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City University School of Liberal Arts

Charter | 9-12 | 334 students

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About the school

Memphis's City University School of Liberal Arts is a charter school serving 334 students in grades 9-12.

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Community ratings

5 stars

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i enjoyed my daughter attending city university. her grades was somu better...
I have a student at CU and I am aware that most of their teachers are not...
I have a current Junior at City U. They were afforded a wonderful opportunity...
I just attend City University this year and I already love it. I am learning...
My child attends the all boys prep middle school. I was blown away at open...

Student diversity

94% of students at this school are Black.

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District information

Memphis

Number of schools:

198

Grades:

PK-12

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Last modified May 16, 2013

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Community Rating

5 stars

Based on 11 ratings

Community Rating by Year

2013:

Based on 1 rating

2012:

No new ratings

2011:

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2010:

Based on 1 rating

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

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Teacher quality

Teacher quality

These ratings reflect parents’ or students’ overall experience with the school’s teachers. Among other things, great teachers:

Talk to parents regularly about their children's progress.
Challenge students to learn.
Give students the attention they need to thrive in class.

Principal leadership

Principal leadership
This is an assessment of the principal, or other leadership, at the school. Among other things, strong principals or school leaders:

Reach out to parents.
Listen to and answer questions from parents and students.
Make efforts to improve the quality of the school.

Parent involvement

Parent involvement
A supportive community — which includes active, involved parents — is one mark of a great school. This rating reflects to what degree the school:

Offers opportunities for parent involvement.
Encourages all parents to volunteer.
Treats parents like partners, not outsiders.

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9 reviews of this school

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Show reviews by: ParentsStudents

Posted Thursday, May 16, 2013

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i enjoyed my daughter attending city university. her grades was somu better with the one on one teaching and the after school tutoring. i love the small setting in the classrooms and the staff was so attentive to my child's needs, but due to personal obligations i had to transfer her out to another school that did not fit her capabilities of of o great student. i have reapplied fo city for her to come back the next school term in augt. 2013. i am looking foward to her becoming a student . thank you so much please consider my child.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted September 27, 2010

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I have a student at CU and I am aware that most of their teachers are not certified! I am not pleased with this school where the Administration use inappropriate language toward the students also the inconsistency with different school policies and with such huge turn-over s. I've not had a great experience with CU. So unprofessional.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted January 25, 2010

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I have a current Junior at City U. They were afforded a wonderful opportunity to travel to several different colleges for a tour. They went to TSU, MTSU, Spellman and Morehouse. City does prep the scholars for college. They are well informed before graduation. I love it!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted October 3, 2009

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I just attend City University this year and I already love it. I am learning so much. You will make a good choice if your child attend this school.
—Submitted by a student

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Posted September 25, 2009

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My child attends the all boys prep middle school. I was blown away at open house last night with the technology and structure of the school. They use SmartBoard which allows the teacher to go over the assignments from the lab top. My son loves the school and this is the first time he has ever come home talking about what he did at school that day. They still have more openings if you want to enroll your son. It's really a private education for free. I highly recommend it.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted August 10, 2009

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City University is a great school. My daughter has become more than I could have imagine and more. The staff do the best they can to care for each scholar as an individual. This is the school that make you feel like family. Your scholar will learn academics and social skills to prepare them to become productive citzens and leaders. You will not go wrong if you choose CU!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted April 21, 2009

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City University School is one of the grestest school. They make sure the scholars are ready for college. It is one of the most safety school in the city.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted September 16, 2008

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My daughter graduated from this school in '08..I cound not have made a better chioce for my childs future. If you are looking to send your child to a school where there's no structure and the children run the school and education is not of any importance and parental involvement is not required...well, City University is not the school for you or your child. Might want to try any MCS. With the support of the staff I have seen my child blossom over the last 4 years...I could not be a more proud parent. Thank You CUS for your support over the years...I only hope that other parents take advantage of what this school has to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted July 28, 2007

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City University was an outstanding choice for my daughter. I have seen her growth and development from the ninth grade up to now, her senior year. All of it is due to the school and their commitment to the 'scholars'.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

Test scores
Ratings details

See results for:

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 62% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Algebra II

The state average for Algebra II was 69% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 66% in 2012.

28 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

14%

2011

26%

English 2

The state average for English 2 was 23% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

English 3

The state average for English 3 was 2% in 2012.

2012

n/a

English I

The state average for English I was 67% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Tennessee used the Gateway/End-of-Course (EOC) exams to test high school students in language arts, math, science, and social studies upon completion of relevant courses. Students must pass the algebra I, English II, and biology I tests, called the Gateway exams, in order to graduate. This year, Tennessee introduced two new exams in algebra II and English III, and those results are included on the GreatSchools profile as well. The Gateway/EOC exams are standards-based tests that measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of Tennessee. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 19% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Algebra II

The state average for Algebra II was 55% in 2012.

21 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

10%

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 49% in 2012.

66 students were tested at this school in 2012.

English 2

The state average for English 2 was 63% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

English 3

The state average for English 3 was 10% in 2012.

2012

n/a

English I

The state average for English I was 27% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 20% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Algebra II

The state average for Algebra II was 27% in 2012.

42 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 49% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

English 2

The state average for English 2 was 46% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

English 3

The state average for English 3 was 40% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

25%

English I

The state average for English I was 21% in 2012.

2012

n/a

U.S. History

The state average for U.S. History was 97% in 2010.

2010

100%

Writing

The state average for Writing was 90% in 2010.

2010

99%

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 24% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

Algebra II

The state average for Algebra II was 14% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 34% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

English 2

The state average for English 2 was 32% in 2012.

2012

n/a

2011

n/a

English 3

The state average for English 3 was 17% in 2012.

2012

n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students	19%
African American	19%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	17%
Students with disabilities	n/a

Algebra II

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a

Biology I

All Students	14%
African American	15%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 2

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 3

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a

English I

All Students	44%
African American	45%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

The different student groups are identified by the Tennessee Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Algebra II

All Students	10%
African American	10%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	14%
Students with disabilities	n/a

Biology I

All Students	29%
African American	29%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 2

All Students	45%
African American	45%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	41%
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 3

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

The different student groups are identified by the Tennessee Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Algebra II

All Students	0%
African American	0%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	0%
Students with disabilities	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 2

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 3

All Students	25%
African American	25%
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	22%
Students with disabilities	n/a

English I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

The different student groups are identified by the Tennessee Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Algebra II

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

Biology I

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a

English 2

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a
Students with disabilities	n/a

English 3

All Students	n/a
African American	n/a
Hispanic	n/a
White	n/a
Economically disadvantaged	n/a

Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests

The different student groups are identified by the Tennessee Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Tennessee's state standards

Source: Tennessee Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »

Grade

Ethnicity

Other groups

By grade

Grade 9
 
1
Grade 10
 
2
Grade 11
 
2
All students
 
2

By ethnicity

African American

All students

By other groups

Economically disadvantaged

All students

Students
Teachers

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity	This school	State average
Black	94%	25%
Hispanic	5%	5%
American Indian/Alaska Native	0%	0%
Asian/Pacific Islander	N/A	2%
White	0%	68%

Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

	This school	District average	State average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program	49%	N/A	50%

Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

	This school	District average	State average
Students per FTE teacher	25	N/A	15

Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Programs & resources
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1500 Dunn Av
Memphis, TN 38106
Phone: (901) 775-2219

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5 stars

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9 reviews of this school

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

U.S. History

Writing

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

English I

About the tests

Algebra I

Algebra II

Biology I

English 2

English 3

About the tests

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

By grade

By ethnicity

Recommended reading

By other groups

Student ethnicity

Student subgroups

Student-teacher ratio

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