University Schools Updates

Among the Best: Campus School Receives Blue Ribbon Status

The University of Memphis Campus School was recently designated an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School. One of the highest honors from the U.S. Department of Education, this designation is awarded to just 362 schools nationwide.

Campus School, which was selected for the first time ever, was the only elementary school in West Tennessee to receive the honor in 2019.

“This is a tremendous testament to the hard work and persistence happening each day at Campus School,” said Sally Parish, associate vice president for Educational Initiatives. “Our faculty, staff, students, parents, campus and district partners all contribute to the success of this school, and we are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Consideration for Blue Ribbon status is contingent on a nomination from the state department of education, and qualifying schools must meet specific criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education. The award is given based on academic excellence or progress closing student achievement gaps.

Campus School is regularly recognized for its exceptional test scores, which consistently top district ratings. Last spring, 74% of Campus School students scored proficient in reading and writing compared to 21% of students in the district overall and 34% across the State of Tennessee.

Operated by the University, the school exposes its students to dynamic and engaging instruction through research-based practices and various campus and community partnerships.

“As a University-sponsored Shelby County School, we are excited about the opportunity to share this partnership nationally so that other schools around the country may consider ways to implement this model in their communities,” Parish said. “This partnership is one of the unique strengths of Campus School, and we appreciate the support that we have at the University and district levels.”

Campus School previously received state honors as a Reward School (top 5%) from 2011-15 and in 2018.

University Schools Expanding

Campus School and the Early Learning & Research Center have been part of the University of Memphis since the 1950s. In September, the educational community grew as University Middle opened its doors to 74 sixth graders.

Plans are in place for University Middle to add seventh and eighth grades in the future. At its meeting in September, the University of Memphis Board of Trustees approved the purchase of property at Audubon Park Baptist Church and three adjacent residential parcels north of Park Avenue to accommodate the additional grades and future expansion of a University high school. The permanent location will be an extension of the Park Avenue Campus.

Currently, University Middle is housed at East High School. On Fridays, the sixth graders begin their day on the UofM campus in the McWherter Library to work in small groups as part of their project-based learning exploratory curriculum.

University Middle has four full-time faculty teaching core subjects of English, social studies, science and math. Adjunct faculty from the UofM teach additional classes in world languages, art, music, dance, creative writing, debate, advanced math and advanced computer science.