The top reported proficiency rate is 12% in Social studies. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Sherwood Middle
Sherwood Middle is a regular public school in Memphis serving grades six through eight as part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, one of Tennessee’s largest districts. With roughly 670 students across the three middle grades, the school operates in a district that has been in a period of visible transition: publicly reported information points to a district-wide school closure and consolidation plan known as Reimagining 901, as well as a recent property tax referendum, both of which signal ongoing structural change that could affect school resources and feeder patterns.
The student body at Sherwood Middle is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with a very small white population and a small share of students identifying as two or more races. This demographic profile is characteristic of many schools in the Memphis area. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent would need to ask the school directly for those figures.
State assessment results paint a concerning picture of academic performance. For math and English language arts, the state suppressed the reported proficiency rates, though the school tested a large number of students and participation was high. The suppression means the data was not released publicly; a parent should follow up with the school or district to understand what those results show. In science and social studies, where results were reported, very few students met the state’s proficiency standard. The school’s overall proficiency index, calculated as the average across the subjects that were reported, places Sherwood Middle in the bottom quarter when compared with other districts in Shelby County. That metric, while based on limited subjects, signals that academic achievement is a clear area of concern.
Because Sherwood Middle serves only middle school grades, there is no graduation rate to evaluate. Nor were figures on chronic absenteeism or discipline available in the source data, so a family considering the school would want to ask about attendance patterns and school climate.
The housing market around the school is relatively affordable. Home values and rents in the area are well below national and state benchmarks, and the average mortgage payment is lower than the typical rent, which could matter for families deciding whether to buy or rent nearby. The broader Memphis context includes notable civic and cultural assets: the city has major parks such as Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River, Shelby Farms Park, and Overton Park, as well as landmarks like the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and FedExForum. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides public bus service.
No data on course offerings, advanced programs, or staffing ratios was available for Sherwood Middle. A middle school of this size might offer some elective or enrichment options, but without evidence, that remains a gap a prospective family would want to investigate. The school’s district is large and has been navigating significant changes, so understanding how those changes affect Sherwood Middle specifically—such as any potential boundary shifts, program additions, or staffing moves—would be a practical next step.
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