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
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
6.1:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 47.6% (2025).
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 |
Compare Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareIda B. Wells Academy Es/ms vs Memphis STEM AcademyMemphis, TN Peer score 9.5/10 +0.1 vs Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
- CompareIda B. Wells Academy Es/ms vs Balmoral/Ridgeway ElementaryMemphis, TN Peer score 9.4/10 About even with Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
- CompareIda B. Wells Academy Es/ms vs Wells Station ElementaryMemphis, TN Peer score 9.3/10 -0.1 vs Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
- CompareIda B. Wells Academy Es/ms vs Newberry ElementaryMemphis, TN Peer score 9.2/10 -0.2 vs Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
- CompareIda B. Wells Academy Es/ms vs Freedom Prep Elementary - MillbranchMemphis, TN Peer score 9.2/10 -0.2 vs Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (901) 416-3210
- 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
- #3 of 202
Compare This School
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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