Thirteen schools in Tennessee’s largest district were among 169 honored on Friday as the state released its first list of “reward” schools since 2015.
The Department of Education annually releases its reward list, which comprises the state’s top 5 percent of schools for academic achievement and the top 5 percent for annual growth.
Here are the 13 from Shelby County Schools, including four charter schools authorized by the district:
- Maxine Smith STEAM Academy
- Germantown High
- Egypt Elementary
- Hamilton Elementary
- Newberry Elementary
- Oakhaven Middle
- Whitehaven High
- Westhaven Elementary
- Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High
- Freedom Preparatory Academy
- Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School
- Memphis Rise Academy
- Middle College High
See all 169 schools honored here.
“These schools represent what is possible for students in Tennessee as they exemplify excellence in performance or progress and in some cases, both,” Commissioner Candice McQueen said in a release. “We want to replicate this success across the state and continue to celebrate the hard work of our educators and students happening in classrooms every day.”
Shelby County Schools joined more than 60 districts to earn the distinction. Three of Shelby County’s six municipal school districts were included as well: Arlington, Bartlett and Collierville.
This is the first list of state reward schools since 2015, when 170 schools were recognized. A 2016 list wasn’t created due to a lack of state test score results after some exams were canceled amid technical difficulties.
Editor’s notes: A previous version of the story mistakenly left Middle College High off of the list of Shelby County schools honored.