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2020 Best Public High Schools in Shelby CountyAbout this List

The 2020 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 53
Best Schools
53 results

  1. Houston High School

    • Germantown, TN
    • 9-12
    • 303 reviews
    #1 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: For a public school, the education at Houston is top of the line. It's as a simple as that the test scores, the culture of the school, and the teachers are all phenomenal not only by Memphis and Tennessee public school standards but on a national level. While the campus itself is due for upgrades, these are in the planning stages and likely to come sooner than later. Overall, Houston is one of the finest schools in the Memphis area, both public and private, by any measure. Go Mustangs!
    Read 303 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,883 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Collierville High School

    • Collierville Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 114 reviews
    #2 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: Collierville High has become a place of immense growth for me in the past four years. I am finishing up my senior year and realizing just how much my high school prepared me for college academically and emotionally. The teachers and staff are quick to help with anything they can, and genuinely care about their students. The classes offered provide the students with rigorous coursework to challenge each individual. The building is beautiful and offers hundreds of extracurriculars and volunteer opportunities for its students as well. There are so many ways to be involved!
    Read 114 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,397 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. White Station High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 506 reviews
    #3 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: My favorite thing about White Station is it’s diversity. That is mine number one selling point whenever I talk to other people about my school. A blend of cultures, backgrounds, and colors. It has opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity within the human race.

    The academics are what you make it. You can make it really easy, but you can also take the opportunity to challenge yourself. The AP classes and teachers definitely prepare you for college. Many White Station alumni say their freshman year in college was a breeze because of their experience at White Station.

    I am proud to be a spartan!
    Read 506 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,246 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Arlington High School

    • Arlington Community Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 62 reviews
    #4 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: Arlington High School is a great place with high academics. They provide many clubs that will fit anyone on campus, and the school offers many resources to help students advance their learning. Arlington is a prideful school, and we do well in sports and many other things. The one thing I’d probably change is college readiness because while the school does have high academics that challenges you, it sometimes will not challenge you in a way to prepare you for certain things in college. All in all, pretty good school!
    Read 62 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,034 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Middle College High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 123 reviews
    #5 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Freshman: Middle College High School has been an amazing experience. Everyday that I wake up I am excited to go to my school. Considering we are a smaller school, everyone is like a family there. The bonds and relationships made there are the type you keep for life. The coursework is filled with rigor, which is amazing for top-notch students. AP and DE(Dual Enrollment) classes are offered inside of the school. DE courses are also offered at Christian Brothers University. There is truly no school that I'd rather be at than Middle College High School.
    Read 123 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 300 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Bartlett High School

    • Bartlett City Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 307 reviews
    #6 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: I have had a very good experience with Bartlett High School. I attended a different high school for my freshman year, and was not happy. I transferred to Bartlett High the summer between freshman and sophomore year, and it was the best decision I could have made concerning my high school career. I have had the opportunity to take, and succeed in, many AP courses, and have also been involved with various school clubs and groups. I am so glad I chose Bartlett High School!
    Read 307 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,812 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Germantown High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 7-12
    • 432 reviews
    #7 Best Public High Schools in Shelby County

    Senior: I want to say that I have learned a lot at Germantown High School. This school has allowed me to understand the critical nature of self-awareness of one's strengths ,development needs, and the impact of one's own behavior on others. I have learned the ability to be able to take actions to be a better individual throughout daily living and learning. Also, an understanding of continual personal growth is necessary and is actively using a process to ensure development and growth. The nature of personal knowledge is understanding critical nature of personal leadership by using examples of levels of engagement to encourage others.
    Read 432 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,093 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Freedom Preparatory Academy- Flagship Middle School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 3-12
    • 31 reviews

    Junior: At Freedom Preparatory Academy, I enjoyed the privilege of learning college level material during my high school year. This school allowed me to really indulge myself in every aspect of my life not just academically, but activities outside of school. My experience at FPA was great because I learned many things that will prepare me for not only college but my life after a four year institution. Lastly, this school allowed and is also preparing me to excel in college and in life.
    Read 31 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 664 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Central High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 8-12
    • 270 reviews

    Senior: From being a Freshman till my Senior year, there was a lot of interesting moments that happened. From having fun and meeting new friends to sometimes getting tired of class. There’s a lot of diversity to this high school and I would not want it to change a bit. I’m not gonna sugarcoat this and say your every days will always be fun, sometimes you want to give up certain classes because of the teachers or classmates. I can’t speak for everyone but whether you enjoyed your experiences or not, you’ll certainly will make a lot of memories there.
    Read 270 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,647 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Soulsville Charter School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 5-12
    • 80 reviews

    Senior: Overall, my experience was great, most teachers want to see you succeed and will help you in any way possible in order to be successful. They also look out for behavorial issues and try to avoid problems like bullying which is a major problem in most schools in Memphis. They also try to incorporate fun incentives like end of year trips and activities during school for people who demonstrate good behavior. Only thing that could be changed would be better quality food and more food options for people who have a special diet. Sometimes the food can be repetitive and thrown together.
    Read 80 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 646 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Millington High School

    • Millington, TN
    • 9-12
    • 205 reviews

    Senior: I enjoy Millington Central High School. Ever since attending as a freshman in 2016, I have done nothing but grow. The teachers and faculty are amazing. This is the first school I've been to that the faculty actually cares about your progress and where you end up in life. They also ensure you have all the help you need to get to the college of your dreams and make the process extremely easy. They also provide free food to all the students which benefits everyone. The coaches at Millington also push you to accel past your limits and achieve feats you never thought possible; the coaches not only teach you to be the best athlete you can be, they teach you how to be the best man/women you could be.
    Read 205 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 938 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Memphis Business Academy High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 8-12
    • 90 reviews

    Senior: Memphis Business Academy is very good school. The administration helps the students prepare for the ACT. Some of the English teachers have ACT prep classes. Although they don't have some classes to help prepare us for some careers, they do as much as they can. The teachers and administration are pushing the students to attend college. Some teachers give projects for the students to do on colleges; it usually involves a lot of research. The teachers and administration really care about your future; they want you to take pride in whatever you do.
    Read 90 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 420 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Hollis F. Price Middle College High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 82 reviews

    Freshman: Hollis F. Price Middle College High School gives you opportunities to reach for the stars and attain your dreams. It does push your limits and its more work and challenging.But, one thing that I can say for my time their it is worth it and it will get you far. The environment is very calm, friendly, and peaceful. I love that you can walk around the campus because it gives you experience of being on an college campus and the walking is great exercise. Some of the things that I wish I could change are some of the rules, like not being able to have your phone on campus you have to turn it in, and the work load because the teachers don't talk to each other when giving out work so it will be times when you will have to projects due at the same time... which gets stressful to be able to turn in your work. But, overall Hollis F. Price Middle College High School is great place to learn and accomplish dreams.
    Read 82 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 111 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Whitehaven High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 8-12
    • 404 reviews

    Senior: The Graphs of Exponential functions can be easily drawn by using three points on the X-Axis and three points on the Y-Axis.Polynomial functions contain no discontinuities in their behavior, have distinct slopes and features, and have end behaviors that approach infinity.The graphs of the trigonometric functions are plots of points whose coordinates are (x, f (x)), with x being an angle measured in radians.
    Read 404 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,696 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Overton High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 294 reviews

    Junior: Generally, I like Overton, the first school I have attended since I came to the United States. Everything is fine in this school, except the part that some students’ behaviors. If I could change something, I would like to change the rest rooms. Some rest rooms are really old in my opinion. Additionally, I wish people would do something differently with the NEW left-over food. Because I see people throwing unopened milk boxes every day, and that annoys me a lot. Anyway, I still like my school and my wonderful teachers!
    Read 294 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,208 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Power Center Academy High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • PK, K-12
    • 79 reviews

    Senior: I have been attending Power Center Academy High School for 2 years now. It has been a great experience so far. I am happy to say i will be graduating PCAHS on may 15,2020. The thing that stands out the most from my school is that teachers really do show their students they care for their future and grades. I have been to 3 different schools do to moving and i can say PCA is by far the most comfortable school i have attended. I am not afraid to ask questions or tell a teacher i am having trouble with a subject, not only that but i also feel good with asking them about any situation outside of school. One thing i would change is probably helping the school better themselves becuase they are an independent school who gets their money from sponser. I would want for the school to be see as the same level as the others schools next to us.
    Read 79 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 725 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Bolton High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 7-12
    • 291 reviews

    Senior: Personally I like the evolution of Bolton. We have had our fair share of trials, but it can be said that the staff is doing everything in their power to change Bolton for the better! I personally believe that they could improve on the structure of the schedule as well as having more diverse clubs for the students to participate in. Other than that, Bolton is a pretty good school.
    Read 291 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,399 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Cordova High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 4-12
    • 323 reviews

    Junior: Hi, My names Keniah Wallace I’ve attended Cordova High for 3 years now. The experience is Great, the administration walks you through everything you need in order to graduate/ succeed. What i like about Cordova high is that, the teachers talk to me like i’m their child. Most of them guide me in the right paths, some even joke around with me a little. I would highly recommend Cordova High as a well performance school.
    Read 323 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,376 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Memphis Academy of Science Engineering Middle/High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • K-12
    • 56 reviews

    Senior: My short experience at Memphis Academy of science and Engineering was a great 3 years of my highschool. The teachers taught me more then I knew before enetering the school I was lost because if the public schools I cam from really wasnt teaching, caring, or focusing in the students. My school have lost of clubs or activities you can join during or after school hours such as Smith & Nephew, Moore Tech, and STEM with are all internships for only high school students. Those three internships are helpful for us because many students graduate from high school without a jobs but working for those three internships provide jobs when you graduate from high school.
    Read 56 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 482 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  24. KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 5-12
    • 39 reviews

    Junior: KMCH has a very good mission in preparing their students for college. The workload is almost parallel to the work that colleges give students so they are preparing us for the workload of college. However, if the variety of classes offered could be expanded then KIPP could be better.
    Read 39 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 484 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Booker T. Washington Middle & High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 5-12
    • 7 reviews

    Senior: When I first attended BTW i was nervous like any other person would, but I was prepare for anything that came in my way. I can say BTW is fun and helpful but I do have my days where i have tough time and people to deal with. Throughout the year I have been there i gain a lot and of knowledge and made good friend along the ways. Every since the middle schoolers came it just been a setback for me. Its hard to focus around them because its like I'm at the zoo. But I deal with them because I want to succeed to a better place like to my future self in being a vet. tech. I want change anything because Booker T. Washington Middle/High School is my family no-matter if i don't know them i still love everyone their.
    Read 7 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 593 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Kingsbury High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 153 reviews

    High School Senior: I've attended Kingsbury for almost practically almost all my years being in school starting from 3rd grade elementary to this very day.The schools are all connected and close to each other so me and my brothers didn't hesitate on transportation to diffrent schools in Memphis. I've had amazing and enjoyable momments here,but as well including the bad and heartbroken momments. Meeting people from all different cultural backgrounds is what Kingsbury is all about! In a world were we are judged by the race,gender, by the color of our skin, I feel that Kingsbury has made me realize how people could be so decieving and wrong in rejecting the abilities of my colleagues. Together in Unitity we are stronger and have a Pacific goal for ourselves and the future of our country.As I grow up I feel the attachment with my friends and fellow colleagues,if it wasn't for them , my hole perspective on life would've been scarce and soggy.Our Falcon pride lifts with open wings and strive with nothing but excellence. Every child deserved a successful future. Even to those who are never to confident to believe it for himself/herself. This journey I've traveled was a bumpy one but I've learned so much out of it and its all thanks to the school I've attended. The love I've recieved from my teachers and mentors is more but the best education I can ever recieve.
    Read 153 Reviews

    • C-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,348 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Ridgeway High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 225 reviews

    Senior: Ridgeway High School is a very great school to attend! They have wonderful teachers that are willing too help. Therefore, what i would like to see change about Ridgeway High School is the food in the cafeteria. Being a student at Ridgeway High School and seeing the food can be very nasty.
    Read 225 Reviews

    • C-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,285 Students
    • 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Memphis Academy of Health Sciences High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 7-12
    • 75 reviews

    Senior: I really love Memphis Academy of Health Science high school; the amount of support is great and really convenient for us as students because we always have someone to turn to when times get difficult. On top of that, MAHS focuses on health studies which is very important to some students because someday they hope to start a career in the health sciences field. Overall MAHS is a great school and I highly recommend it to others.
    Read 75 Reviews

    • C-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 438 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Douglass High School

    • Shelby County Schools, TN
    • 9-12
    • 46 reviews

    Senior: Douglass High School is a very academicly challenging school. Althought this is a fact, teachers are caring and open to their student. The school's administration is always open to hear suggestions from students and are creative in incitives for student. Douglass is a place of norm rigorous learning and a community that shares love and knowledge.
    Read 46 Reviews

    • C-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 480 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Sponsored

    Fairfax Christian School

    • Private School
    • Dulles, VA
    • PK, K-12
    • 32 reviews

    Parent: The biblical foundation of this school is second to none and the academics are superb. My child is learning far more than he would have at the public school and being taught in a very structured environment has been a huge positive for his development. However, it's very international, and in the upper school almost entirely, which to me doesn't define "diversity". Once the kids age, the structure is almost too much if you're looking for a well-rounded child. Things like the music program, sports, and clubs could be much better. While the education for now is my top priority, I will not stay here as my son ages.
    Read 32 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 296 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  35. Sponsored

    The Steward School

    • Private School
    • Richmond, VA
    • PK, K-12
    • 36 reviews

    Senior: Steward has been a great decision on where to go to high school for me! I was in a large public school before I came here. Being in the small, private school environment of Steward, I have been able to thrive. Teachers are extremely helpful and want you to succeed. Students welcome new peers. The facilities are unparalleled, and the sports teams are amazing considering how small we are.
    Read 36 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 670 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Baylor School

    • Private School
    • Chattanooga, TN
    • 6-12
    • 132 reviews

    Freshman: I love Baylor! I enjoy the smaller class size, extracurricular activities and the support that I have on campus and in my living learning dorm. I have made many friends. The campus is easy to get around - no need for bus or really even a bike. I love the excitement on campus and the school spirit - Sic'Em Bears! I have enjoyed my classes especially the leadership classes. My professors always make time for students and the have many academic resources on campus to assist with homework and your classes. They also provide resources for personal support if needed. Everyone at Baylor wants you to succeed! It is easy to get involved in various activities and I have enjoyed many football games, basketball games and volley ball games.
    Read 132 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,048 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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