Idlewild Elementary vs Memphis STEM Academy

Memphis STEM Academy holds a 9.5/10 overall rating versus Idlewild Elementary's 8.9/10 — a 0.6-point gap that carries real weight at the top of Tennessee's school rankings. Memphis STEM Academy sits at #7 of 1,785 Tennessee elementary schools; Idlewild Elementary ranks #57 of 1,785. Both schools land in the top 4 percent statewide, an uncommon achievement for any city, but the 50-position gap between them is substantial when benchmarked against the full field. Parents comparing these two Memphis schools are choosing between a top-60 school and a top-10 school.

The scores split sharply by dimension. Idlewild Elementary scores 9.7/10 on academics against Memphis STEM Academy's 8.8/10 — a 0.9-point advantage for Idlewild on current proficiency. Memphis STEM Academy closes that gap and then some on growth, earning 9.9/10 compared to Idlewild Elementary's 9.0/10. That near-full-point growth edge is what drives Memphis STEM Academy's higher overall ranking despite the lower academic score. Families are effectively choosing between a school where students score higher today and one where students are advancing at an exceptional rate.

Enrollment and classroom size tell a clear structural story. Idlewild Elementary serves 588 students; Memphis STEM Academy serves 243 — less than half the size. That difference shows up in daily instruction: Memphis STEM Academy's student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 compares to Idlewild Elementary's 15.9:1, meaning the average Memphis STEM Academy classroom has roughly 2.4 fewer students per teacher. For families who prioritize individualized attention and a smaller-school environment, Memphis STEM Academy's numbers present a concrete advantage on both counts.

The two schools also differ in structure and entry point. Idlewild Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade within Memphis-Shelby County Schools' attendance zone system. Memphis STEM Academy is a charter school that opens enrollment one year earlier — pre-K through fifth grade — giving families the option to start before standard kindergarten entry. Charter enrollment runs independently of residential zoning, so families across Memphis can apply to Memphis STEM Academy regardless of home address.