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Average

#1303 of 1,785 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

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#107 of 199

public schools

Tennessee middle schools

#213 of 338

In district

#6 of 9

Tennessee Public Charter School Commission

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Lester Prep

Lester Prep stands out as a high-performing charter middle school serving 219 students in grades 6-8 in Memphis. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 37th out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, Lester Prep places in the 98th percentile statewide, making it one of Tennessee's top middle schools. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.5 to 1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

As a charter school, Lester Prep operates with additional flexibility in curriculum and teaching approaches while serving the public school mission. Located on Carpenter Street in Memphis's 38112 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $49,560 and median home values are $179,100. The surrounding neighborhood has a college education rate of 39 percent, with nearly 30 percent of residents living below the poverty line, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic character of many urban Memphis areas.

Lester Prep's exceptional statewide ranking demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence within Memphis's large urban educational landscape, providing families with a high-quality middle school option in the heart of Tennessee's second-largest city.

What Parents Should Know

Lester Prep 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics1.9Significantly Below Average58%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.4%
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.4 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional42%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,069

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

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.6%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 7.4%
School
State
40.8%

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
5.2/10
27th percentile in TN
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

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 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Treadwell Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 7.0
William Herbert Brewster Elementary School Memphis 0.6 mi 7.5
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus Memphis 0.7 mi 8.4
East High Memphis 0.8 mi 8.4
Exceptional Children Special Placements Memphis 1.0 mi 5.4
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 4.9
Middle College High Memphis 1.5 mi 7.1
Maxine Smith STEAM Academy Memphis 1.5 mi 7.6
BRINKLEY HEIGHTS URBAN ACADEMY Memphis 1.7 mi 6.4
Treadwell Middle School Memphis 1.6 mi 3.6
Treadwell Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 4.4
Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis 1.9 mi 3.7
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 8.9
Promise Academy Memphis 2.3 mi 6.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lester Prep has a median household income of $52,639. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,900, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Margaret Allen Middle Nashville, TN 5.1
Surgoinsville Middle School Surgoinsville, TN 5.1
Veritas College Preparatory Memphis, TN 5.1
Chilhowee Middle School Benton, TN 5.0
Howard Connect Academy Chattanooga, TN 5.0
Two Rivers Middle Nashville, TN 5.4

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 is ranked #1303 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Lester Prep's MySchoolScout rating?

Lester Prep has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Lester Prep?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lester Prep has 11.6% math proficiency and 7.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (9,456/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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