About

Mid-South Gifted Academy

EDUCATION REIMAGINED

Mid-South Gifted Academy is a Memphis area private school for advanced learners in Preschool through Grade 12.

Developing Innovators & World Changers

Our Mission

The mission of Mid-South Gifted Academy is to develop innovators and world changers by creating opportunities for children to discover and use their gifts, talents, and passions.

Dynamic, Joyful, & Challenging

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a dynamic, joyful, and challenging school experience for gifted and academically advanced learners that honors individual strengths and abilities, prioritizes strong relationships, and equips students to fully develop their potential.

WHO WE ARE

MSGA is a private school for gifted learners in Preschool-Grade 12. Within our personalized, joy-filled environment, passionate educators guide students through challenging cross-curricular projects and accelerated learning paths in areas of strength, leading to significant academic growth and students who love school!

WHAT IS GIFTEDNESS?

Giftedness is defined as children and youth who perform or show the potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. These children exhibit high achievement capability in intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacities, or in specific academic fields, and require services or activities not ordinarily provided by conventional schools.

THE MSGA DIFFERENCE

MSGA shatters the limitations of the conventional PreK-12 model, providing gifted learners with the freedom to excel in a dynamic, strengths-based program. In our small school setting, every child is known and loved. Students find joy and purpose, experience a strong sense of belonging, and are empowered to set and achieve challenging academic and personal goals. Our holistic program and emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving ensure students are not only ready for college, but ready for life.

Our Core Values

Our Story

MSGA was established in 2018 by a team of educators and parents who recognized the need for a full-time school for gifted learners in the Memphis metropolitan area. With a mission to educate and develop future innovators and world changers, MSGA provides a dynamic, strengths-based program for students from Preschool through Grade 12.

We welcomed our founding families in August 2018, beginning with 17 students, and have experienced steady growth over the past several years, adding a grade level each year to accommodate our oldest students.

In March 2019, we purchased the building at 121 E. South St., now home to our lower school, MSGA Discovery School, serving students from Preschool through Grade 4. Our upper school building, MSGA School of Innovation & Design, was built across the street for our middle and high school students and opened in October 2023.

We are proud to have graduated our first student in May 2024. This sixteen-year-old trailblazer, determined to graduate early, worked tirelessly with the support of MSGA’s outstanding staff to achieve her goal. We are thrilled to share that she received a 100% acceptance rate and $219,800 in merit scholarship offers.

In 2026, MSGA celebrated another historic milestone: the graduation of our first full generation of MSGA graduates. This class represented the fulfillment of the vision that began in 2018—to create a school where gifted learners could be seen, challenged, supported, and prepared to become innovators and world changers.

Our Beliefs

School should be a place where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking are nurtured daily.

Gifted learners thrive when empowered to follow their curiosities, pursue passions, and accelerate in areas of strength.

Our students flourish in a joyful learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and fun.

Our students’ abilities to create and innovate will positively impact their future and the world.

An Education Designed for Gifted Learners

Gifted learners do not simply need more work. They need the right level of challenge, the freedom to move at an appropriate pace, and meaningful opportunities to explore ideas with depth and complexity.

At MSGA, our innovative, mastery-based model combines personalized academics, flexible acceleration, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world application. Students develop strong foundations in mathematics, science, humanities, world languages, and the creative arts while pursuing questions, interests, and challenges that make learning purposeful. Rather than moving in lockstep, students receive the support and challenge they need to make meaningful progress and demonstrate genuine mastery.

Learning extends far beyond finding the correct answer. Students investigate complex questions, design solutions, collaborate with others, learn from experts, and present their work to authentic audiences. They are encouraged to think critically, take intellectual risks, persevere through challenges, and recognize themselves as capable creators of new possibilities.

Academic excellence is only part of the picture. Wellness, confidence, self-awareness, and meaningful relationships are intentionally woven into the student experience. In our small-by-design community, every child is deeply known, meaningfully challenged, and supported in becoming more fully themselves.

Our goal is not simply to prepare students for the next grade level. It is to prepare them for life—to stay curious, seek solutions, create new paths, lead with purpose, and embrace wellness.

"This school is a perfect fit for my daughter. We love how she feels comfortable bringing her full range of abilities to the classroom and how the teachers encourage her unique gifts and are constantly challenging her further. The best part though is that they know her and see her truly. The teachers and administration are sincere and aligned with their mission. This is the real deal."

Jannete K.

Our 7th grader is in his second year at MSGA, and we couldn't be more pleased with his experience. The individualized approach to math and language arts allows him to move at his own pace, while group history and science projects challenge him to collaborate with his peers. He looks forward to school every day and has made many new friends. He also loves the outdoor classroom and park space, and Friday lunches in the historic square. The teachers and staff are top notch, too!

Jill Y.

"We could not be happier with our son's experience at MSGA! The guides truly get to know each student and inspire each child's love for learning. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, be problem solvers, and are taught important social/emotional skills that foster a collaborative environment."

Shannon and Mark H.

My son started at the end of a school year and the staff at MSGA have been amazing! They have made him feel welcome and walked him through every step of his new learning experience. I was concerned that he wouldn't be able to adjust to a vastly different structure for learning but he has blossomed! While many schools have begun to advertise that they are working on social and emotional growth in addition to academics, MSGA actually has a plan and executes social and emotional learning in addition to academics. We are so lucky to be a part of this school!

Middle School Parent

"Our son is excited to go to school everyday now that he attends MSGA. He is allowed to follow his passions (math and computer programming) and really focus and refine those skills daily. He is constantly challenged in all subjects, and enjoys the challenge because the guides at MSGA spend a tremendous amount of effort finding how each student works and learns best."

Jennifer D.

MSGA is an amazing school for gifted learners. It has been such a blessing for our daughter. She has gained a love for reading and a joy for learning because they make all learning fun. Also, the way they interact with the kids makes them feel valued. Best decision our family ever made!

Leslie V.