Idlewild Elementary vs Newberry Elementary
Idlewild Elementary has a higher overall rating of 9.0/10 compared to 7.7/10. Idlewild Elementary is significantly larger with 588 students, about 1.6× the size of Newberry Elementary (378). In math proficiency, Idlewild Elementary leads at 57.0%.
Idlewild Elementary
Memphis, TN
588 students
Newberry Elementary
Memphis, TN
378 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Idlewild Elementary | Newberry Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10 | 7.7 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.7 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 8.8 | 7.5 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 8.4 | 6.7 |
| State Rank | #65 of 1,786 | #405 of 1,786 |
| State Percentile | 96th | 77th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Idlewild Elementary | Newberry Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 57.0% | 45.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 55.0% | 40.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Idlewild Elementary | Newberry Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 588 | 378 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 15.9:1 | 15.1:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 12.1% | 28.0% |
| District | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| City | Memphis | Memphis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Memphis (38104) | Memphis (38115) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,452 | $42,931 |
| Median Home Value | $301,100 | $129,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,073 | $1,129 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 51.9% | 14.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 14.1% | 19.5% |
| Avg Commute | 18 min | 20 min |
The data story: Idlewild Elementary vs Newberry Elementary
Idlewild Elementary and Newberry Elementary are both highly rated Memphis elementary schools, but Idlewild Elementary holds a meaningful edge in overall standing: 9.1/10 versus Newberry Elementary's 8.6/10, a 0.5-point gap that translates into a significant difference in statewide rank. Idlewild Elementary ranks #46 of 1,785 Tennessee schools, while Newberry Elementary ranks #130 of 1,785 — both comfortably in the top 10%, but Idlewild Elementary sits in the top 3%.
The academic picture sharpens that edge. Idlewild Elementary scores 9.7/10 on academics against Newberry Elementary's 8.8/10 — a nine-tenths-of-a-point gap indicating consistently stronger tested proficiency outcomes. The growth story flips, however: Newberry Elementary earns a 9.7/10 growth score compared to Idlewild Elementary's 9.0/10, meaning students at Newberry Elementary are gaining ground relative to their starting points at a faster rate. Families weighing raw achievement levels will lean toward Idlewild Elementary; families prioritizing year-over-year learning velocity will find Newberry Elementary compelling.
Idlewild Elementary is the larger school, enrolling 588 students versus Newberry Elementary's 378. Student-teacher ratios are close — 15.9:1 at Idlewild Elementary and 15.1:1 at Newberry Elementary — so class sizes are comparable despite the enrollment difference. Neither school serves an unusually large or small population for a Memphis urban elementary, but families who prefer a tighter-knit campus environment will find Newberry Elementary's smaller scale more appealing.
One structural distinction matters for families with younger children: Newberry Elementary serves PreK through 5th grade, while Idlewild Elementary begins at Kindergarten. Parents seeking a single-campus PreK experience — avoiding a mid-year or mid-enrollment transition — will find Newberry Elementary the practical choice. The two schools sit 8.7 miles apart, making the commute a real factor for Memphis families evaluating both options.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Idlewild Elementary
Idlewild Elementary suits families whose top priority is demonstrated academic achievement. Its 9.7/10 academic score and #46 statewide rank make it the right call for parents who want their child in a school with a consistently strong tested-proficiency track record in Memphis, and who are enrolling a Kindergarten-age or older child.
Newberry Elementary
Newberry Elementary fits families with a PreK-age child who want to stay on one campus through 5th grade, and those who prioritize rapid learning growth over raw proficiency levels. Its 9.7/10 growth score — highest of the two — signals a school that moves students forward aggressively from wherever they start, in a smaller, more intimate 378-student setting.