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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 64 public charter schools serving 26,379 students in Shelby County, TN.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Shelby County, TN are Memphis Stem Academy, Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School and Crosstown High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, TN public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Tennessee public charter school average of 21%), and reading proficiency score of 15% (versus the 23% statewide average). Charter schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public charter school average of 90% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Shelby County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Memphis Stem Academy
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2180 Frayser Blvd
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 708-3001
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students
Rank: #22.
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4443 S. Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Gr: PK-5 | 183 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Crosstown High School
Charter School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1365 Tower Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 401-5505
Gr: 9-12 | 520 students Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #44.
Memphis Rise Academy
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5221 Raleigh Lagrange Rd
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 379-5750
Gr: 6-12 | 753 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Memphis Business Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1082 Berclair
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 591-7267
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
Journey East Academy
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6870 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 567-7086
Gr: K-8 | 376 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Compass Community School Hickory Hill Campus
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3572 Emerald
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 546-9926
Gr: K-8 | 241 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2221 Democrat Rd
Memphis, TN 38132
(901) 743-7335
Gr: K-5 | 302 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Compass Community School Midtown Campus
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
61 N. Mclean Blvd
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 276-1221
Gr: 9-12 | 373 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Memphis School Of Excellence Cordova
Charter School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8360 Macon Rd
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 421-6825
Gr: 6-12 | 448 students Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Memphis School Of Excellence Elementary Cordova
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8350 Macon Rd
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 707-8146
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Aurora Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4841 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 249-4615
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Leadership Preparatory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4190 Elliston Rd
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 512-4495
Gr: K-8 | 462 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2718 Lamar Ave
Memphis, TN 38114
(901) 743-6700
Gr: K-8 | 203 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch
Charter School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3750 Millbranch Rd
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 538-9500
Gr: K-5 | 495 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Power Center Academy Elementary - Southeast
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8146 E Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 602-5530
Gr: K-5 | 423 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Arrow Academy Of Excellence
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
645 Semmes St
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 207-1891
Gr: K-5 | 76 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1818.
Circles Of Success Learning Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
867 South Parkway East
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 322-7978
Gr: K-5 | 195 students
Rank: #1919.
Power Center Academy Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3540 S. Mendenhall St
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 310-2999
Gr: K-5 | 703 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Promise Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1346 Bryan St
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 324-4456
Gr: PK-5 | 282 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
City University School Girls Preparatory
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1475 East Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 775-2219
Gr: 6-8 | 94 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Compass Community School Binghampton Campus
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2540 Hale Ave
Memphis, TN 38112
(901) 866-9084
Gr: K-8 | 201 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2323.
City University School Of Liberal Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1475 E. Shelby Dr
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 775-2219
Gr: 9-12 | 179 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
Star Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3240 James Rd
Memphis, TN 38108
(901) 387-5050
Gr: K-8 | 400 students
Rank: #2525.
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4443 S. Germantown Rd
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 505-0551
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students
Rank: #2626.
Kipp Memphis Collegiate Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Henry Ave
Memphis, TN 38107
(901) 791-9391
Gr: K-5 | 381 students
Rank: #2727.
Power Center Academy High School
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5390 Mendenhall Square Mall
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 310-1331
Gr: 9-12 | 671 students
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Memphis Business Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3306 Overton Crossing
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 357-2708
Gr: 6-8 | 399 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Memphis Merit Academy
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4775 American Way
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 617-3690
Gr: K-8 | 424 students
Rank: #3030.
Memphis Business Academy High School
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3306 Overton Crossing
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 357-8680
Gr: 9-12 | 521 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3131.
Compass Community School Frayser Campus
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3690 Thomas St
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 358-7431
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3232.
Power Center Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5449 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 333-6874
Gr: 6-8 | 451 students
Rank: #3333.
Wooddale Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3467 Castleman St
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 730-4086
Gr: 6-8 | 534 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
Memphis School Of Excellence
Charter School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4921 Winchester Rd
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 425-2932
Gr: 6-12 | 575 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Memphis College Preparatory
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Dunn Ave
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 620-6475
Gr: K-5 | 227 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 29 more public schools in Shelby County, TN (out of 64 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Shelby County, TN?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Shelby County, TN include Memphis Stem Academy, Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Elementary School and Crosstown High School.
How many public charter schools are located in Shelby County?
74 public charter schools are located in Shelby County.
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public charter schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public charter schools average of 90% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?

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