Jackson Elementary vs Memphis STEM Academy
Jackson Elementary and Memphis STEM Academy are very closely rated, both scoring around 9.1 out of 10. In math proficiency, Jackson Elementary leads at 37.0%.
Jackson Elementary
Memphis, TN
303 students
Memphis STEM Academy
Memphis, TN
243 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Jackson Elementary | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 9.5 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Environment Score | 9.3 | 9.5 |
| State Rank | #32 of 1,785 | #7 of 1,785 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Jackson Elementary | Memphis STEM Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 37.0% | 34.5% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 22.0% | 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 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| 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.