The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Math. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School
Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School is a charter school in Memphis serving grades six through eight. It operates within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district. The school is small, with an enrollment in the low dozens for its grade band. The student body is predominantly Black, with a much smaller share of Hispanic students and a tiny number of students from other racial groups. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not provided, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these student supports.
On state assessments, the school’s results are low across all tested subjects. Proficiency rates in math, English language arts, science, and social studies all sit well below the midpoint among districts in Shelby County; the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in the county. These are the most recent results for which data was made available. A parent considering this school will want to understand what academic support and intervention structures are in place, especially since the middle school years are a critical window for building foundational skills before high school.
What the data does not show is also worth noting. Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate. Other common metrics such as chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, and staffing ratios were not included in the available information. Without those pieces, a parent’s picture of day-to-day school climate and student engagement is incomplete.
As a charter school, Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School is publicly funded but operates with its own governance and flexibility under its authorizer, the district. That structure can mean a distinct educational approach, though the data provided does not describe any special program focus or curriculum model. The school’s name references business academy, but no specific career or college-readiness program information was included in the data.
The school is located in the Hickory Hill area of Memphis, a large city defined by its riverfront, cultural institutions, and urban parks. Tom Lee Park underwent a substantial renovation in recent years, adding recreational amenities. Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, and Sun Studio are notable landmarks. Public transit is provided by the Memphis Area Transit Authority, with board members appointed by the mayor. This broader city context may matter for families considering daily logistics and community life, but it does not directly describe the school’s internal environment.
We looked for any recent district-level initiatives that might affect this school, such as the Reimagining 901 plan and a property tax referendum, but specific details were not available in the data provided. A parent may want to confirm with the school whether any boundary or program changes are underway.
In sum, Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School is a small, charter middle school with low state test proficiency relative to other Shelby County districts. The available data is thin on student support services and school climate. Families evaluating this school should seek further information directly from the school about academic interventions, special programs, and how the school supports students who are not yet on track in reading and math.
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