Charter middle schools in Memphis: What are this year's top rated and most improved?

Charter middle schools in Memphis: What are this year's top rated and most improved?Photo: iStock
Hoodline
Published on August 27, 2019

How strong are the charter middle schools in Memphis?

With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.

Memphis Business Academy Middle School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Memphis, rising from a C- to a C, according to data from Niche.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 3306 Overton Crossing, enrolls 378 students. Memphis Business Academy Middle School serves a diverse population: 83% of students identify as black and 15% identify as Hispanic. Niche graded the school a C for academics (on an A-D scale).

The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.

Academically, 16% of Memphis Business Academy Middle School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 15% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 11% in math and 11% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 69% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Gordon Science & Arts Academy saw its overall rating go from a D to a D+. The school is located at 659 N. Manassas St. and currently serves 312 students.

Niche graded Gordon Science & Arts Academy a C- for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 7%, and reading proficiency was 12%. It also serves a less-affluent population, with 78% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School also saw improvement in its overall rating, from D+ to C-. The school is located at 2110 Howell and has 265 students currently enrolled.

Niche graded KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School a C- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 12%, and reading proficiency was 7%. The school has 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

While some charter middle schools in Memphis are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, includingMemphis Rise Academy, with an overall rating of B-.

Want more of the latest intel on Memphis schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's charter elementary schools.


This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.