Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1659 of 1,786 schools in TN

Lester Prep

Middle School · Tennessee Public Charter School Commission

320 Carpenter ST, Memphis, TN 38112

Charter

Enrollment

219

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,659 of 1,786

In Memphis

#159 of 199

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Lester Prep?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Lester Prep

3.8/10

Middle School in Memphis · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus

6.0/10

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

William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

7.8/10

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

About Lester Prep

Lester Prep is a public middle school in Memphis, TN, part of Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. Lester Prep serves approximately 219 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Lester Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,659 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Lester Prep show 12% math proficiency (2025 TCAP) and 7% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 TCAP).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • TN avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Lester Prep is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

46% of students at Lester Prep 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics1.8Needs Improvement58%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.6% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.4% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.4 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-24.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment6.6Average42%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,356
Chronic Absenteeism46.1%

Lester Prep — Students at Lester Prep score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.6% (2025 TCAP)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 7.4% (2025 TCAP)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 4 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

How Lester Prep Compares

See how Lester Prep performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in TN
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

Location

320 Carpenter ST, Memphis, TN 38112

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lester Prep may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. University Middle (rated 9.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maxine Smith STEAM Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Treadwell Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus Memphis 0.0 mi 6.0
William Herbert Brewster Elementary School Memphis 0.6 mi 7.8
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus Memphis 0.7 mi 6.8
East High Memphis 0.8 mi 8.7
Exceptional Children Special Placements Memphis 1.0 mi 3.0
THE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEMPHIS Memphis 1.1 mi 6.4
THE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEMPHIS Memphis 1.1 mi 7.0
LORDS TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis 1.5 mi
Springdale Elementary Memphis 1.4 mi 7.6
Middle College High Memphis 1.5 mi 5.4
Maxine Smith STEAM Academy Memphis 1.5 mi 7.8
BRINKLEY HEIGHTS URBAN ACADEMY Memphis 1.7 mi 6.4
Treadwell Middle School Memphis 1.6 mi 3.3
Treadwell Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 4.7
Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis 1.9 mi 5.7
ST LUKE'S DAY SCHOOL Memphis 1.9 mi
University Middle Memphis 1.9 mi 9.8
University High School Memphis 1.9 mi
Compass Community School Berclair Campus Memphis 1.8 mi 8.8
Promise Academy Memphis 2.3 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,639

Median Home Value

$206,900

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

16,798

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

52.8%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

27.6%

Median Age

32.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Georgian Hills Middle Memphis, TN 3.7
Houston Co Middle School Erin, TN 3.6
Oakhaven Middle Memphis, TN 4.0
Fayetteville Middle School Fayetteville, TN 4.1
Waynesboro Middle School Waynesboro, TN 3.5
Central Middle School Wartburg, TN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lester Prep

What grades does Lester Prep serve?

Lester Prep serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lester Prep?

Lester Prep has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lester Prep?

The student-teacher ratio at Lester Prep is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lester Prep rank in TN?

Lester Prep ranks #1,659 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Lester Prep's MySchoolScout rating?

Lester Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Lester Prep?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lester Prep has 12% math proficiency (2025 TCAP) and 7% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 TCAP).

Is Lester Prep a charter school?

Yes, Lester Prep is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Lester Prep a Title I school?

No, Lester Prep is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.