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#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

Charter

Enrollment

201

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.1%
Math vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

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%).

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 9.4%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 16.9%
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
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
13.7%
ELA
16.1%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in TN
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

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.

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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
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
#83 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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