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Needs Improvement

#1714 of 1,785 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

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#178 of 199

public schools

Tennessee elementary schools

#962 of 1,002

In district

#185 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Memphis School of Excellence Elementary

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is a charter school located in Memphis, Tennessee, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 402 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners. The dedicated faculty includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers committed to helping their students grow academically and socially.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.6 out of 10, reflecting room for academic growth based on state rankings where Memphis School of Excellence Elementary stands at #1670 out of 1796 schools in Tennessee (7th percentile). In terms of standardized test performance, students show proficiency levels of 13% in ELA/Reading and 20% in Math across all grade levels. Science scores are slightly higher with 29% proficient or above.

While the academic metrics suggest areas for improvement, the school is focused on student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment within its urban setting. Memphis School of Excellence Elementary is situated in a bustling city where students have access to diverse cultural experiences and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.2%
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

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 →

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 20.1%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 13.2%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 7 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 1.8/10.

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
3.5/10
4th percentile in TN
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

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 9.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newberry Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Power Center Academy Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 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 5.4
Hickory Ridge Elementary Memphis 1.4 mi 5.6
Power Center Academy Middle Memphis 1.6 mi 4.5
Cromwell Elementary Memphis 1.6 mi 5.0
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus Memphis 1.7 mi 9.2
Power Center Academy Elementary School Memphis 1.8 mi 8.7
Power Center Academy High School Memphis 1.8 mi 7.3
Newberry Elementary Memphis 1.9 mi 9.2
Memphis School of Excellence Memphis 1.8 mi 4.4
Wooddale Middle School Memphis 2.0 mi 3.6
Hickory Ridge Middle Memphis 1.8 mi 3.9
Wooddale High Memphis 2.2 mi 4.1
Winridge Elementary Memphis 2.2 mi 8.6
Ridgeway Early Learning Center Memphis 2.3 mi 7.4
Kirby High Memphis 2.1 mi 4.9
SENSATIONAL ENLIGHTMENT Memphis 2.5 mi 7.4
Fox Meadows Elementary Memphis 2.8 mi 6.4
Kirby Middle School Memphis 2.4 mi 3.4
Cornerstone Prep School Memphis 2.9 mi 7.0
Belle Forest Community School Memphis 2.8 mi 4.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has a median household income of $64,050. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,100, with a median rent of $1,389/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Believe Memphis Academy Charter School Memphis, TN 3.5
Scotts Hill Elementary Scotts Hill, TN 3.5
Arnold Memorial Elementary Cleveland, TN 3.6
East Elementary School Humboldt, TN 3.6
Ft Sanders Education Development Center Knoxville, TN 3.6
Montessori Elementary at Highland Park Chattanooga, TN 3.4

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 is ranked #1714 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

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

Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Memphis School of Excellence Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Memphis School of Excellence Elementary has 20.1% math proficiency and 13.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (9,456/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Memphis-Shelby County Schools
District Enrollment
110,057
Schools in District
222
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,695
District Rank
#185 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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