For the 2026 school year, there are 228 public schools serving 110,973 students in Memphis, TN (there are 81 private schools, serving 16,304 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Memphis, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Memphis, TN are Maxine Smith Steam Academy, Richland Elementary School and Bon Lin Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Memphis, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Memphis have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Memphis, TN (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Maxine Smith Steam Academy
(Math: 72% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
750 E Parkway S
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4536
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5440 Rich Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 416-2148
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 416-2148
Gr: PK-5 | 907 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Bon Lin Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3940 Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 937-2344
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 937-2344
Gr: PK-5 | 708 students Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Idlewild Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1950 Linden Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4566
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4566
Gr: K-5 | 593 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #55.
Bartlett Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3932 Billy Maher Rd
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-2610
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-2610
Gr: PK-5 | 680 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #66.
J. P. Freeman Elementary Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5250 Tulane Rd
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 416-3156
Gr: K-8 | 432 students
Rank: #77.
White Station Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4840 Chickasaw Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-8900
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-8900
Gr: PK-5 | 786 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
White Station Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5465 Mason Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 416-2184
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 416-2184
Gr: 6-8 | 1,127 student Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #99.
Ellendale Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6950 Dawn Hill
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-2636
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-2636
Gr: K-5 | 502 students Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
Shrine School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4259 Forest View Dr
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 416-2400
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 416-2400
Gr: PK-12 | 126 students Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
Rivercrest Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4825 Rivercrest
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-1373
Memphis, TN 38135
(901) 373-1373
Gr: PK-5 | 674 students Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
Altruria Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6641 Deermont Dr
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2600
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 730 students Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1313.
Oak Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3573 Oak Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2646
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2646
Gr: PK-5 | 711 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1414.
Grahamwood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3950 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 416-5952
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 416-5952
Gr: PK-5 | 850 students Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1515.
White Station High School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
514 S Perkins Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-8880
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-8880
Gr: 9-12 | 2,046 students Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Appling Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3700 Appling Rd
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 373-1410
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 373-1410
Gr: 6-8 | 593 students Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Bon Lin Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3862 Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 347-1520
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 347-1520
Gr: 6-8 | 677 students Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
East High School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3206 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 416-6160
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 416-6160
Gr: 9-12 | 583 students Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1919.
Delano Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1716 Delano Ave
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 416-3932
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 416-3932
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students
Rank: #2020.
Middle College High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
750 E Parkway S
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4550
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 416-4550
Gr: 9-12 | 304 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Medical District High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
737 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 416-9698
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 416-9698
Gr: 9-12 | 146 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Oak Forest Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7440 Nonconnah View Cv
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 416-2257
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 416-2257
Gr: PK-5 | 432 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Elmore Park Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6330 Althorne Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2642
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2642
Gr: 6-8 | 777 students Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2424.
Balmoral/ridgeway Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5905 Grosvenor Ave
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 416-2128
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 416-2128
Gr: K-5 | 275 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2525.
Bartlett High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5688 Woodlawn Ave
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2620
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 373-2620
Gr: 9-12 | 2,782 students Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2626.
Memphis Stem Academy
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2180 Frayser Blvd
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 708-3001
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 708-3001
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students
Rank: #2727.
Southwind Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8155 Meadow Vale Dr
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 416-2805
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 416-2805
Gr: PK-5 | 641 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2828.
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4443 S. Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Gr: PK-5 | 183 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2929.
Crosstown High School
Charter School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1365 Tower Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 401-5505
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 401-5505
Gr: 9-12 | 520 students Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #3030.
Hollis F. Price Middle College
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
807 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38126
(901) 435-1765
Memphis, TN 38126
(901) 435-1765
Gr: 9-12 | 96 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3131.
Sea Isle Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5250 Sea Isle Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2104
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2104
Gr: PK-5 | 514 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3232.
Memphis Rise Academy
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5221 Raleigh Lagrange Rd
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 379-5750
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 379-5750
Gr: 6-12 | 753 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3333.
Germanshire Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3965 South Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 416-3733
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 416-3733
Gr: PK-5 | 725 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3434.
Springdale Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
880 N Hollywood St
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-4883
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 416-4883
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3535.
Whitehaven High School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4851 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 416-3000
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 416-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,509 student
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Memphis, TN?
The top-ranked public schools in Memphis, TN include Maxine Smith Steam Academy, Richland Elementary School and Bon Lin Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Memphis?
228 public schools are located in Memphis.
What percentage of students in Memphis go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Memphis are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Memphis?
Memphis public schools minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Memphis are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Memphis include: Raleigh-bartlett Meadows Elementary School vs. Shelby Oaks Elementary School, Cherokee Elementary School vs. Alcy Elementary School, Elmore Park Middle School vs. Appling Middle School
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