What Shelby County Schools does

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), legally formed in 2014 through the merger of Shelby County Schools and Memphis City Schools, is one of the largest public school districts in the United States. The district operates 222+ schools — including 97 elementary, 43 middle, and 41 high schools, plus K-8 and alternative campuses — and serves 110,000+ students across Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. Core academic instruction is delivered alongside a broad portfolio of specialized programs: Career & Technical Education through four dedicated centers (Kingsbury, Sheffield, Southwest, Trezevant), Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, Memphis Virtual School, Memphis Virtual Adult High School, Pre-K, Special Education, ESL, and alternative education. The district holds a Level 5 accountability designation from the Tennessee Department of Education, the highest tier, with 61 Reward Schools and four schools earning perfect state assessment scores.

The underlying technology stack is built primarily on commercial SaaS integrations rather than proprietary systems. PowerSchool provides the student information system and Parent Portal for grades, attendance, and records. Bentek powers online benefits enrollment; Naviance supports college and career counseling; ICIMS handles applicant tracking; Finalsite runs school websites; and MealViewer publishes student meal menus. Supplemental services include student transportation with real-time bus tracking, health clinics, and before/after-school tutoring.

The business model is public-sector funding: the district receives revenue from local, state, and federal sources, including per-pupil state allocations, Title I funding, categorical grants, and benefits administration for 20,000+ active and retired employees. There is no tuition for standard K-12 enrollment; revenue is non-discretionary and tied to legislative appropriations and tax base. The district is governed by an elected Board of Education and led by Superintendent Dr. Roderick F. Richmond. Customer segments span K-12 students and families, Pre-K, adult learners via virtual and Goodwill Excel Center partnerships, and special education populations. Marketing and distribution rely on direct enrollment, School Choice transfers, the district website, school-level websites, social media, and active hiring events.

Name

Shelby County Schools

Legal name

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

Website

https://scsk12.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is one of the largest public school districts in the United States, operating 222+ schools that serve 110,000+ K-12 and adult learners across Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, funded through local, state, and federal public sources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Education Authorities & Municipal Education Offices (EDADABAD)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Career technical education
• Special education services
• Student transportation services
• Pre-kindergarten programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: Government-funded public school district receiving funding from local, state, and federal sources including per-pupil allocation, Title I funding, and categorical grants for specific programs
2. Employee Benefits Administration: Administration of health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits for over 20,000 active and retired employees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is a public school district operating 222+ schools across Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, serving 110,000+ students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district provides free standard K-12 instruction, plus specialized programs including Pre-K, Career & Technical Education (CCTE), Special Education, ESL, virtual learning, alternative schools, charter schools, student transportation, school health clinics, and a School Choice application system.

Product overview

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is a Level 5 district operating 222+ schools including 97 elementary schools, 43 middle schools, and 41 high schools, plus K-8 and alternative schools. The district offers a unified educational portfolio centered on core academic instruction across all school levels, complemented by specialized programs including Pre-K education, Memphis Virtual School for online learning, Memphis Virtual Adult High School for adult learners, and the Maxine Smith STEAM Academy for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics focus. Career and Technical Education is delivered through four dedicated technology centers (Kingsbury, Sheffield, Southwest, and Trezevant). The district provides integrated digital services including PowerSchool Parent Portal for student information access, student transportation with mobile tracking, health clinics and wellness services, and a comprehensive school choice application system. Supporting programs include Special Education Services, ESL instruction, alternative education, charter schools, before/after-school tutoring, and Title I support for high-poverty schools. The district's mission focuses on preparing all students for success in learning, leadership, and life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Memphis Virtual School Online learning program offering virtual education options for students in the district, part of the Pre-K through 12 educational portfolio.
• Memphis Virtual Adult High School Virtual adult education program enabling adult learners to complete high school education and earn diplomas online.
• Maxine Smith STEAM Academy Specialized middle school focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education, developing students' creativity, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills with emphasis on post-secondary readiness.
• Career & Technical Education (CCTE) Programs Career and technical education programs offering specialized training across multiple career pathways including Kingsbury Career & Technology Center, Sheffield Career & Technology Center, Southwest Career & Technology Center, and Trezevant Career & Technology Center.
• Pre-K Programs Early childhood education program providing pre-kindergarten instruction, which has earned national gold medal recognition for its quality and impact.
• Special Education Services Comprehensive special education services providing support and accommodations for students with disabilities across all district schools.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) English language learning support services for students who are English learners, helping them develop language proficiency.
• Alternative Schools Alternative education programs providing alternative learning environments for students requiring different educational approaches.
• PowerSchool Parent Portal Student information system portal enabling parents to access grades, attendance, assignments, and school communications for their children.
• Student Transportation Services School bus transportation services including route information, real-time bus tracking, and the downloadable School Bus App.
• Student Health Services Health clinic services and wellness programs providing medical care, mental health services, and family wellness centers for students.
• Before & After-School Tutoring Extended learning programs providing academic support and tutoring services outside regular school hours.
• School Choice & Optional Schools School choice application system allowing families to apply for general transfers, optional school placements, and specialized program enrollment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 61 Reward Schools recognized by Tennessee Department of Education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PowerSchoolcoreTechnology or IntegrationPowerSchool provides the district's student information system and parent portal, enabling parents and guardians to access student grades, attendance, and academic records online.
• Memphis Goodwill Excel CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for adult education programs offering free high school diplomas and career pathways for adult learners in the Memphis community.
• Memphis Virtual Adult HScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual adult high school program providing online education options for adult learners seeking high school diplomas.
• CignacoreOthersHealth insurance provider for district employee benefits. Machine-readable files provided for transparency in coverage as required by federal regulation.
• MetLifecoreOthersProvider of short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance for district employees.
• BentekcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternet-based online benefits enrollment system enabling employees to make elections, review benefit plans, and access carrier websites.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hillsborough County Public Schools: A large Florida public school district (Tampa area) with a comparable portfolio of elementary, middle, and high schools plus CTE, magnet, and adult education programs funded through state per-pupil allocations.
• Chicago Public Schools: A large urban public school district comparable in scale and structure to MSCS, offering comprehensive K-12 programs, magnet/optional schools, CTE pathways, and adult education through a government-funded operating model.
• Fairfax County Public Schools: A large Virginia public school district with comparable comprehensive K-12 offerings, strong accountability designations, and a similarly diverse program portfolio including CTE centers and adult education.
• Los Angeles Unified School District: The second-largest US public school district, operating a similar portfolio of elementary, middle, and high schools with extensive CTE, ESL, and adult education programs funded through public appropriations.
• Houston Independent School District: A major urban Texas school district comparable to MSCS in scale, with a similarly diverse student population, comprehensive CTE and magnet program offerings, and significant English-learner populations.
• Broward County Public Schools: A large Florida public school district with a comparable portfolio of K-12 schools, CTE centers, magnet schools, and adult education programs operating under a similar state-funded per-pupil revenue model.
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools: The fourth-largest US school district, operating hundreds of schools across a single county with similar offerings in CTE, magnet programs, adult education, and ESL — funded through a comparable per-pupil allocation model.
• New York City Department of Education: The largest public school district in the United States. Comparable to MSCS as a large urban public school district operating K-12 schools with a similar funding model based on government appropriations and per-pupil allocations.
• Clark County School District: The fifth-largest US school district (Las Vegas), operating a comparable mega-district model with extensive CTE, magnet, and ESL programs serving a similarly diverse urban population.

Others

• PowerSchool: A core technology vendor / partner of MSCS providing the district's student information system and parent portal. Relevant as an enabling ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but central to MSCS's operational infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvmiu8a-R7GIa53MkmX4DUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/shelbycountyschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shelby-county-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/pisgah_eagles
• Xx.com/scsk12unified

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelby County Schools