Jackson Elementary vs Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy has a higher overall rating of 9.4/10 compared to 7.3/10. In math proficiency, Jackson Elementary leads at 57.0%.
Jackson Elementary
Memphis, TN
303 students
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis, TN
243 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Jackson Elementary | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.3 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 5.8 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| State Rank | #553 of 1,786 | #13 of 1,786 |
| State Percentile | 69th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Jackson Elementary | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 57.0% | 34.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 47.0% | 15.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Jackson Elementary | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 303 | 243 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.8:1 | 13.5:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 15.8% | 19.3% |
| District | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| City | Memphis | Memphis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Memphis (38108) | Memphis (38127) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $35,435 | $37,768 |
| Median Home Value | $62,600 | $82,500 |
| Median Rent | $921 | $1,104 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 34.7% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 22 min |
The data story: Jackson Elementary vs Memphis STEM Academy
Jackson Elementary and Memphis STEM Academy are both highly ranked Memphis elementary schools separated by 4.2 miles, but Memphis STEM Academy holds a meaningful edge in state standing: it ranks #7 of 1,785 Tennessee schools versus Jackson Elementary's #32 — a gap of 25 positions that places Memphis STEM Academy in a rarified tier. Both schools earn overall ratings above 9.0/10, with Memphis STEM Academy scoring 9.5 to Jackson Elementary's 9.1, a 0.4-point difference that reflects consistent performance advantages across multiple scoring categories.
Academically, Memphis STEM Academy leads Jackson Elementary 8.8 to 8.4 on the academic score — a 0.4-point delta that translates to measurable differences in tested proficiency. The growth score gap is even sharper: Memphis STEM Academy posts a 9.9/10 against Jackson Elementary's 9.5/10, meaning students at the charter school are advancing at a pace that outpaces nearly every school in Tennessee. For families prioritizing year-over-year academic progress rather than just baseline proficiency, that 0.4-point growth advantage is a concrete signal.
Jackson Elementary enrolls 303 students compared to Memphis STEM Academy's 243, making it the larger of the two campuses by 60 seats. Student-teacher ratios are close — 13.8:1 at Jackson versus 13.5:1 at Memphis STEM Academy — so neither school holds a clear structural edge in classroom attention. Both schools serve grades PK through 05, meaning families with kids at any elementary age can enroll at either without a grade-range mismatch.
The most consequential structural difference is school type: Jackson Elementary is a traditional public school, feeding into the standard Shelby County assignment system, while Memphis STEM Academy is a charter school requiring an active enrollment application. Memphis STEM Academy's STEM-focused mission shapes its program identity in ways a traditional neighborhood school does not, which matters for families who want a defined academic theme baked into daily instruction from prekindergarten onward.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Jackson Elementary
Jackson Elementary suits families already assigned to its attendance zone who want a top-32 Tennessee school without navigating charter lottery paperwork. At 303 students and a 13.8:1 ratio, it offers strong academics inside the traditional district structure — the right call for parents who prefer predictable enrollment and proximity over a specialized STEM identity.
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis STEM Academy is the better fit for families willing to apply through a charter process in exchange for a #7 statewide ranking and a 9.9/10 growth score. The school's defined STEM focus and smaller 243-student enrollment appeal to parents who want a mission-driven environment and evidence that students are advancing faster than their peers across Tennessee.