Summary:
Zip code 38111 in Memphis, Tennessee is served by six schools in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district: four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, enrolling roughly 3,082 students. The district itself ranks in the bottom 3% of Tennessee districts, but the schools in this zip code tell a deeply divided story. East High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide with a 98.3% graduation rate. It outperforms the state in English II (87.8% proficient), Biology (74.8%), and most other subjects. Leadership Preparatory Charter School is the strongest elementary/middle option, with math proficiency at the state average of 43% and science at 52%, well above district averages.
The other four schools struggle significantly. Sherwood Middle School is in the bottom 2% of Tennessee middle schools, with just 5.7% proficient in ELA and 6.1% in 8th grade math, alongside a 45.3% chronic absenteeism rate — the highest in the zip code. Sherwood Elementary School, South Park Elementary School, and Sharpe Elementary School are all in the bottom 10% statewide, with proficiency rates in the single digits to low 20s. Notably, spending is high — from $14,013 to $17,225 per student — yet outcomes remain very low, showing that money alone doesn't drive success.
Chronic absenteeism is a major concern across the area: five of six schools exceed the state average of 18.3%. However, there are positive signs. Sherwood Elementary improved significantly from 2024-25 to 2025-26 in math (7.2% to 12.1%) and ELA (14.0% to 23.2%), and Leadership Prep improved in science and social studies. For parents, the zip code offers one exceptional high school, one solid charter option, and a cluster of elementary/middle schools that need substantial support. Families with elementary-aged children may want to explore all options carefully.
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