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Average

#856 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 48% in state

City University School Girls Preparatory

Middle School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

1475 East Shelby DR, Memphis, TN 38116

Charter

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#70 of 199

public schools

Tennessee middle schools

#116 of 338

In district

#74 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About City University School Girls Preparatory

City University School Girls Preparatory serves 100 middle school students in grades 6-8 in Memphis, offering a focused educational environment with a favorable 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. This public charter school operates with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, providing personalized attention that supports student development during these crucial middle school years. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #278 out of 1,796 Tennessee schools and placing in the 85th percentile statewide.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10, City University School Girls Preparatory demonstrates solid educational outcomes for its students. As a charter school, it has the flexibility to implement specialized programs and teaching approaches tailored to its student body's needs. Located on East Shelby Drive in Memphis, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $42,354 and median home values are $115,400.

The surrounding neighborhood in the 38116 zip code is home to over 40,000 residents, with 20% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates within Memphis's large urban setting, providing students access to the educational and cultural resources of Tennessee's second-largest city.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, City University School Girls Preparatory is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at City University School Girls Preparatory 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.

City University School Girls Preparatory is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.4%
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

City University School Girls Preparatory — Students at City University School Girls Preparatory score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 12.9%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 12.1%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 8 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
14.3%
ELA
21.4%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How City University School Girls Preparatory Compares

See how City University School Girls Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in TN
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Location

1475 East Shelby DR, Memphis, TN 38116

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering City University School Girls Preparatory may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. A. Maceo Walker Middle (rated 3.9/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Havenview Middle (rated 2.9/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 2.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Southaven), a more accessible option. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
City University School Of Liberal Arts Memphis 0.0 mi 6.1
City University School of Independence Memphis 0.0 mi
Havenview Middle Memphis 0.7 mi 2.9
Whitehaven Elementary Memphis 0.6 mi 7.7
Whitehaven High Memphis 0.6 mi 6.3
Hillcrest High School Memphis 1.1 mi 3.6
Oakshire Elementary Memphis 1.1 mi 7.7
Holmes Road Elementary Memphis 1.2 mi 4.0
Robert R. Church Elementary Memphis 1.4 mi 3.4
A. Maceo Walker Middle Memphis 1.5 mi 3.9
Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee Memphis 1.5 mi 6.1
Gardenview Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 4.7
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch Memphis 2.0 mi 9.2
J. P. Freeman Elementary/Middle Memphis 1.8 mi 8.8
Westhaven Elementary Memphis 2.0 mi 5.6
Fairley High School Memphis 2.1 mi 3.2
Winchester Elementary Memphis 2.5 mi 4.8
SOUTHAVEN ELEMENTARY Southaven 2.6 mi 5.4
HOPE SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Southaven 2.9 mi 6.0
SOUTHAVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Southaven 3.0 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,663

Median Home Value

$125,800

Median Rent

$1,035/mo

Population

41,393

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

44%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

29.7%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding City University School Girls Preparatory has a median household income of $44,663. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,800, with a median rent of $1,035/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.7%, 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
BODINE SCHOOL Germantown, TN 6.3
Moses McKissack Middle Nashville, TN 5.3
Veritas College Preparatory Memphis, TN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about City University School Girls Preparatory

What grades does City University School Girls Preparatory serve?

City University School Girls Preparatory serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend City University School Girls Preparatory?

City University School Girls Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at City University School Girls Preparatory?

The student-teacher ratio at City University School Girls Preparatory is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does City University School Girls Preparatory rank in TN?

City University School Girls Preparatory is ranked #856 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is City University School Girls Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

City University School Girls Preparatory has a composite rating of 6.4 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 City University School Girls Preparatory?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, City University School Girls Preparatory has 12.9% math proficiency and 12.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is City University School Girls Preparatory a charter school?

Yes, City University School Girls Preparatory is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is City University School Girls Preparatory a Title I school?

No, City University School Girls Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
100
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Memphis-Shelby County Schools
District Enrollment
110,057
Schools in District
222
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,695
District Rank
#74 of 202

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 methodology

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