Harding Academy Competitors

A Major, Urban School District on the Cutting Edge of Closing the Achievement Gap Our Mission Memphis-Shelby County Schools is one of the 25 largest school districts in the nation located in a large city with a hometown feel, Memphis, TN. Here in the Bluff City, we are dedicated to preparing all students for success in learning, leadership, and life. • Our promise is that by 2025, 80% of our students will be college & career ready, 90% will graduate high school, and 100% of graduates will enroll in post-secondary education. • Our work is deeply rooted in the belief that every child is capable of learning and that education is the great equalizer. With 84% of all students considered economically disadvantaged, Memphis-Shelby County Schools truly is a place where progressive leaders in education can make a difference in the lives of our country’s most underserved children. Our Future Though our challenges are significant, we are a district on the rise. • Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been a level 5 growth district—the highest achievable level in TN--for the past three years. • Memphis-Shelby County Schools has seen district-wide math proficiency scores double in the past three years. • Memphis-Shelby County Schools I-Zone schools were once performing in the bottom 5% of TN, and are now making significant gains towards the goal of performing amongst the top 25% within five years. We are a district committed to progressive strategies and practices that promote student achievement. We do this by ensuring that every classroom has an effective teacher and every school is operated by staff and leaders committed to excellence.

Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis, Tenn.) is a coeducational, PK2–12 International Baccalaureate World School serving a globally diverse student body from over 75 countries. One-third of students are foreign nationals, reflecting the school’s mission to prepare each student for college and life in a global environment. Through rigorous academics, ethical standards, and student-centered teaching, Lausanne fosters intellect, creativity, and character in every learner. Learn more at lausanneschool.com. Lausanne enjoys the reputation of having a premiere combination of excellent academic, athletic, and artistic programs. The success of the nurturing environment created by "The Lausanne Way" and the unique process approach to education offered through Lausanne’s innovative, student-centered, college preparatory, and global education for boys and girls has resulted in tremendous success for our graduates.

Briarcrest makes extensive use of technology and has one of the most robust technology infrastructures in the Memphis school community. We have over 800 computing devices available for student use in connection with instructional activities. These include a wide variety of devices ranging from powerful desktops, touch-screens, laptops and iPads. These are available in a variety of venues that optimize instructional benefit, including computer labs, stations in the libraries and classroom, and carts that teachers bring into the classrooms when needed. To prepare our high school students in college math, our Pre-Calculus program uses an innovative blended program that blends an online college-level program with in-class traditional instruction. Additionally, our Geometry students have teacher-made podcasts available for the review of difficult concepts. Our fine arts department has put all of their sheet music on student iPads. These are great examples of how our focus is always on the best functionality for instruction, not just using technology for technology's sake. Briarcrest is a college preparatory school. While many college students use a computing device in the course of a day's academic pursuits, most college professors do not care whether or not students use one in the classroom. The same is true at Briarcrest. If a student works best in class on a computing device, that's fine. If a student prefers taking notes with pen a paper, that's fine too. Technology is simply one tool for learning. The tool is not important. The best vehicle for each individual student's learning is what matters. High school and, to a more controlled degree, Middle school students may bring their own laptops or other approved devices to school to use. Based on our observations, the percentage of students who do so is similar to the percentage of students who do so in college classrooms. That is what one would expect in a college prep school. At Briarcrest, the best curriculum drives the instructional decisions, not simply what ...