The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Social studies. The lowest is 20% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee
Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee is a charter school in Memphis serving grades six through twelve, though currently the enrollment data shows students in grades six, seven, and eight only, so the high school grades may be planned for future years or the school may be growing into its full grade span. It operates within the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district.
The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and small numbers of students who are white or of two or more races. Free or reduced-price lunch data was not available, which is a gap for understanding the economic profile of the families. Special education and English learner counts were also not reported. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these support services.
Academically, state testing results from the TNReady assessments present a clear picture. In math, roughly a quarter of students scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, that figure was about one in five. Science proficiency was higher, reaching just over a third of students, and social studies was the strongest tested subject, with nearly half of students meeting the proficient benchmark. The school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Shelby County. This is an important data point for a family to weigh.
The school reports full participation in testing, so the results reflect nearly the entire student body. The comparison set is a school-level proficiency index relative to other districts in Shelby County, not a direct school-to-school comparison, but it gives a sense of where this school's academic performance stands within the broader county context. A parent considering this school would want to look closely at how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level and what academic interventions or enrichment are available.
Housing context in the surrounding area shows home values and rents that are below the state and national benchmarks, and monthly mortgage costs are moderately higher than typical rents, which suggests that owning a home in this part of Memphis is somewhat more expensive than renting. The local unemployment rate and median household income align closely with national figures.
The city of Memphis offers a wide range of civic and cultural resources. Tom Lee Park, a downtown riverfront park, underwent a major renovation in 2023 and now includes ballcourts, walkable trails, and bike stands. Shelby Farms Park in East Memphis is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Overton Park in midtown houses the Memphis Zoo and sits next to Rhodes College. Beale Street is a historic cultural anchor. The Memphis Area Transit Authority provides public bus service, with board members appointed by the mayor. Cultural landmarks include the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. FedExForum downtown hosts the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Mississippi River itself is a defining geographic feature and civic anchor.
The district brief indicates that Memphis-Shelby County Schools has undergone school closures under the Reimagining 901 plan, and there has been a recent referendum on property taxes. These district-level changes could affect school assignments, funding, and the broader educational landscape in which this charter school operates. A family looking at this school should consider how these district shifts might impact the charter's relationship with the district, its facilities, or its enrollment pool.
Overall, Freedom Prep Middle - Brownlee serves a diverse middle-school population in a city with rich cultural and recreational resources. The academic proficiency rates are low relative to other Shelby County districts, particularly in math and English language arts. Families who value a charter school setting and are comfortable with the current performance profile would want to investigate the school's academic support structures and future plans for high school grades before enrolling.
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