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Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati

Q: How many students attend Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati?

In the 2024-25 school year, 302 students attended Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati?

Students at Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati are 94% African American, 3% Hispanic, 1% White.

Public, Charter Grades K-5

864^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 15% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creative is an elementary school serving 302 students in grades K-5 in Memphis, TN, as part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, a district ranked 137th out of 141 districts in Tennessee. The school's overall state ranking for 2025-2026 is 864th out of 1,019 elementary schools, placing it in the 15th percentile, and its test scores fall below state averages in all subjects. Compared to its district, however, the school performs slightly above average in math and science, while English language arts trails slightly behind.

One striking finding is that Southern Avenue spends $29,135 per student — dramatically more than nearby schools. Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch School spends about $15,332 per student and achieves far higher proficiency rates (48.2% in ELA and 37.2% in math) compared to Southern Avenue's 22.4% in ELA and 23.5% in math. Oakhaven Elementary School also posts stronger scores in math (44.8%), ELA (48.0%), and science (41.3%). That said, Southern Avenue outperforms seven of the ten nearby schools on most current test scores, including Alcy Elementary and Winchester Elementary. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern: 38.5% of students were chronically absent in 2024-2025, more than double the state average of 18.3%.

Looking at grade-level patterns, the school shows uneven growth. Third-grade math is a relative strength at 33.8% proficiency, but by 5th grade, only 12.8% of students are proficient. ELA trends the opposite way: just 15.6% proficient in 3rd grade, rising to 31.9% by 5th grade. One potential bright spot is subgroup performance: in 2024-2025, African American students ranked at the 58th percentile statewide and low-income students at the 57th percentile, both well above the school's overall standing. However, those gains were not sustained in 2025-2026. Overall, Southern Avenue has significant room for improvement, and its combination of high spending, elevated absenteeism, and volatile test scores suggests that better attendance and a closer look at how its substantial funding is used could help the school improve.

302

Students ?

13.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$29,135

Per pupil spending ?

93.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2221 Democrat Road
Memphis, TN 38132

(901) 743-7335

District: Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

94.0%

Hispanic:

3.0%

White:

1.3%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 21st percentile in 2018 → 15th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Tennessee average (25% vs 43% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (15th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (38% vs 18% Tennessee)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school25%

District avg25%

Tennessee avg43%

864^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Bottom 15%▼ down 6 pts since 2018

From bottom 21% (2018) to bottom 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

66^th of 120Elementary 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	19.0	864 of 1019	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	30.3	730 of 1009	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.5	874 of 1018	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	38.5	630 of 1020	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	16.4	857 of 1000	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.8	933 of 983	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.6	828 of 985	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.9	788 of 997	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	35.5	321 of 498	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.6	208 of 498	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	34.5	317 of 498	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	61.8	145 of 500	71.0%	★★★★☆
2022	37.3	272 of 483	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	20.8	359 of 411	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	35.4	251 of 404	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.2	199 of 450	55.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	37.4	626 of 986	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	18.2	839 of 990	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.1	649 of 989	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	15.7	852 of 975	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	10.5	873 of 945	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	24.9	744 of 926	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	45.0	463 of 823	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.0	361 of 843	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.1	528 of 853	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	66.6	205 of 865	76.3%	★★★★☆
2022	31.5	629 of 858	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.6	755 of 823	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	36.4	556 of 821	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.3	536 of 877	38.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	24.1	786 of 984	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.7	874 of 991	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	42.5	558 of 987	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	18.1	827 of 980	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.6	907 of 941	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	16.9	822 of 916	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)44th percentile+29 vs school

Female (2025)37th percentile+9 vs school

African American (2026)36th percentile+20 vs school

Male (2025)20th percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Science30%-17 vs state

Mathematics24%-20 vs state

English Language Arts22%-18 vs state

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Schools Near Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati

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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 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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2016)	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 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	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 Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	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
Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati	Public, Charter	K-5	2221 Democrat Road	Memphis	38132	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 743-7335	330	25	13.4	93.1%	4 (1.2%)	306 (92.7%)	15 (4.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.2%)	19	864^th of 1019 public elementary schools	15.2%		30.3	730^th of 1009 public elementary schools	27.7%	134	33.8	19.5	12.8				23.5	15.6	22.0	31.9				22.4	30.8	26.8	31.9				30.1					$29,135	$1,500	$27,270
Alcy Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1750 E Alcy Rd	Memphis	38114	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-3674	732	45	16.3		6 (0.8%)	652 (89.1%)	64 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.4%)	5.2	1003^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	1.6%		4.5	999^th of 1009 public elementary schools	1.0%	4	13.9	12.1	7.8				11.4	14.8	15.4	8.8				13.1	14.5	15.4	14.3				14.7					$13,718	$1,621	$11,027
Winchester Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3587 Boeingshire Dr	Memphis	38116	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-3152	413	25	16.3	95.3%	6 (1.5%)	366 (88.6%)	26 (6.3%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.7%)	5.5	998^th of 1019 public elementary schools	2.1%		8.4	959^th of 1009 public elementary schools	5.0%	39	10.6	18.0	< 5%				11.3	12.8	16.1	< 5%				11.2	12.8	21.0	7.0				14.5					$16,416	$1,797	$13,308
Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch School	Public, Charter	K-5	3750 Millbranch Road	Memphis	38116	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 538-9500	515	41	12.6		5 (1.0%)	428 (83.1%)	76 (14.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	53.6	453^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	55.5%		53.8	435^th of 1009 public elementary schools	56.9%	18	39.8	33.3	38.6				37.2	39.8	57.7	47.4				48.2	43.4	51.3	70.2				53.2					$15,332	$1,505	$13,461
Believe Memphis Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2230 Corry Road	Memphis	38106	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 881-7970	387	29	13.3		1 (0.3%)	368 (95.1%)	9 (2.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.1%)	4.8	1009^th of 1019 public elementary schools	1.0%		8.6	957^th of 1009 public elementary schools	5.2%	52	11.6	5.9	14.6	< 5%	< 5%	9.9	7.8	6.5	8.3	11.9	6.4	8.6	6.9	7.8	6.7	11.4	16.7	16.5	14.5	11.1	13.2	14.1	38.2	20.8	23.9	$14,634	$1,378	$12,890
Memphis College Preparatory School	Public, Charter	K-5	1500 Dunn Avenue	Memphis	38106	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 620-6475	239	14	17.7	95.8%	1 (0.4%)	226 (94.6%)	8 (3.3%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	6.2	984^th of 1019 public elementary schools	3.4%		4.3	1001^st of 1009 public elementary schools	0.8%	17	18.2	13.0	7.3				12.5	24.2	20.0	12.2				18.5	12.1	10.9	9.8				10.8					$15,486	$1,477	$13,643
Gardenview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4075 Hartz Dr	Memphis	38116	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-3068	259	18	14.3	97.6%	0 (0.0%)	242 (93.4%)	14 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.2%)	7.6	966^th of 1019 public elementary schools	5.2%		12.1	923^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	8.5%	43	< 5%	17.9	23.8				14.5	15.0	17.9	19.0				17.4	15.0	14.3	14.3				14.5					$17,016	$1,809	$13,972
Bethel Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2459 Arlington Ave	Memphis	38114	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-5012	299	20	14.9	95.9%	4 (1.3%)	278 (93.0%)	11 (3.7%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	9.9	940^th of 1019 public elementary schools	7.8%		7.4	972^nd of 1009 public elementary schools	3.7%	32	17.1	16.7	< 5%				11.6	34.1	16.2	8.3				20.2	19.5	13.9	14.3				16.1					$17,572	$2,303	$14,091
Compass Community School Orange Mound Campus	Public, Charter	K-8	2718 Lamar Avenue	Memphis	38114	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(901) 743-6700	188	17	11.0		4 (2.1%)	121 (64.4%)	62 (33.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	7.3	972^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	4.6%		14.4	893^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	11.5%	79	9.5	32.0	15.8	< 5%	< 5%	14.3	13.1	9.5	16.0	5.3	< 5%	17.4	9.5	10.8	9.5	24.0	15.8	< 5%	13.0	14.3	13.8	9.5	47.8	9.5	23.1	$15,751	$1,441	$13,944
Robert R. Church Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4100 Millbranch Rd	Memphis	38116	Shelby County	Memphis-Shelby County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(901) 416-0198	549	32	17.1	96.8%	3 (0.5%)	533 (97.1%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.3%)	32.5	729^th of 1019 public elementary schools	28.5%		13.3	907^th of 1009 public elementary schools	10.1%	178	33.7	31.6	28.2				31.3	43.8	38.7	30.6				37.9	42.0	35.5	28.2				35.5					$14,209	$1,554	$11,645

Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati

How many students attend Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati?

In the 2024-25 school year, 302 students attended Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati.

What is the racial makeup of Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati?

Students at Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati are 94% African American, 3% Hispanic, 1% White.

What district is Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati in?

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Is Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati a good school?

Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati ranks in the bottom 15.2% of Tennessee elementary schools.

Rate Southern Avenue Charter School Of Academic Excellence Creati!

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

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.