Best High Schools in Zip Code 38119

Zip code 38119 in Memphis, TN contains two high schools—Ridgeway High School and Memphis Virtual Adult High School—serving grades 9-12 within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. Ridgeway is the only traditional, comprehensive high school in the area, enrolling 695 students, while Memphis Virtual Adult High School serves 418 students through a non-traditional, virtual/adult learning model. Combined, these schools account for 1,113 high school students in the zip code.

Ridgeway is the clear academic benchmark, but its performance is concerning. It has earned a 1-star rating and ranks near the 12th-14th percentile statewide over the past three years, with proficiency rates well below state averages in every subject—most notably in U.S. History (13%), Algebra II (14.8%), and Geometry (13.9%). Its graduation rate of 89.6% is above the district and nearly matches the state average, yet its chronic absenteeism rate of 35.4% is nearly double the state rate. Memphis Virtual Adult High School, by contrast, has no published test scores, graduation rate, or attendance data, making direct comparison impossible. It does, however, spend significantly more per student ($18,163 versus Ridgeway's $14,884), likely reflecting the higher costs of virtual platforms and adult education support.

The most striking takeaway is Ridgeway's combination of low academic proficiency and high graduation rates, suggesting students may be progressing through credit recovery rather than mastering state standards. Chronic absenteeism appears to be a major driver of weak test performance, affecting more than one in three students. There are small signs of improvement in Algebra II and Geometry, and English II stands out as the school's strongest subject at 34.6% proficiency. Meanwhile, the virtual school remains a data blind spot, leaving families with little to evaluate. With only one traditional high school serving the zip code, Ridgeway's challenges carry significant weight for local families seeking quality educational options.