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Kirby High School

Q: Is Kirby High School a good school?

Kirby High School ranks in the bottom 15.0% of Tennessee high schools.

Q: How many students attend Kirby High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 699 students attended Kirby High School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Kirby High School?

Students at Kirby High School are 77% African American, 20% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Q: What schools feed into Kirby High School?

Kirby High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Belle Forest Community School Elementary : Crump Elementary School Elementary : Germanshire Elementary School Middle : Hickory Ridge Middle School

Public Grades 9-12

340^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 400 Tennessee High Schools

Better than 15% of Tennessee high schools

Summary

Kirby High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving approximately 699 students in grades 9–12 within Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The school's state ranking has been near the bottom for most of the past decade, but the most recent 2025–2026 data shows notable improvement: Kirby High School now ranks 340th out of 400 Tennessee high schools (15th percentile, 1 star), up from 374th out of 389 (4th percentile, 0 stars) the previous year—the school's best showing since 2022–2023.

The most pressing challenge at Kirby is chronic absenteeism. In 2024–2025, 63.1% of students were chronically absent—more than double the 30.2% district average and triple the 18.3% state rate. Only Wooddale High School (73.1%) has a higher rate among nearby schools, while Power Center Academy High School (13.3%) and Southwind High School (24.1%) show that similar student populations can achieve far better attendance. Kirby's graduation rate of 84.0% essentially matches the district average and marks a strong improvement from 71.8% in 2020–2021, though it trails Power Center Academy (95.1%) and Southwind (91.6%). Test scores remain below state averages in most subjects, but several show large year-over-year gains: Geometry proficiency jumped from 5.4% to 23.7%, and Algebra II improved from 8.5% to 19.6%. Notably, Kirby's US History proficiency (30.8%) exceeds the district average.

There are genuine bright spots. Kirby's English Language Learner students ranked 8th out of 50 schools statewide (84th percentile, 4 stars) in 2024–2025—an exceptional result that sets the school apart from most of Tennessee. Low-income students also saw their subgroup ranking climb from the 5th to the 23rd percentile in the most recent year. Kirby spends more per student ($15,021) than most nearby schools, including Ridgeway High School ($14,884) and Germantown High School ($13,235). The path forward likely hinges on addressing chronic absenteeism, which remains the school's defining challenge and the most significant barrier to sustained academic progress.

699

Students ?

16.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,021

Per pupil spending ?

58.1%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

4080 Kirby Pkwy
Memphis, TN 38115

(901) 416-1960

District: Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Feeder schools for Kirby High School:

Elementary:	Belle Forest Community School
	Crump Elementary School
	Germanshire Elementary School
Middle:	Hickory Ridge Middle School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

76.8%

Hispanic:

20.2%

Two or more races:

2.0%

See top rated Tennessee high schools

Compare Kirby High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 5th percentile in 2016 → 15th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 10 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Tennessee average (20% vs 43% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (15th percentile)

!Graduation rate below the Tennessee average (82% vs 91%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school20%

District avg26%

Tennessee avg43%

340^th of 400

Tennessee public high schools ?

Bottom 15%▲ up 10 pts since 2016

From bottom 5% (2016) to bottom 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

22^nd of 40High Schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools

137^th of 141Memphis-Shelby County Schools among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	19.2	340 of 400	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	9.0	374 of 389	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.8	375 of 392	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.5	337 of 384	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	8.1	339 of 358	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.8	341 of 347	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.5	330 of 342	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	5.3	341 of 341	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	8.8	333 of 351	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	24.2	177 of 230	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.2	211 of 233	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	17.2	212 of 240	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.9	184 of 239	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.0	200 of 222	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	18.2	184 of 208	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	19.7	169 of 187	9.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	9.4	199 of 199	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	67.2	8 of 50	84.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	7.4	358 of 365	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.6	355 of 365	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.5	328 of 366	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	6.8	336 of 350	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	6.8	322 of 340	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.7	313 of 337	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	34.3	154 of 229	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.2	146 of 213	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	16.1	197 of 209	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	34.4	134 of 202	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	27.3	148 of 189	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	18.1	161 of 180	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.8	142 of 153	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	18.0	150 of 159	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	29.2	237 of 308	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	15.6	307 of 324	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	15.1	308 of 337	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	44.5	160 of 330	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	14.2	300 of 322	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.6	296 of 317	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	16.4	288 of 302	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	13.1	299 of 308	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	9.6	350 of 368	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.9	344 of 366	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	18.9	305 of 359	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	8.3	335 of 349	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.0	326 of 329	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	27.7	171 of 210	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	81.8	11 of 198	94.4%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)84th percentile+80 vs school

Hispanic (2026)33rd percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)23rd percentile+8 vs school

African American (2026)23rd percentile+8 vs school

Special Education (2026)19th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)5th percentile~ school

Female (2025)2nd percentile~ school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

US History31%-12 vs state

English II29%-29 vs state

Geometry24%-19 vs state

Biology I21%-28 vs state

Algebra II20%-18 vs state

English I14%-23 vs state

Algebra I11%-21 vs state

★

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Schools Near Kirby High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)				TNReady English Language Arts (2026)				TNReady Algebra I (2026)							TNReady Algebra II (2026)					TNReady Biology I (2026)					TNReady US History (2026)					TNReady English I (2026)					TNReady English II (2026)					TNReady Geometry (2026)					TNReady Science (2026)				TNReady Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Algebra I 7th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 8th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 9th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 10th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 11th Grade	TNReady Algebra I 12th Grade	TNReady Algebra I All Grades	TNReady Algebra II 9th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 10th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 11th Grade	TNReady Algebra II 12th Grade	TNReady Algebra II All Grades	TNReady Biology I 9th Grade	TNReady Biology I 10th Grade	TNReady Biology I 11th Grade	TNReady Biology I 12th Grade	TNReady Biology I All Grades	TNReady US History 9th Grade	TNReady US History 10th Grade	TNReady US History 11th Grade	TNReady US History 12th Grade	TNReady US History All Grades	TNReady English I 9th Grade	TNReady English I 10th Grade	TNReady English I 11th Grade	TNReady English I 12th Grade	TNReady English I All Grades	TNReady English II 9th Grade	TNReady English II 10th Grade	TNReady English II 11th Grade	TNReady English II 12th Grade	TNReady English II All Grades	TNReady Geometry 9th Grade	TNReady Geometry 10th Grade	TNReady Geometry 11th Grade	TNReady Geometry 12th Grade	TNReady Geometry All Grades	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kirby High School	Public	9-12	4080 Kirby Pkwy	Memphis	38115	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-1960	697	43	16.0	58.1%	6 (0.9%)	541 (77.6%)	127 (18.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.2%)	19.2	340^th of 400 public high schools	15.0%		9	374^th of 389 public high schools	3.9%	34											8.9				10.8		15.0	19.4	25.0	19.6		18.6	45.5		21.3					30.8	14.2				13.8		29.9			28.8		24.5	21.4		23.7									$15,021	$1,692	$12,391
Bluff City High School	Public, Charter	9-12	4100 Ross Road	Memphis	38115	Shelby County	Tennessee Public Charter School Commission	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 730-8157	478	30	15.9	41.8%	8 (1.7%)	373 (78.0%)	89 (18.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	4 (0.8%)	11.6	365^th of 400 public high schools	8.8%		10.2	369^th of 389 public high schools	5.1%	4											< 5%				< 5%			12.2		11.5		25.6			23.0						5.6				5.5		20.7			18.3		14.9			14.0									$13,541	$998	$12,544
Power Center Academy High School	Public, Charter	9-12	5390 Mendenhall Square Mall	Memphis	38115	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 310-1331	673	37	18.3	52.3%	1 (0.1%)	437 (64.9%)	217 (32.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (2.2%)	23.6	319^th of 400 public high schools	20.3%		33.8	257^th of 389 public high schools	33.9%	62											14.8				14.8			14.7		14.7			25.3		25.3						20.4				20.3		43.7			43.7		20.2			21.0									$14,510	$1,438	$12,705
Southwind High School	Public	9-12	7900 E Shelby Dr	Memphis	38125	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-3250	1,622	80	20.3	50.7%	13 (0.8%)	1,263 (77.9%)	280 (17.3%)	9 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (3.4%)	30.8	282^nd of 400 public high schools	29.5%		17.9	335^th of 389 public high schools	13.9%	53											25.8				25.6		31.4	16.1		17.3		30.6			29.9			12.5	20.0	15.8	19.1				18.9		47.1			46.4		25.3	18.2		24.9									$12,669	$1,428	$10,683
Wooddale High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	5151 Scottsdale	Memphis	38118	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(901) 416-2440	618	37	16.6	53.9%	2 (0.3%)	406 (65.7%)	194 (31.4%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.1%)	9.3	380^th of 400 public high schools	5.0%		11.2	362^nd of 389 public high schools	6.9%	18											< 5%				< 5%		5.0	13.2		6.5		11.6	< 5%		10.5			38.9		30.0	8.2				8.1		25.8	< 5%		22.7		5.0	11.8	< 5%	10.0									$13,655	$1,739	$11,080
Memphis School of Excellence	Public, Charter	6-12	4921 Winchester Road	Memphis	38118	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 425-2932	562	36	15.4	64.2%	5 (0.9%)	234 (41.6%)	309 (55.0%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	9 (1.6%)	14.7	353^rd of 400 public high schools	11.8%		14.8	346^th of 389 public high schools	11.1%	7	14.3	26.3	22.7	20.9	8.3	18.5	13.6	13.4			14.8				15.7			11.1		11.0	18.5				17.0		22.2			23.1	12.3				12.3		39.4			39.4		13.4			13.4	15.5	38.3	23.5	25.6	10.7	48.1	22.2	26.8	$14,449	$1,384	$12,699
Ridgeway High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2009 Ridgeway	Memphis	38119	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(901) 416-8820	805	43	18.6	49.4%	9 (1.1%)	681 (84.6%)	80 (9.9%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (3.7%)	15.5	351^st of 400 public high schools	12.3%		17.3	338^th of 389 public high schools	13.1%	13											< 5%				< 5%		20.0	13.6		14.8	53.7	19.1			28.4		20.0	13.0		13.0	17.1				17.1		37.7			34.6		14.2	14.3		13.9									$14,884	$1,579	$12,506
Germantown High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	7653 Old Poplar Pike	Germantown	38138	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(901) 416-0955	1,765	97	18.2	37.6%	62 (3.5%)	1,394 (79.0%)	171 (9.7%)	36 (2.0%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	99 (5.6%)	41.3	238^th of 400 public high schools	40.5%		45	196^th of 389 public high schools	49.6%	42											20.1	10.0			19.7		38.1	30.0	28.6	30.7	58.8	34.7	30.8		36.9			38.3		38.1	22.8				22.8		42.7			42.5	45.8	40.4	56.5		41.6									$13,235	$1,370	$11,356
Memphis Virtual Adult High School	Public, Virtual	9-12	1775 Ridgeway Rd.	Memphis	38119	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(901) 416-0115	119	4	33.7	16.0%	3 (2.5%)	105 (88.2%)	8 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.5%)								(n/a)
Tennessee Career Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	4775 American Way	Memphis	38118	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(901) 230-2827				—															(n/a)	18.2	11.5		15.3	12.1	7.4		10.0																																						12.1	19.2		15.3	9.1	19.2		13.6

Frequently Asked Questions about Kirby High School

What schools feed into Kirby High School?

Kirby High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Belle Forest Community School
Elementary : Crump Elementary School
Elementary : Germanshire Elementary School
Middle : Hickory Ridge Middle School

How many students attend Kirby High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 699 students attended Kirby High School.

What is the racial makeup of Kirby High School?

Students at Kirby High School are 77% African American, 20% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Kirby High School in?

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Is Kirby High School a good school?

Kirby High School ranks in the bottom 15.0% of Tennessee high schools.

Rate Kirby High School!

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 graduation ratesNewOct 29, 2026

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.