Memphis City Schools not as bad as you guys make out (Central: crime, houses) - City-Data Forum

ktCakes · 11-25-2009, 12:16 AM

I've been fretting about how to pay for private schools for my kids, but once I actually researched the schools around my husband's new job in Midtown, I literally laughed out loud. There are several top ranked public elementary and middle schools in the area. What a relief! All of the houses we have been looking at are in these schools' boundaries. I have scheduled tours of several of them and look forward to choosing one of the Memphis City Public Schools. While there are lots of bad choices, there are lots of good ones, too. Check it out!

Schools in Memphis City Schools | GreatSchools

Schools in Memphis City Schools | GreatSchools

lisake · 11-25-2009, 03:08 AM

I know several people with kids at Idlewild and they all love it. Great principal and teachers, very involved parents and a community that cares. If I were to move back to Memphis, I'd probably buy around Idlewild and send my kids there.

I've always heard good things about Snowden too, but I'm not as familiar with it. My daughter attended kindergarten at Sea Isle (in East Memphis) before we relocated, and it was wonderful. Quite frankly, she received much better instruction there (from a great teacher with a master's degree) than she is at her Blue Ribbon school in South Carolina.

JMT · 11-25-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktCakes

I've been fretting about how to pay for private schools for my kids, but once I actually researched the schools around my husband's new job in Midtown, I literally laughed out loud. There are several top ranked public elementary and middle schools in the area. What a relief! All of the houses we have been looking at are in these schools' boundaries. I have scheduled tours of several of them and look forward to choosing one of the Memphis City Public Schools. While there are lots of bad choices, there are lots of good ones, too. Check it out!

Schools in Memphis City Schools | GreatSchools

Schools in Memphis City Schools | GreatSchools

I don't recall anyone ever saying that all of the schools in Memphis are bad. In earlier threads people have said that Snowden and Idlewild are pretty good elementary schools. I used to live by Idlewild and loved the neighborhood.

But half of the failing schools in the entire state are in Memphis. With 110,000 students, MCS is a bloated school system that has, by far, the worst schools in the state. There are a few hidden pearls in the system (such as Idlewild and Snowden), but they are definitely the exception rather than the rule.

At any rate, congrats on living in Midtown! It's my favorite area of Memphis, and I hope you'll love living there as much as I did.

Pearlbob · 11-25-2009, 07:14 AM

While there are a few good schools in the city, 95% are bad. So for someone moving from out of state, who has no knowledge of the area and the system, it's easier to give a generalization and suggest either moving to a suburb, or going to private.

Even knowing the good ones, I don't think I would want to mess with it. I'd rather take the easy road and go into a system that was overall much better (my opinion).

ktCakes · 11-25-2009, 07:41 AM

oh I don't doubt that the system overall is a mess. Again, I'm coming from St. Louis where the schools have been taken over by the state and been de-certified. My point was simply that the overall impression given by many people on this board is that you can't send your kids to any of the schools. I was simply giving a pat on the back where it is due. And making it a bit less scary for those moving into the area.

(901) · 11-25-2009, 08:37 AM

Live hear 6 months, then come back and let us see how you feel

maximus10 · 11-25-2009, 08:49 AM

When I talk about Memphis City Schools I mean high schools. I really don't know about the elementary and middle schools. This is strictly my opinion on this, but the only two city schools I would send kids too would be White Station High and maybe Cordova High. Those two are pretty much like Shelby County Schools. They may also be the only city schools that offer AP courses as well. Just like Pearlbob said, there are some real gems inside the Memphis City Schools system. Those being the ones you mentioned and a few others.

DubbleT · 11-25-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktCakes

oh I don't doubt that the system overall is a mess. Again, I'm coming from St. Louis where the schools have been taken over by the state and been de-certified. My point was simply that the overall impression given by many people on this board is that you can't send your kids to any of the schools. I was simply giving a pat on the back where it is due. And making it a bit less scary for those moving into the area.

You didn't get the memo? Apparently it's acceptable to try to refute the stereotype that that Memphis is a crime infested pit that nobody in their right mind would want to live in, but defending MCS, not so acceptable. I often wonder why so many people keep insisting that private or county schools are the ONLY way to go, instead of making Memphis itself more desirable by playing up the good schools that are there. You have to dig a little to find the truly good MCS schools, but don't most concerned parents dig to find good schools anywhere, even at the private schools?
Kudos to you ktCakes for doing your research and not buying into the stereotype. I hope you find a school that meets all your needs.

Maximus, Ridgeway High has an optional program, college prep, and they offer IB classes. They still are behind White Station as far as academic rewards, number of college scholarships granted, etc., but they are definitely starting to catch up to the White Station reputation. A lot of parents in MCS are choosing to put their college bound kids into Ridgeway.

maximus10 · 11-25-2009, 10:28 AM

Dubble T....you are right. I should have said Ridgeway High as well. Maybe even Central High in a way. This is a weird thing to try to explain to people when folks move here. There is no denying the fact the Memphis City Schools overall, are bad. You do have exceptions in the system though. Those being Ridgeway, White Station, Cordova, and maybe Central. Along with some elementary and middle schools. But when folks move here and compare them to Shelby County Schools, it is a hard thing to overlook. Like I said, it can be a bit confusing b/c of the way things are structured. No one on here wants to give out bad advice when it comes to education. That's probably why there is that preconceived notion that gets passed along.

strumpeace · 11-25-2009, 11:02 AM

There are exceptions to most every rule, of course. However, I would never make a recommendation based on an exception. Overall, MCS is a terrible, awful district. When folks come on here for advice, we could easily tell them to chase the right district lines or plan to stand in line for hours on end to get their children into a school clear across town. But I won't do that. It's a shame that newcomers are expected to jump through hoops just to find that one needle in the haystack.