Summary:
Zip code 38018 (Cordova, TN) is served by four schools enrolling about 2,266 students in grades PK–12, all operating within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, which ranks in the bottom 3% of Tennessee districts. Per-student spending is similar across the four schools, ranging from roughly $13,481 to $14,463, yet performance varies dramatically from school to school.
The clear standout is Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Cordova, which jumped from the 14th to the 55th percentile in just two years and now scores near state averages in math (44.9%), ELA (44.3%), and science (46.6%), while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism in the area at 16.9%. By contrast, Cordova Middle School posts the lowest core subject proficiency in the zip code, with math at 14.1%, ELA at 16.4%, and science at 21.6%, alongside a 33.1% chronic absenteeism rate — nearly double the state average. Cordova Elementary School shows steady but modest improvement, reaching the 26th percentile with ELA as its strongest subject at 38.3%. Memphis School of Excellence Cordova, a 6–12 school, has declined to the 27th percentile, though it shows relative strength in English II (47.9%) and Geometry (38.5%).
Several insights stand out for parents. Two elementary schools spend nearly the same amount per student, yet math proficiency differs by about 20 points, suggesting that school culture, attendance, and instructional approach matter more than district-level performance. Chronic absenteeism is a community-wide concern, with three of the four schools above 25%. Cordova Middle presents an intriguing paradox: its Algebra I proficiency is an exceptional 61.1%, far above the state’s 32.3%, even though overall math proficiency is low, indicating a strong advanced-math track alongside a struggling general curriculum. Overall, Memphis School of Excellence Elementary Cordova is the most notable success story, while Cordova Middle School faces the most significant challenges.
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