The reported proficiency rate for Social studies is 8%.
Original Research by School Decision on Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School
Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School is a state-run charter school in Memphis, serving grades six through eight. It operates under the Achievement School District, Tennessee’s former state turnaround district, and is one of the last remaining schools in that system. The student body is small for a middle school-sized population. Nearly all students are Black, with a very small number of Hispanic, white, and multiracial students. Free- or reduced-price lunch data was not reported, so the share of students from low-income households is not directly available, but given the school’s location and the local economic context, it is reasonable to infer that many families face financial constraints.
The school’s academic picture is limited. For the 2023-24 school year, state testing results for math, English language arts, and science were suppressed, meaning the data was not released publicly. Participation rates were high in all subjects, so the suppression is not due to low turnout. Only social studies produced a reported result, and that figure showed a low proficiency rate. When placed against other districts in Shelby County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades fell in the bottom quartile. This is a serious signal for parents: academic performance, based on what is available to examine, is well below the county midpoint. The absence of data in the core subjects of math, reading, and science makes it difficult to assess the full picture, and a parent may want to ask the school directly for more detailed information on how students are performing.
The school’s broader context matters. The Achievement School District is in the process of being dismantled. State legislation passed in 2025 will dissolve the ASD by the 2026-27 school year and transfer remaining schools back to their local districts, likely Memphis-Shelby County Schools. This means Humes Preparatory Academy is on a trajectory of governance change. Families currently at the school or considering it should expect a transition to local district control, which could bring changes in leadership, curriculum, and operational oversight. A 2024 Brown University study found that the ASD did not produce meaningful improvements in student test scores or graduation rates, and that some high school results may have worsened under the model. That research informed the legislative decision to end the district.
The surrounding community is in Memphis, a large city with a rich set of cultural and civic institutions: the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music are all within the metro area. Downtown’s Tom Lee Park underwent a major renovation recently, adding trails and sports facilities. FedExForum hosts the Memphis Grizzlies. The Mississippi River is a defining geographic feature. Public transit is available through MATA, and the city’s library system serves residents across neighborhoods. Housing in the school’s immediate zip code area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, with typical home values well below the Tennessee median and rents modest by national standards. That affordability is a factor for families looking to live within the school’s attendance zone.
This is a school that sits at an inflection point. It serves a predominantly Black student body in a low- to moderate-income urban setting, and its academic results, where they can be seen, are low. The state-run turnaround model it was part of is ending, and the school is slated to return to local district governance. For a parent weighing options, this is a school where academic data is sparse and discouraging where it exists, where the governance structure is unsettled, and where a clear record of improvement has not been established. It may appeal to families who value a small middle school setting and are prepared to navigate a period of change, but the current evidence does not indicate strong academic outcomes.
See more original research from School Decision →