J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle vs Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy has a higher overall rating of 9.5/10 compared to 8.8/10. J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle is significantly larger with 493 students, about 2.0× the size of Memphis STEM Academy (243). In math proficiency, J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle leads at 70.0%.
J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle
Memphis, TN
493 students
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis, TN
243 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.7 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 8.4 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| State Rank | #73 of 1,785 | #7 of 1,785 |
| State Percentile | 96th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 70.0% | 34.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 48.0% | 15.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 8th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 493 | 243 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 14.9:1 | 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 (38109) | Memphis (38127) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $36,934 | $37,768 |
| Median Home Value | $76,600 | $82,500 |
| Median Rent | $1,000 | $1,104 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 31.6% | 34.7% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 22 min |
The data story: J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle vs Memphis STEM Academy
J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle and Memphis STEM Academy are both Memphis public schools sitting 15.1 miles apart, but their overall ratings tell different stories. Memphis STEM Academy earns a 9.5 out of 10 overall — placing it #7 of 1,785 schools statewide in Tennessee. J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle scores 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #73 of 1,785. That 0.7-point gap and 66-rank difference reflect a school in the state's top 0.4% versus one in the top 4%, both genuinely strong by any national measure.
The academic and growth scores run in opposite directions, which matters for how each school serves different kids. J. P. Freeman carries a 9.7 out of 10 academic score versus Memphis STEM Academy's 8.8 — a meaningful 0.9-point edge in current proficiency. Memphis STEM Academy counters with a 9.9 out of 10 growth score against J. P. Freeman's 8.4, a 1.5-point advantage that signals students at Memphis STEM Academy are accelerating at an exceptional rate relative to their starting points, regardless of where proficiency stands today.
Memphis STEM Academy enrolls 243 students across pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, while J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle serves 493 students through eighth grade. That size difference shapes the environment considerably: a smaller school with a lower student-teacher ratio of 13.5 to 1 at Memphis STEM Academy compared to 14.9 to 1 at J. P. Freeman. Families choosing between them are also choosing between a charter model and a traditional public school, with all the differences in governance, enrollment process, and programmatic autonomy those distinctions carry.
Grade range is a practical fork in the road. Memphis STEM Academy's PK–05 structure means families must plan for a middle school transition after fifth grade. J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle runs kindergarten through eighth grade, giving students a single-building path through early adolescence without a school change. The STEM-focused curriculum at Memphis STEM Academy is concentrated at the elementary level, while J. P. Freeman's span covers the full pre-high-school arc under one roof.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle
J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle suits families who want a single school for kindergarten through eighth grade — no mid-journey transition — paired with the highest academic proficiency score of the two schools. Its 9.7 academic rating and top-4% state rank make it a strong choice for parents prioritizing demonstrated current performance in a traditional public setting with a larger community of peers.
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy fits families who want the state's #7-ranked school, a STEM-focused environment, and exceptional student growth — especially for younger children entering in pre-K or kindergarten. The 9.9 growth score signals that students outpace expectations year over year. Parents should plan for a separate middle school after fifth grade and be prepared to navigate charter enrollment requirements.