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Needs Improvement

#1711 of 1,786 schools in TN

Southwind High

High School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

7900 E Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38125

Enrollment

1,622

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,711 of 1,786

In Memphis

#173 of 199

public schools

In district

#179 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

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Southwind High

3.4/10

High School in Memphis · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Power Center Academy Middle - Southeast

5.1/10

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

Power Center Academy Elementary - Southeast

7.8/10

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

About Southwind High

Southwind High is a public high school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Southwind High serves approximately 1,622 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwind High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,711 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Southwind High show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Southwind High runs 20.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-3 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.7% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-25.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%
AP Participation4.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,695
Chronic Absenteeism25.6%

Southwind High — Students at Southwind High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 16.1% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 25.8% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 21 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
59%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
2%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
0.5%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
14%
ELA
22.7%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Southwind High Compares

See how Southwind High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
4th percentile in TN
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
11
4 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
79 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
4.9% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
4 boys'·7 girls'·11 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7900 E Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwind High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kirby High (rated 2.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bluff City High School (rated 2.0/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Power Center Academy Middle - Southeast Memphis 0.5 mi 5.1
Power Center Academy Elementary - Southeast Memphis 0.5 mi 7.8
Southwind Elementary Memphis 0.5 mi 9.0
Lowrance Elementary/Middle Memphis 0.9 mi 4.1
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School Memphis 1.3 mi 9.0
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School Memphis 1.3 mi 4.5
Highland Oaks Elementary Memphis 1.5 mi 6.5
Highland Oaks Middle Memphis 2.0 mi 4.6
Germanshire Elementary Germantown 1.9 mi 4.5
Ross Elementary Memphis 2.2 mi 6.7
Oak Forest Elementary Memphis 2.8 mi 8.6
Bluff City High School Memphis 2.4 mi 2.0
Kirby Middle School Memphis 2.5 mi 4.2
Journey East Academy Memphis 2.7 mi 7.7
Kirby High Memphis 2.8 mi 2.8
Germantown Middle Germantown 3.5 mi 5.0
Germantown Elementary Germantown 3.5 mi 6.1
CENTER HILL MIDDLE Olive Branch 3.3 mi 4.5
OVERPARK ELEMENTARY Olive Branch 3.4 mi 5.5
Forest Hill Elementary School Germantown 3.4 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,184

Median Home Value

$230,400

Median Rent

$1,440/mo

Population

42,793

College Educated

37.2%

Homeownership

52%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

33.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kenwood High Clarksville, TN 3.4
The Howard School Chattanooga, TN 3.6
John Overton High Nashville, TN 3.7
Antioch High School Antioch, TN 3.8
Northeast High Clarksville, TN 3.8
Overton High Memphis, TN 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwind High

What grades does Southwind High serve?

Southwind High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southwind High?

Southwind High has an enrollment of approximately 1,622 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwind High?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwind High is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwind High rank in TN?

Southwind High ranks #1,711 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Southwind High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwind High 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 Southwind High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwind High has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is Southwind High a charter school?

No, Southwind High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwind High a Title I school?

No, Southwind High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,622
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.6%
4-Year Graduation
80.0%

District

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

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