Memphis High School

Memphis High School is a small, rural high school in the Texas Panhandle serving 117 students in grades 9-12 within the Memphis Independent School District (Isd). This school stands out for its exceptional support of English Language Learners, ranking in the 91st percentile statewide for this group, and its strong performance with economically disadvantaged students, who rank in the 74th percentile. The school also boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate for four of the last five years, reflecting a deep commitment to seeing every student through to completion.

While the school excels in many areas, its academic performance is a mixed bag. In the most recent year, students significantly outperformed the state in Biology (72.7% vs. 70.5%), English II Reading (69.2% vs. 59.9%), and U.S. History (80% vs. 70.2%). However, Algebra I proficiency was a notable weakness, with only 31.3% of students meeting the state standard compared to 54% statewide. This suggests a potential imbalance in instructional focus, with math being a persistent challenge. Additionally, the school’s Gifted and Talented program ranks in the 28th percentile, indicating that resources may be heavily directed toward foundational support rather than enrichment for advanced learners.

There are no other schools within 20 miles of Memphis High School, making it the sole educational option for high school students in the area. The school benefits from a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.4:1 and above-average per-pupil spending of $16,666, which likely contributes to its ability to provide intensive support for vulnerable student groups. The school has shown a dramatic turnaround from a low point in the 2023-2024 school year, jumping from the 36th to the 56th percentile overall. To continue improving, the school will need to address its math struggles and find ways to better challenge its highest-achieving students.