The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Math. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus
Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus is a public charter school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Memphis, Tennessee. It is authorized by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, a statewide authorizing body that took over charter school oversight from the State Board of Education in 2021. The school’s enrollment is small for its grade band, concentrated in kindergarten through fifth grade with a pre-K class as well. Its student body is overwhelmingly Black, with very small shares of Hispanic, white, multiracial, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not available, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about those supports.
Academic performance on Tennessee’s state assessments tells a mixed story. On the 2024–2025 TNReady tests, a moderate share of students scored proficient or above in math, while smaller shares did so in English language arts and science. The school’s overall proficiency rate across tested subjects placed it among the lowest quartile when compared to districts across Shelby County. Participation rates on the assessments were very high, meaning the results reflect nearly every tested student. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. A parent considering this school for academic preparation should look into what supports the school provides for students who are not yet meeting state benchmarks and how it tracks growth over time.
The school is located in the Frayser neighborhood of north Memphis, a part of the city with its own distinct character. Housing values in the broader zip code area are well below both the Tennessee state median and the national median, and rents are similarly low relative to national averages. Home values in the area have declined modestly over the past year, while rents have held roughly steady. This pattern suggests a housing market that is more affordable than many parts of the Memphis region, but also one with less upward pressure on prices. The local economy, as measured by the national unemployment rate and mortgage rates, provides a general context of modest stability, though these national figures do not speak directly to the Frayser neighborhood.
Memphis itself is a large city with a dense set of cultural and civic anchors. The Mississippi River defines the western edge, and downtown’s Tom Lee Park underwent a major renovation with ballcourts, 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, the National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music are landmarks that draw visitors and give the city a distinctive identity. The Memphis Public Libraries system and the Memphis Area Transit Authority provide services, though the mayor appoints MATA board members, so transit governance is a city-level matter.
The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, which authorizes Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus, has expanded rapidly in recent years, growing from nine schools in 2023 to seventeen schools by the 2024–2025 school year, serving students across Davidson, Shelby, and Rutherford counties. This growth has opened new charter options in Nashville, Memphis, and Murfreesboro. For a family in north Memphis, the school’s authorization under this commission means it operates outside the traditional Shelby County Schools district structure, with its own charter contract and governance.
Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus is a neighborhood charter elementary school in a part of Memphis where home prices are low and housing is affordable by regional standards. Its academic results on state tests are below the middle of the pack for Shelby County, and parents would want to examine the school’s own data on student progress and classroom supports. The student community is nearly all Black, reflecting the demographics of its Frayser setting. For a family seeking a public charter option in this area, the school offers a small elementary experience with high testing participation and a structured day, though the academic numbers merit a closer look.
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