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Very Good

#387 of 1,785 schools in TN

Top 22% in state

Maxine Smith Steam Academy

Middle School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

750 East Parkway S, Memphis, TN 38104

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#45 of 199

public schools

Tennessee middle schools

#43 of 338

In district

#47 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Maxine Smith Steam Academy

Maxine Smith STEAM Academy serves 397 middle school students in grades 6-8 in Memphis, Tennessee, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking 128th out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, the academy places in the 93rd percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement across all subject areas, with 88% of students scoring proficient or above in social studies, 84% in science, 74% in English language arts, and 68% in mathematics.

These impressive results reflect the dedicated work of 23 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 17.3 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The academy's STEAM focus integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into the curriculum, preparing students for future academic and career success. This specialized approach appears to be yielding excellent results, as evidenced by the school's exceptional academic performance and high state ranking.

Located at 750 East Parkway South in the 38104 ZIP code area, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $53,351 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive environment for educational excellence in Tennessee's largest city.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.3%
Math vs. State Avg+42.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+38.5 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+54.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

Maxine Smith Steam Academy — Students at Maxine Smith Steam Academy score 80% 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 68.2%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 74.1%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
81.6%
ELA
79.3%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Maxine Smith Steam Academy Compares

See how Maxine Smith Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in TN
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Location

750 East Parkway S, Memphis, TN 38104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Maxine Smith Steam Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Idlewild Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Compass Community School Binghampton Campus (rated 8.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East High (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Middle College High Memphis 0.0 mi 7.1
Exceptional Children Special Placements Memphis 0.5 mi 5.4
Peabody Elementary Memphis 0.7 mi 3.9
LORDS TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Memphis 0.9 mi
Idlewild Elementary Memphis 1.0 mi 8.9
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus Memphis 1.3 mi 8.4
Dunbar Elementary Memphis 1.3 mi 5.0
William Herbert Brewster Elementary School Memphis 1.5 mi 7.5
Compass Community School Midtown Campus Memphis 1.4 mi 7.0
Arrow Academy of Excellence Memphis 1.4 mi 3.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Memphis 1.3 mi 8.0
GRACE-ST LUKES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Memphis 1.4 mi 6.8
Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus Memphis 1.5 mi 7.0
Lester Prep Memphis 1.5 mi 5.2
Melrose High Memphis 1.6 mi 3.2
Bethel Grove Elementary Memphis 1.8 mi 4.2
Rozelle Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 5.2
East High Memphis 1.6 mi 8.4
Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus Memphis 2.0 mi 7.2
Snowden Elementary/Middle Memphis 2.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,452

Median Home Value

$301,100

Median Rent

$1,073/mo

Population

22,925

College Educated

51.9%

Homeownership

39.4%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Maxine Smith Steam Academy has a median household income of $56,452. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,100, with a median rent of $1,073/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Alcoa Middle School Alcoa, TN 7.6
Cascade Middle School Wartrace, TN 7.6
Sunny Hill Intermediate School Brownsville, TN 7.6
Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville, TN 7.5
Brown Intermediate School Sweetwater, TN 7.5
Poplar Grove 5-8 Franklin, TN 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Maxine Smith Steam Academy

What grades does Maxine Smith Steam Academy serve?

Maxine Smith Steam Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Maxine Smith Steam Academy?

Maxine Smith Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Maxine Smith Steam Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Maxine Smith Steam Academy is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Maxine Smith Steam Academy rank in TN?

Maxine Smith Steam Academy is ranked #387 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Maxine Smith Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Maxine Smith Steam Academy has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Maxine Smith Steam Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Maxine Smith Steam Academy has 68.2% math proficiency and 74.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Maxine Smith Steam Academy a charter school?

No, Maxine Smith Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Maxine Smith Steam Academy a Title I school?

No, Maxine Smith Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

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

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
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
#47 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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