Very Good
#635 of 1,786 schools in TN
Top 36% in state
Memphis Merit Academy
Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools
4775 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Tennessee schools
#635 of 1,786
In Memphis
#44 of 199
public schools
In district
#45 of 202
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Memphis Merit Academy?
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Memphis Merit Academy
Elementary School in Memphis · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Evans Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Overton High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Memphis Merit Academy
Memphis Merit Academy is a public elementary school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Memphis Merit Academy serves approximately 355 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Memphis Merit Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #635 of 1,786 schools in TN.
Structured state assessment records for Memphis Merit Academy show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.0
- TN avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Memphis Merit Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Memphis Merit Academy 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Memphis Merit Academy — Students at Memphis Merit Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from TN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Memphis Merit Academy Compares
See how Memphis Merit Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
4775 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Memphis Merit Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Leadership Preparatory Charter School (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkway Village Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cornerstone Prep School (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Evans Elementary Memphis | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Overton High Memphis | 0.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Memphis Virtual School Memphis | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Memphis Virtual Adult High School Memphis | 1.0 mi | — |
| Cornerstone Prep School Memphis | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Willow Oaks Elementary Memphis | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Sheffield High Memphis | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Wooddale High Memphis | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Parkway Village Elementary Memphis | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Colonial Middle Memphis | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Shrine School Memphis | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Leadership Preparatory Charter School Memphis | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Wooddale Middle School Memphis | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Sheffield Elementary Memphis | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Memphis School of Excellence Memphis | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Fox Meadows Elementary Memphis | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Sea Isle Elementary Memphis | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Cromwell Elementary Memphis | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Power Center Academy High School Memphis | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| South Park Elementary Memphis | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38118 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,464
Median Home Value
$95,700
Median Rent
$1,105/mo
Population
39,162
College Educated
11.8%
Homeownership
37.8%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
32.5%
Median Age
28.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alpine Crest Elementary School Chattanooga, TN | 7.1 |
| BRAINERD BAPTIST SCHOOL Chattanooga, TN | 7.1 |
| Centerville Elementary Centerville, TN | 7.1 |
| DuPont Elementary School Chattanooga, TN | 7.1 |
| J. Brown Elementary Columbia, TN | 7.1 |
| Maynardville Elementary Maynardville, TN | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Memphis Merit Academy
What grades does Memphis Merit Academy serve?
Memphis Merit Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Memphis Merit Academy?
Memphis Merit Academy has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Memphis Merit Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Memphis Merit Academy is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Memphis Merit Academy rank in TN?
Memphis Merit Academy ranks #635 of 1,786 schools in TN.
What is Memphis Merit Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Memphis Merit Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Memphis Merit Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Memphis Merit Academy has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).
Is Memphis Merit Academy a charter school?
Yes, Memphis Merit Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Memphis Merit Academy a Title I school?
No, Memphis Merit Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Shelby County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.4%
- Phone
- (901) 617-3690
Resources & Links
District
Memphis-Shelby County Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,057
- Schools in District
- 222
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,695
- District Rank
- #45 of 202
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