The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Science. The lowest is 10% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Power Center Academy Elementary School
Power Center Academy Elementary School is a public charter school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools system but operates with its own governing structure as a charter, meaning families choose to send their children here rather than being assigned by a neighborhood boundary. The school enrolls a substantial student body for an elementary school, with multiple sections at each grade level. Its student population is predominantly Black, with a significant Hispanic share, while students who are white, Asian, or of other backgrounds make up a very small fraction.
On state assessments administered under Tennessee’s TNReady program in the most recent testing year, student performance placed the school in the bottom quartile when compared across Shelby County school districts. In math, science, and English language arts, the share of students reaching the proficient level or above was below the county median. Math and science had roughly comparable proficiency rates, while reading lagged behind. History and social studies data are available only from an earlier testing cycle that used a different assessment, making direct comparison unreliable. Notably, participation rates on the tests were close to complete, so the results reflect nearly the entire student body rather than a selected subset. A parent considering this school would want to discuss with the administration how the school addresses academic performance and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting state benchmarks.
The school does not report data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, nor on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners. These are meaningful gaps for families who need to understand the level of additional support their child might expect. Because it is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate, and metrics such as chronic absenteeism are not available in this profile. Staffing ratios, discipline rates, and course offerings also are not reported.
The housing context for the zip code this school draws from shows home values that are modest relative to both the state and national averages, and rental prices are moderate. Affordability is fairly balanced compared to typical household incomes in the broader economy, though the local market has seen a slight softening. Families moving to the area should expect a range of older single-family homes and apartment complexes typical of a suburban corridor in the greater Memphis area.
Memphis itself offers a number of publicly reported amenities that may matter to families, including large urban parks such as Shelby Farms and Overton Park, the downtown riverfront Tom Lee Park recently redeveloped with trails and recreation spaces, and cultural institutions like the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and the Memphis Zoo. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides bus service across the city, though many families rely on cars for the school commute. The school is located on South Mendenhall Road in a commercial-residential area of the city.
This school fits a family who is actively choosing a charter option within Memphis and wants an elementary setting with a large, diverse student body. The academic picture is one where state test results are below average for the county, and a parent would be wise to ask the school directly about its curriculum, intervention strategies, and how it measures growth beyond a single test score. The absence of data on economic need and special programs means families with children who have individualized education plans or are learning English should contact the school to understand what services are actually provided. For a family focused primarily on academic proficiency as measured by state standards, this school would require careful due diligence.
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