind Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 8th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 98 | 661 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 6.1:1 | 16.1:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 76.5% | 7.1% |
| District | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| City | Memphis | Memphis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Memphis (38126) | Memphis (38125) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $30,825 | $83,184 |
| Median Home Value | $59,000 | $230,400 |
| Median Rent | $794 | $1,440 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 13.8% | 37.2% |
| Poverty Rate | 45.3% | 11.1% |
| Avg Commute | — | 23 min |
The data story: Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS vs Southwind Elementary
Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS holds a 9.4/10 overall rating against Southwind Elementary's 8.9/10 — a 0.5-point gap that translates to a meaningful difference in state standing. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS ranks #11 of 1,785 schools in Tennessee, placing it in the top 1% statewide. Southwind Elementary ranks #58 of 1,785, which is still an elite position — top 4% in Tennessee — but trails its Memphis counterpart by 47 spots in a competitive field.
The academic picture splits in an interesting direction. Southwind Elementary scores higher on academic proficiency at 9.2/10 versus Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS's 8.4/10 — a gap of 0.8 points favoring Southwind. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS, however, leads on growth at 9.8/10 compared to Southwind Elementary's 9.5/10, suggesting students at Ida B. Wells are gaining ground faster year-over-year even if their baseline proficiency starts lower. Parents weighing current achievement against trajectory will find a genuine trade-off between the two schools.
The enrollment and staffing contrast is stark. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS serves 98 students with a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1 — among the lowest in any public school setting. Southwind Elementary enrolls 661 students at a 16.1:1 ratio, which is more typical of a standard elementary school. That 10-point ratio difference means Ida B. Wells students receive substantially more individual teacher attention on a daily basis, while Southwind offers a broader peer community and the social breadth that comes with a larger campus.
Grade configuration separates the schools practically as well. Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS spans kindergarten through 8th grade, meaning families who enroll in elementary school can stay through middle school without a transition. Southwind Elementary covers pre-K through 5th grade only, so Southwind families will need to find a separate middle school placement after 5th grade. The 15.7 miles between the two schools makes them a cross-city comparison — logistics and commute are real factors for Memphis families weighing which to choose.
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 intimate, low-ratio learning environment and want a single school to carry their child from kindergarten through 8th grade without a mid-stream transition. With only 98 students and a 6.1:1 student-teacher ratio, it fits parents who value individualized attention over a large peer group.
Southwind Elementary
Southwind Elementary fits families who want stronger current academic proficiency scores (9.2/10) and a larger, more socially varied school community. With 661 students and pre-K access, it suits parents seeking early enrollment options and a campus with the programming and peer diversity that comes with scale, accepting that a middle school switch will come after 5th grade.