The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Perea Elementary School
Perea Elementary School is a public charter school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. It operates within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district and draws its enrollment from the surrounding neighborhood near Vollintine Avenue, in the northern part of the city.
On the Tennessee state assessments, known as TNReady, Perea’s students recorded proficiency rates that vary by subject. In English language arts, roughly half of students met or exceeded the state’s proficiency benchmark, a level that is higher than the school’s performance in math and science, where the proportion of students reaching the proficient mark was lower. When compared with other elementary schools across Shelby County, Perea’s overall proficiency across all tested subjects sits below the midpoint of the county’s districts. The school’s participation rates on the assessments were very high, a positive sign that nearly all enrolled students were tested.
The student body is heavily concentrated in one racial demographic: nearly all of the roughly 400 students are Black. A small number of students are Hispanic or identify with two or more races. Data on students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, on students receiving special education services, and on English learners were not available, so a full picture of the school’s support needs is incomplete. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these populations. As an elementary school, Perea does not have a graduation rate or measures of chronic absenteeism in the data, which is typical for a school serving only primary grades.
Perea’s status as a charter school is a key part of its identity. Charter schools in Tennessee operate with greater autonomy from the district in exchange for accountability under their authorizer. The school’s specific program offerings were not included in the available information, so it is unclear what academic or enrichment specializations, if any, the school emphasizes.
The housing market in the zip code area around the school shows home values that are relatively modest, and rents are below the national average. The broader context of Memphis provides a range of community resources: the Mississippi riverfront, major parks like Shelby Farms and Overton Park, cultural institutions such as the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and professional sports at the FedExForum. Public transit is provided by MATA bus service. These amenities are part of the city landscape but not necessarily within walking distance of the school.
The district, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, has been engaged in a planning process called Reimagining 901 that involves school closures and consolidations, and a property tax referendum was on the ballot in recent years. What impact those efforts have on Perea’s operations or its enrollment zone is not detailed in the data. A family considering this school would want to understand the charter’s relationship with the district and any implications for future stability.
Perea Elementary is a neighborhood charter school whose academic results reflect a mixed picture. The strength in English language arts stands out relative to math and science, but overall proficiency is below many other Shelby County elementary schools. The school serves a predominantly Black student body, and the lack of data on economic disadvantage and special populations means a parent will need to gather that information directly. The school’s size is manageable for its grade band, and its charter status offers a distinct governance model within a large urban district.
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