The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Ida B. Wells Academy Es/ms
Ida B. Wells Academy is a regular public school in Memphis serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. The school has a small enrollment, and its student body is almost entirely Black, with a very small number of students who identify as Hispanic or as two or more races. The school does not report a charter or magnet status.
The school’s academic performance, as measured by Tennessee’s TNReady assessments, is a central consideration. On the state tests for the most recent year, proficiency rates were low across all subjects tested in grades three through eight. In math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, the rate was roughly the same. Science proficiency was slightly higher, and social studies was the lowest of the four subjects. Participation was full for all tests, so the results reflect nearly all students in the tested grades. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Shelby County. A parent looking into this school will want to ask how the school is working to improve academic outcomes and what support is available for students who are not yet on grade level.
The school serves a neighborhood in Memphis. The city itself is large and offers a wide range of cultural and civic amenities, including the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and Beale Street. The Mississippi River is a defining feature. Tom Lee Park downtown was recently renovated. Public transit is available through the Memphis Area Transit Authority. The housing market in the school’s zip code is well below the state and national median values, and home values in the area have seen a modest decline recently. This makes the area more affordable than much of the broader Memphis region.
The school’s environment data, including details on discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance, were not available in the data provided. The school’s civil rights and outcomes data were also absent. These are important gaps. A family considering Ida B. Wells Academy should ask the school or district directly about school climate, how the school supports student behavior, and teacher qualifications.
Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report. Families will need to consider where their child would attend high school after leaving Ida B. Wells Academy, which is a separate decision.
In sum, this is a small, neighborhood K-8 public school in Memphis with a largely Black student body and a low-income housing market around it. The academic proficiency rates are low across all tested subjects, and the school sits at the bottom of its county comparison. A parent would be wise to investigate what specific academic interventions and supports the school offers and to look into the available data on school climate and staffing that is not reflected in this report.
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