Memphis-Shelby County Schools is proud to celebrate the remarkable progress, resilience, and rising academic momentum taking place across our District. This year’s School Letter Grades reflect the dedication of our educators, the commitment of our families, and the incredible achievements of our students. Together, we are building stronger schools, stronger futures, and stronger opportunities for every child we serve.
The state’s letter grade model evaluates K-8 schools on Achievement, Growth (TVAAS), and Growth for the bottom 25 percent of students. High schools are evaluated on these same indicators and an additional measure, College and Career Readiness, which reflects ACT benchmarks, early postsecondary opportunities, and other readiness indicators. These ratings provide a meaningful snapshot of how schools are serving students and where strong progress is emerging.
District Highlights: A Year of Growth and Rising Excellence
The 2024-2025 results show encouraging districtwide progress. More schools improved their performance, more schools attained higher ratings, and fewer schools scored below a C. These gains reflect the collective hard work happening each day in classrooms across MSCS.
Alongside these gains, steady performance across the district:
The number of schools performing below a C also declined overall. These results speak to the tremendous work underway in our schools, from strengthening instruction to building positive school culture and student supports.
Celebrating Exceptional Growth: Schools Rising Two or More Letter Grades
Twenty-one schools experienced extraordinary improvement this year, rising two or more letter grades. These remarkable gains showcase what is possible when committed educators, engaged students, and supportive families work together to accelerate learning and create stronger school communities.
“Our improvement came from staying focused on instruction and our students every day. We used data intentionally, supported our teachers, and kept high expectations for all learners. This year’s results show what consistent effort can achieve.”– Brandon Poyner, Principal, Bolton High School
We are especially proud of the nine schools that made significant jumps from F to C or higher. These transformational turnarounds highlight a year of intentional work, strengthened support systems, and a powerful belief in the potential of every student.
“We asked more of ourselves, and we stayed the course. This shift reflects disciplined instruction, honest reflection, and a team that chose consistency over comfort. Moving from an F to a C confirms that our direction is working, and we are proud of what our staff has built together. Our students met higher expectations, stayed engaged, and proved they are capable of strong outcomes.” — Monica Fleming, Principal, Highland Oaks Middle School
Notable Achievement Spotlight: Rozelle Elementary’s Three-Step Rise
Rozelle Elementary demonstrated one of the most outstanding accomplishments of the year, rising from an F in 2023-2024 to a B in 2024-2025, a three-step improvement in just one year. This achievement showcases focused leadership, dedicated educators, and students who show up ready to learn and grow.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our students, teachers, staff, and families. Through focused instructional strategies, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to academic excellence, we have created an artistic environment where every child can thrive. This progress demonstrates that when a community works together with a shared vision, transformational change is possible. We will continue to build on this momentum to ensure sustained success and growth for all students.” — Taurus Hines, Principal, Rozelle Elementary School
Celebrating Steady Growth
The 2024-25 School Letter Grades show meaningful progress across MSCS. We are proud to recognize all schools that earned an A or B this year. Their progress demonstrates focused instruction and a sustained commitment to student learning.
We also honor the schools that maintained their A or B ratings. Maintaining excellence requires strong leadership, high expectations, and a culture that prioritizes student success.
“These results show that our growth is beginning to take shape across the District. Each improvement reflects the daily commitment of our teachers, principals, students, and families. While there is still work ahead, we are encouraged by the progress and remain focused on strengthening instruction and support for every school.” – Dr. Roderick Richmond, Interim Superintendent
To view the full State Report Card, see here.