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Needs Improvement

#1713 of 1,786 schools in TN

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary

Elementary School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

4450 S Mendenhall RD, Memphis, TN 38141

Charter

Enrollment

402

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,713 of 1,786

In Memphis

#175 of 199

public schools

In district

#181 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

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Memphis School of Excellence Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Memphis · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Crump Elementary

4.7/10

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

Hickory Ridge Elementary

7.0/10

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

About Memphis School of Excellence Elementary

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is a public elementary school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Memphis School of Excellence Elementary serves approximately 402 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,713 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Memphis School of Excellence Elementary show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.0
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary 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.

34% of students at Memphis School of Excellence Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.7% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.2% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,695
Chronic Absenteeism34.1%

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary — Students at Memphis School of Excellence Elementary score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 18.7% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 12.6% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 13 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
7.7%
ELA
11.1%
2025
Math
15.7%
ELA
15.2%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Compares

See how Memphis School of Excellence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
4th percentile in TN
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.1%

Location

4450 S Mendenhall RD, Memphis, TN 38141

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Memphis School of Excellence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus (rated 9.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winridge Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Power Center Academy Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Crump Elementary Memphis 1.2 mi 4.7
Hickory Ridge Elementary Memphis 1.4 mi 7.0
Power Center Academy Middle Memphis 1.6 mi 3.4
Cromwell Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 6.8
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus Memphis 1.7 mi 9.4
Power Center Academy Elementary School Memphis 1.8 mi 8.4
Power Center Academy High School Memphis 1.8 mi 4.7
Newberry Elementary Memphis 1.9 mi 7.7
Memphis School of Excellence Memphis 1.8 mi 4.9
Wooddale Middle School Memphis 2.0 mi 4.9
Hickory Ridge Middle Memphis 1.8 mi 3.5
Wooddale High Memphis 2.2 mi 3.0
Winridge Elementary Memphis 2.2 mi 8.5
Ridgeway Early Learning Center Memphis 2.3 mi 4.8
Kirby High Memphis 2.1 mi 2.8
SENSATIONAL ENLIGHTMENT Memphis 2.5 mi 7.4
Fox Meadows Elementary Memphis 2.8 mi 6.6
Kirby Middle School Memphis 2.4 mi 4.2
Cornerstone Prep School Memphis 2.9 mi 7.0
Belle Forest Community School Memphis 2.8 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38141 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,050

Median Home Value

$146,100

Median Rent

$1,389/mo

Population

23,768

College Educated

16.6%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

32.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sherwood Elementary Memphis, TN 3.4
Cumberland Elementary Nashville, TN 3.3
Georgian Hills Elementary Memphis, TN 3.5
Jones Elementary Nashville, TN 3.3
Oakshire Elementary Memphis, TN 3.5
Whitney Elementary Memphis, TN 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Memphis School of Excellence Elementary

What grades does Memphis School of Excellence Elementary serve?

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Memphis School of Excellence Elementary?

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Memphis School of Excellence Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Memphis School of Excellence Elementary rank in TN?

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary ranks #1,713 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Memphis School of Excellence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 School of Excellence Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

Is Memphis School of Excellence Elementary a charter school?

Yes, Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Memphis School of Excellence Elementary a Title I school?

No, Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.1%

District

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

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