Skip to main content

Below Average

#1500 of 1,785 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

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#138 of 199

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#315 of 361

In district

#143 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Southwind High

Southwind High serves 1,622 students in grades 9-12 as a regular public school in Memphis, Tennessee's Shelby County district. With 79 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1, providing a substantial high school environment for its large student body. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1675 out of 1796 Tennessee high schools, placing it in the 7th percentile statewide.

While these rankings indicate significant room for academic growth, Southwind High continues to serve its community as students work toward their educational goals. Located at 7900 E Shelby Dr, the school sits in the 38125 ZIP code area, which demonstrates strong community characteristics. The neighborhood boasts a median household income of $80,116 and median home values of $205,800, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.3% among its 43,305 residents. Southwind High operates in a large suburban setting, serving families in an established Memphis community that values education and maintains solid economic foundations for supporting student success.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southwind High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Southwind High is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.7%
Math vs. State Avg-25.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
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$13,650

Southwind High — Students at Southwind High score 18% 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 6.3%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 19.6%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2%
ELA
19%
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: 7.8/10.

How Southwind High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in TN
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

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. Bluff City High School (rated 5.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kirby High (rated 4.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.4
Power Center Academy Elementary - Southeast Memphis 0.5 mi 7.8
Southwind Elementary Memphis 0.5 mi 8.9
Lowrance Elementary/Middle Memphis 0.9 mi 4.8
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School Memphis 1.3 mi 8.4
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School Memphis 1.3 mi 5.0
Highland Oaks Elementary Memphis 1.5 mi 5.8
Highland Oaks Middle Memphis 2.0 mi 5.2
Germanshire Elementary Germantown 1.9 mi 5.0
Ross Elementary Memphis 2.2 mi 7.7
Oak Forest Elementary Memphis 2.8 mi 8.5
Bluff City High School Memphis 2.4 mi 5.2
Kirby Middle School Memphis 2.5 mi 3.4
Journey East Academy Memphis 2.7 mi 7.9
Kirby High Memphis 2.8 mi 4.9
Germantown Middle Germantown 3.5 mi 4.0
Germantown Elementary Germantown 3.5 mi 6.8
CENTER HILL MIDDLE Olive Branch 3.3 mi 5.5
OVERPARK ELEMENTARY Olive Branch 3.4 mi 4.8
Forest Hill Elementary School Germantown 3.4 mi 9.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwind High has a median household income of $83,184. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,400, with a median rent of $1,440/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Cumberland County High School Crossville, TN 4.7
Northeast High Clarksville, TN 4.4
The Howard School Chattanooga, TN 4.4
Brighton High School Brighton, TN 4.8
Campbell County Comprehensive High School Jacksboro, TN 4.8
Gallatin Senior High School Gallatin, TN 4.8

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 is ranked #1500 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Southwind High's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwind High has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Southwind High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwind High has 6.3% math proficiency and 19.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,622
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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
#143 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.