Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association Hall · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0Memphis’s public schools score below 62% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Memphis, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Memphis’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 468 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Memphis’s, its schools beat 20%, lower than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,296 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then 11 middle and seven high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Educational Harbor Christian School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Memphis’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Florida school districts, #499 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores are above the Florida average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Memphis, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
Kindergarten in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
1st grade in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
2nd grade in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
3rd grade in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
4th grade in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
5th grade in Memphis
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Grades PK–5 · 614 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Palmetto
Memphis’s public schools are run by Manatee County School District, which also serves Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Bradenton and Holmes Beach and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Memphis vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Memphis’s borders.
Every school in Memphis
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Memphis’s schools
Are Memphis’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Memphis children attend score below 62% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #499 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 20%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Memphis in?
Manatee County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 54,215 students in 80 schools (2024–25).
Where do Memphis kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Lakewood Ranch High School, Parrish Community High School, Palmetto High School, Manatee High School, Braden River High School, Southeast High School and Bayshore High School.
What is Memphis’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Manatee County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Memphis spend per student?
$12,296 in Manatee County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Memphis?
Yes: Educational Harbor Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 60 students).
Parents talk
What Memphis families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Memphis → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.