Memphis University School plans new academic building, indoor practice facility

By Cole Schnell – Reporter, Memphis Business Journal

January 24, 2024

Memphis University School (MUS) is seeking approval to expand its campus with a new arts and sciences building and an indoor practice facility.

The private school recently filed an application with the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment outlining plans for the two new buildings on its 95-acre East Memphis campus at Park Avenue and Ridgeway Road. According to an MUS spokesperson, the projects do not yet have a timeline or budget, and a related capital campaign is still in its early stages.

The proposed arts and sciences building would be located north of the campus center along Park Avenue, set about 170 feet from the road. The indoor practice facility is planned west of the campus center along Ridgeway Road, approximately 57 feet from the road.

The arts and sciences building will include multi-functional spaces for arts and STEM education, including an auditorium for theater performances. The indoor practice facility will feature covered areas for sports training.

The application requests a variance from the maximum building height of 40 feet, proposing to exceed that limit by 19 feet for the arts and sciences building and 16 feet for the indoor facility. The request is justified by the buildings’ intended uses and the need for architectural consistency with the rest of campus.

The expansion is part of MUS’s long-term strategic plan, which emphasizes investing in facilities to support academic excellence and enhance the student experience.

Both buildings are designed in a Georgian architectural style to match the existing campus. Plans also call for preserving mature oak trees and existing landscaping.

According to the application, the development is not expected to significantly increase enrollment or staffing, and existing parking capacity should be sufficient, resulting in minimal impact on traffic.

For the 2023–24 school year, MUS has an enrollment of about 610 students in grades 7–12, with tuition of $24,500. The school has also announced plans to add a sixth-grade class for the first time in the fall.