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Needs Improvement

#1757 of 1,786 schools in TN

Kirby High

High School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

4080 Kirby Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38115

Enrollment

697

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

2.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,757 of 1,786

In Memphis

#187 of 199

public schools

In district

#192 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

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Kirby High

2.8/10

High School in Memphis · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kirby Middle School

4.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bluff City High School

2.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kirby High

Kirby High is a public high school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Kirby High serves approximately 697 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Kirby High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,757 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Kirby High show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

59% of students at Kirby High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-3.14 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.8% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.3% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-33.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate72%
AP Participation7.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,695
Chronic Absenteeism59.4%

Kirby High — Students at Kirby High score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.2% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 16.5% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 21 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
62%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
69%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
2%
ELA
14%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
6%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
6%
2025
Math
5.8%
ELA
16.3%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Kirby High Compares

See how Kirby High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in TN
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
10
4 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
7.2% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics10sports offered
4 boys'·6 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4080 Kirby Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kirby High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus (rated 9.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Forest Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Kirby Middle School Memphis 0.3 mi 4.2
Bluff City High School Memphis 0.4 mi 2.0
Hickory Ridge Middle Memphis 0.6 mi 3.5
Crump Elementary Memphis 1.0 mi 4.7
Winridge Elementary Memphis 1.1 mi 8.5
Journey East Academy Memphis 1.1 mi 7.7
Hickory Ridge Elementary Memphis 1.1 mi 7.0
Germanshire Elementary Germantown 1.1 mi 4.5
Ridgeway Early Learning Center Memphis 1.3 mi 4.8
Ross Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 6.7
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School Memphis 1.5 mi 9.0
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School Memphis 1.5 mi 4.5
Belle Forest Community School Memphis 1.9 mi 4.0
SENSATIONAL ENLIGHTMENT Memphis 1.9 mi 7.4
Newberry Elementary Memphis 2.1 mi 7.7
Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Memphis 2.1 mi 3.4
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus Memphis 2.2 mi 9.4
Power Center Academy Middle Memphis 2.2 mi 3.4
Oak Forest Elementary Memphis 2.4 mi 8.6
Power Center Academy Elementary School Memphis 2.3 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,931

Median Home Value

$129,700

Median Rent

$1,129/mo

Population

36,878

College Educated

14.3%

Homeownership

23%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

19.5%

Median Age

29.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Martin Luther King Preparatory High School Memphis, TN 2.8
Maplewood High Nashville, TN 2.7
Sheffield High Memphis, TN 3.0
Wooddale High Memphis, TN 3.0
Hamilton High Memphis, TN 2.5
Melrose High Memphis, TN 2.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kirby High

What grades does Kirby High serve?

Kirby High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Kirby High?

Kirby High has an enrollment of approximately 697 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kirby High?

The student-teacher ratio at Kirby High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kirby High rank in TN?

Kirby High ranks #1,757 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Kirby High's MySchoolScout rating?

Kirby High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kirby High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kirby High has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is Kirby High a charter school?

No, Kirby High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kirby High a Title I school?

No, Kirby High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
697
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.4%
4-Year Graduation
72.0%

District

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

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