Average
#1300 of 1,785 schools in TN
American Way Middle
Middle School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
3805 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Memphis
#104 of 199
public schools
Tennessee middle schools
#211 of 338
In district
#110 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
About American Way Middle
American Way Middle, a regular public middle school in Memphis, Tennessee, serves students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 671 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention while fostering academic growth. The campus is situated in a large city setting within Shelby County.
American Way Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks as the 1594th best school among 1796 middle schools in Tennessee, placing it in the 11th percentile statewide. The academic performance scores reflect that the school is focusing on student development across various subjects: ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 9%, Math proficiency at 7%, Science proficiency at 24%, and Social Studies proficiency at 21%. While there are areas for improvement, American Way Middle continues to work diligently to enhance educational outcomes for its diverse student body.
The school is deeply rooted in the heart of Memphis, offering a supportive community environment for students as they navigate middle school life.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at American Way Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
American Way Middle — Students at American Way Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.5/10.
How American Way Middle Compares
See how American Way Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7% (2019) to 11.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 9% (2019) to 12.1% (2025).
Location
3805 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering American Way Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sherwood Middle (rated 4.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oakhaven Middle (rated 3.8/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Getwell Elementary Memphis | 0.2 mi | 5.1 |
| South Park Elementary Memphis | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Parkway Village Elementary Memphis | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Sharpe Elementary Memphis | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Leadership Preparatory Charter School Memphis | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Sheffield High Memphis | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Shrine School Memphis | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Willow Oaks Elementary Memphis | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Sheffield Elementary Memphis | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Sherwood Elementary Memphis | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Sherwood Middle Memphis | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Memphis Virtual School Memphis | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Memphis Virtual Adult High School Memphis | 1.8 mi | — |
| Cherokee Elementary Memphis | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Memphis Merit Academy Memphis | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Overton High Memphis | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Oakhaven High Memphis | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Oakhaven Middle Memphis | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Oakhaven Elementary Memphis | 2.5 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38118 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,464
Median Home Value
$95,700
Median Rent
$1,105/mo
Population
39,162
College Educated
11.8%
Homeownership
37.8%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
32.5%
Median Age
28.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding American Way Middle has a median household income of $42,464. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,700, with a median rent of $1,105/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carpenters Middle School Maryville, TN | 5.2 |
| Charlotte Middle School Charlotte, TN | 5.2 |
| E. A. Cox Middle School Columbia, TN | 5.2 |
| Gibbs Middle School Knoxville, TN | 5.2 |
| Highland Oaks Middle Memphis, TN | 5.2 |
| Delk-Henson Intermediate School Chapel Hill, TN | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about American Way Middle
What grades does American Way Middle serve?
American Way Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend American Way Middle?
American Way Middle has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at American Way Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at American Way Middle is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does American Way Middle rank in TN?
American Way Middle is ranked #1300 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is American Way Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
American Way Middle has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at American Way Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, American Way Middle has 7.0% math proficiency and 8.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is American Way Middle a charter school?
No, American Way Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is American Way Middle a Title I school?
No, American Way Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (9,456/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Memphis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 671
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (901) 416-1250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Memphis-Shelby County Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,057
- Schools in District
- 222
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,695
- District Rank
- #110 of 202
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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