Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38119

Zip code 38119 in Memphis, Tennessee is home to six schools within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, serving approximately 2,728 students across elementary, middle, high school, and virtual programs. The educational landscape is sharply divided: the zip code's two traditional elementary schools are outperforming expectations, while its secondary schools are struggling significantly. The district ranks in the 3rd percentile statewide (137th out of 141 districts), yet individual schools tell a much more varied story.

For parents, the standout schools are clearly Balmoral/Ridgeway Elementary School and Oak Forest Elementary School. Balmoral/Ridgeway ranks in the 71st percentile statewide and exceeds Tennessee averages in math (56.6% vs. 43.0%), ELA (51.0% vs. 40.6%), and science (50.0% vs. 46.9%). Oak Forest ranks in the 59th percentile, also exceeding state averages in math and science, with a one-year jump in math proficiency from 40.0% to 51.2%. Both are bright exceptions to the district's overall struggles. In contrast, Ridgeway Middle School and Ridgeway High School rank in the bottom 12% of Tennessee schools. Ridgeway Middle's math proficiency is just 10.4% versus the 43.0% state average, and Ridgeway High's Algebra II proficiency is only 14.8%. The virtual schools—Memphis Virtual School and Memphis Virtual Adult High School—serve over a quarter of the zip code's students, but Memphis Virtual School's math proficiency is just 6.5% and the adult high school has no outcome data.

Per-student spending ranges from about $13,500 at Ridgeway Middle School to over $18,100 at Memphis Virtual Adult High School, but higher spending does not translate into better results. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at Ridgeway High, where 35.4% of students are chronically absent—nearly double the state average. However, Ridgeway High does post a graduation rate of 89.6%, above the district average. The biggest takeaway is that early academic gains at the elementary level are not being sustained through middle and high school, making math intervention and improved attendance key priorities for families and the district.