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Excellent

#11 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 1% in state

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms

Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

995 S Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126

Enrollment

98

Student-Teacher

6.1:1

Score

9.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#3 of 199

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#10 of 1,002

In district

#3 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms

Ida B. Wells Academy ES/MS is a regular public school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. With 98 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.1 to 1, the school delivers close, individualized attention across every grade level.

The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional on MySchoolScout. Its academic score stands at 8.4, while its growth score reaches 9.8 — meaning students here gain ground faster than nearly every school in the state. Ida B.

Wells Academy ranks 11th out of 1,785 public schools in Tennessee, outperforming 99% of all Tennessee schools. Among elementary schools specifically, it places 10th out of 1,002 statewide. In Memphis, the competition is tight and the results still stand out.

The school ranks 3rd out of 199 Memphis schools, making it one of the strongest public options in the city regardless of grade configuration. Families comparing schools in the Memphis metro will find few public options that match this combination of strong academics and exceptional student growth in a small, focused setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 98 students, Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.6%
Math vs. State Avg+3.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms — Students at Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms score 45% proficient, which is above 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 27.5%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
42.9%
ELA
47.6%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms Compares

See how Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.4/10
99th percentile in TN
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

995 S Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cummings Elementary/Middle (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Bruce Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Larose Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Larose Elementary Memphis 0.3 mi 5.3
B. T. Washington High Memphis 0.6 mi 4.5
Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis 0.6 mi 6.4
A. B. Hill Elementary Memphis 0.8 mi 3.3
Soulsville Charter School Memphis 0.7 mi 5.3
Memphis Delta Preparatory Memphis 0.9 mi 4.7
Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis 0.9 mi 7.2
Circles Of Success Learning Academy Memphis 1.0 mi 3.7
Medical District High School Memphis 1.3 mi 8.6
Downtown Elementary Memphis 1.7 mi 3.9
Memphis Scholars Florida Kansas Memphis 1.4 mi 1.3
Memphis Scholars Raleigh-Egypt Memphis 1.4 mi 3.2
Bruce Elementary Memphis 1.5 mi 5.5
Bellevue Middle Memphis 1.5 mi 3.9
Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School Memphis 1.9 mi 8.2
Carver College and Career Academy Memphis 1.7 mi
Central High Memphis 1.7 mi 5.2
CREATIVE LIFE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Memphis 1.7 mi
Hamilton School Memphis 1.8 mi 4.7
1ST CLASS MONTESSORI Memphis 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$30,825

Median Home Value

$59,000

Median Rent

$794/mo

Population

5,723

College Educated

13.8%

Homeownership

15.6%

Poverty Rate

45.3%

Median Age

28.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms has a median household income of $30,825. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $59,000, with a median rent of $794/month. The area has a poverty rate of 45.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Gap Creek Elementary Knoxville, TN 9.4
Oakmont Elementary Cottontown, TN 9.4
White Oak Elementary Duff, TN 9.6
Forge Ridge School Harrogate, TN 8.8
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Memphis, TN 8.4
Jacks Creek Elementary Jacks Creek, TN 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms

What grades does Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms serve?

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms?

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms?

The student-teacher ratio at Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms rank in TN?

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms is ranked #11 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms's MySchoolScout rating?

Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms has 27.5% math proficiency and 24.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms a charter school?

No, Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms a Title I school?

No, Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (9,456/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Memphis). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms stack up?

Memphis STEM Academy
9.5
Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary
9.4
Wells Station Elementary
9.3
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
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
#3 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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