Average
#965 of 1,785 schools in TN
City University School of Liberal Arts
High School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
1475 E. Shelby DR, Memphis, TN 38106
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Memphis
#78 of 199
public schools
Tennessee high schools
#171 of 361
In district
#83 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About City University School of Liberal Arts
City University School of Liberal Arts is a charter high school located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 201 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, ensuring smaller class sizes that can facilitate more individualized attention for each student. The academic performance at City University School of Liberal Arts is currently focusing on areas where there is room for growth.
According to the MySchoolScout Rating, the school scores 2.9 out of 10 and ranks 1596th among 1796 schools in Tennessee, placing it in the 11th percentile. Students at City University School of Liberal Arts have achieved proficiency rates of 17% in ELA/Reading, 9% in Math, 6% in Science, and 25% in Social Studies. While these numbers may seem low compared to state averages, the school is actively working on strategies to improve student outcomes.
City University School of Liberal Arts is situated in a vibrant part of Memphis, surrounded by diverse communities and resources that contribute to its unique educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
City University School of Liberal Arts 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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City University School of Liberal Arts — Students at City University School of Liberal Arts score 15% 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: 3.8/10.
How City University School of Liberal Arts Compares
See how City University School of Liberal Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 13.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 16.1% (2025).
Location
1475 E. Shelby DR, Memphis, TN 38106
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering City University School of Liberal Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Whitehaven High (rated 6.3/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hillcrest High School (rated 3.6/10, 1.1 miles away), 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 Girls Preparatory Memphis | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 38106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$29,818
Median Home Value
$66,400
Median Rent
$915/mo
Population
21,827
College Educated
12.1%
Homeownership
36.4%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
41.5%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding City University School of Liberal Arts has a median household income of $29,818. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $66,400, with a median rent of $915/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Jackson Central-Merry Early College High Jackson, TN | 6.0 |
| Invictus Academy at Airways Memphis, TN | 6.2 |
| Sequoyah High School Soddy Daisy, TN | 6.3 |
| Nashville Big Picture High School Nashville, TN | 6.5 |
| CMCSS Adult High School Clarksville, TN | 5.6 |
| Pickett Co High School Byrdstown, TN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about City University School of Liberal Arts
What grades does City University School of Liberal Arts serve?
City University School of Liberal Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend City University School of Liberal Arts?
City University School of Liberal Arts has an enrollment of approximately 201 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at City University School of Liberal Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at City University School of Liberal Arts is 13.4:1. 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 of Liberal Arts rank in TN?
City University School of Liberal Arts is ranked #965 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is City University School of Liberal Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
City University School of Liberal Arts has a composite rating of 6.1 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 of Liberal Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, City University School of Liberal Arts has 9.4% math proficiency and 16.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is City University School of Liberal Arts a charter school?
Yes, City University School of Liberal Arts 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 of Liberal Arts a Title I school?
No, City University School of Liberal Arts 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 201
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (901) 775-2219
- 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
- #83 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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