As families consider educational options for the upcoming school year, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) wants families to have the information they need to make informed decisions about their child's education.

Serving thousands of students across Shelby County, MSCS offers a wide range of academic programs, student support services, college and career pathways, and family resources designed to help every student succeed. From Pre-K and Optional Schools to Advanced Placement courses, career certifications, transportation services, and family support programs, MSCS is committed to providing opportunities that meet the diverse needs of students and families.

Academic Opportunities for Every Student

Pre-K: Pre-Kindergarten is one of the most important steps families can take to ensure students are prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. MSCS Pre-K is open to children who reside in Shelby County and are 3 or 4 years old by August 15. Learn how you can enroll your student.

Optional Schools Program: MSCS’ Optional Schools Program provides creative and rigorous coursework and extracurricular offerings led by teachers who inspire and challenge high-performing students to achieve their best. Each optional school has a specialized learning focus, such as Enriched Academics, College Prep, International Studies, International Baccalaureate (IB), Creative & Performing Arts, Automotive Technology and more. Programs are available at the elementary, middle, and senior high level. Applications – open in February for the following school year – are required for admittance. Learn more about the Optional Schools Program.

School Choice: All students are assigned to a school based on the address of their parent or legal guardian. The General Choice Transfer process allows parents to choose a different school that best fits their child’s educational needs if space is available in the chosen school and the school does not have specific admission criteria. Learn more about School Choice.

College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE): MSCS Ready Grad programs feature 40+ College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE) course offerings that give students real-world skills, education, and experience to pursue any path after graduation. It's one of the most valuable high school experiences a student can have. From STEM, business, and manufacturing to health services, hospitality, IT, and more, students gain access to college courses and industry certifications in high-demand fields while still in high school. Find your student’s Ready Grad path.

Special Education Service: The Department of Exceptional Education is committed to ensuring that every student with exceptionalities receives a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment which will prepare them to transition from school to the global workforce.

Learn about services provided by the Department of Exception Education.

Advanced Academics 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools offers a wide variety of advanced academics courses starting as early as the middle school years for our students. We currently offer two pre-Early Postsecondary Opportunity (EPSO) programs, Honors and Pre-AP, which serve as a stepping stone for our students to gain a stronger foundation and to be more prepared for future EPSO opportunities. Current EPSO Programs:

English as a Second Language (ESL): The English as a Second Language Department seeks to provide educational opportunities specific to the needs of English Learners such that students may succeed academically in the following content areas: Social & Instructional, Language, Math, Science, and Social Studies while meeting Title III & Office of Civil Rights compliance measures. Learn more.

Before & After School Tutoring: Though PowerSchool, Students can access tutors up to 6 hours per week in a 1:8 adult-to-student ration on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more.

Homework Hotline: Homework Hotline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to providing academic support for K-12 students across Tennessee. Learn more about Homework Hotline.

Summer Learning Academy (SLA): The MSCS Summer Learning Academy (SLA) provides MSCS students in rising grades K-9 with a 4-week, robust learning experience that includes full and engaging days of reading and math instruction as well as intervention and physical activity. Students also participate in hands-on enrichment activities and fun-filled educational field trips. Embedded within its design is the intensive focus on Reading/Language Arts in support of the MSCS Literacy Commitment effort to ensure the success and reading readiness of our students. Learn more about the Summer Learning Academy.

Family Support Services

 
Parent Welcome Center: Located at 2687 Avery Ave. in Memphis, the Parent Welcome Center is available for parents to speak with an MSCS staff member and get questions answered. Staff are available to help with both English and Spanish speakers. If you can’t make it to the office, parents can now ask questions online and get an immediate response. Representatives are waiting to serve you and provide the information you need. Visit the Parent Welcome Center webpage to receive answers to your questions. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
 

Family Resource Centers: MSCS Family Resource Centers are school-based hubs designed to provide direct support to students and families. Located inside Community Schools across the district, these centers offer access to food, technology, hygiene items and clothing support (varies by location), and emergency services referrals.

In addition to meeting basic needs, each Family Resource Center includes dedicated training space for:

Support for Families Experiencing Homelessness: Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students experiencing homelessness have the right to immediate enrollment, even if they do not have documents normally required for registration (such as proof of address, birth certificate, immunization records, or previous school records). Contact the MSCS Homeless Education Liaison for assistance.

Teen Parent Program: The Youth Advocacy Program, located at Invictus Academy at Airways Middle School, is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Alternative Education division and is designed to support and advocate for pregnant and parenting students across the district. Learn more.

Attendance Support: MSCS has launched “Show Up for Greatness,” a district-wide initiative that celebrates and supports students for being present, engaged, and ready to learn. We are committed to partnering with families to reduce absenteeism. When students struggle to attend school, we connect families with community resources like food support, healthcare, and more. Our attendance liaisons and school staff are here to help every student show up, succeed, and thrive. Families can now track their child’s attendance directly in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Attendance and tier status will also appear on progress reports and report cards. Parents can conveniently report absences online through PowerSchool by completing the Student Absence Form under the “Forms” tab. Learn more.

 
Transportation and Nutrition Services

Bus & Transportation: All MSCS students who live beyond the Parent Responsibility Zone (PRZ) are eligible for bus transportation to their zoned school. PRZs are listed below:

Learn more about transportation services and download the School Bus app to track your student bus.

Food and nutrition are integral to a student’s ability to learn. MSCS provides multiple meal options at low or no-cost to ensure hunger does not affect students’ ability to learn. Meal Programs offered by MSCS:

Providing these unique resources and programs to MSCS students ensures their diverse needs are met, and they are set up to succeed. As the summer rolls on and the new school year approaches, it is imperative that students are registered and ready to learn when August arrives. To learn more or to register your student, visit www.scsk12.org/registration or contact the Office of Enrollment, Attendance, and Truancy at 901-416-2989. 

If you have a story about a MSCS student, teacher, or school to highlight, please email us at communications@scsk12.org. Include the school name, story details, and an SCSK12.ORG email for follow-up.