The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in Science. The lowest is 7% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus
Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus is a public charter school in Memphis serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It operates as part of the Achievement School District, a state-run turnaround district that has been winding down and is slated for dissolution. The school sits in the 38112 zip code, a part of the city near the university area and within reach of Overton Park, the Memphis Zoo, and Rhodes College.
The student body is small for a full elementary program and is almost entirely composed of Black students, with very small numbers of Hispanic and white students. Data on students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners are not reported; families may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
State testing results from the 2023-24 school year show that a modest share of students scored at the proficient level or above in math, English language arts, and science. In math, roughly one in seven students reached proficiency; in ELA, the share was similar; in science, about one in five did. These are low rates by any common benchmark. The most recent social studies results are from several years ago and were produced under a different test, so they are not directly comparable and should be treated as a separate data point.
Because this is an elementary school, there is no high school graduation rate to report. The school does not offer Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or career and technical programs, which is typical for its grade span.
A key context for any family considering this school is that its governing body, the Achievement School District, is being phased out. In 2025, the Tennessee legislature passed a law to dissolve the ASD and replace it with a tiered intervention system. All remaining ASD schools are set to transfer back to their local school districts before the 2026-27 school year. That means Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus will likely become part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools in the near future. The turnaround model the ASD represented was the subject of a published study that found no significant improvement in student outcomes, and that research informed the decision to end the district. Families should expect a period of transition in school governance and possibly leadership.
The housing market in the area around the school reflects a community where home values are below national and state averages and have recently declined, while rents have been rising. This pattern is consistent with many older urban neighborhoods.
In short, Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus offers a regular elementary program in a small, majority-Black school setting with a history of low state test scores. The most significant factor shaping its future is the impending dissolution of the Achievement School District, which will move the school under the authority of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Families should seek current information from the school about supports for students, the transition timeline, and any changes to curriculum or leadership that may follow.
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