Memphis STEM School Taking Over as Shopping Center Anchor Tenant

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 12/05/19

A year from now a half-abandoned shopping center in Memphis will be adding a STEM school as its anchor tenant. A $15 million project will convert much of the currently-named Frayser Plaza into Harmony Plaza, hosting the Memphis STEM Academy (MSA) for elementary students. Currently, MSA covers grades K-3 with 230 students; the newly expanded space will accommodate expanded enrollment of 450 for students in grades K-5. The new school site is expected to be ready for fall 2020.

A $15 million project will convert much of the currently-named Frayser Plaza into Harmony Plaza, hosting the Memphis STEM Academy (MSA) for elementary students.

According to the Memphis Business Academy (MBA), which runs the school, the redevelopment will include new classrooms, STEM labs, a multipurpose room, a library and offices. Forty-percent of the building will continue hosting the retail operations that currently occupy the space.

MSA launched in August 2016 in a rental space with students in kindergarten and first grade. Since then it has continued adding new grade levels with subsequent school years. Learning emphasizes project- and problem-based learning, using curricula provided by Project Lead the Way, Engineering is Elementary, ScratchJr and LEGO Education.

According to local news coverage, this is the second time that MBA has retrofitted a shopping center. Previously, MBA worked with the Shopping Center Group to convert a closed Kmart into the charter school operator's main campus. MBA is the sponsor of six schools in the city, each authorized by the Shelby County Schools Board of Education.

"Renovating this plaza removes another eyesore and offers an asset that any community would be proud of — a new high tech school for elementary children, a healthcare partnership that will be a blessing for Frayser families and retail values that are competitive with any Memphis community," said the Anthony Anderson, CEO of MBA, in a statement.

The renovation is being funded through a federal New Markets Tax Credits, which are intended to finance major redevelopment in high-distress areas. Participants in the deal include Hope Credit Union, SunTrust Community Capital, BlueHub Capital and Nonprofit Finance Fund.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • dormitory with green roofs, solar panels, balconies, and labeled architectural annotations

    2025 Residence Hall Design Trends Focus on Sustainability, Flexibility, Community, Technology, and Well-Being

    With the most technically advanced Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) at the helm, residence hall design trends for 2025 look to focus on flexible spaces, health and wellness, sustainability, community, and digital technology.

  • ClassVR Wins Tech & Learning Best of Show at ISTELive 25

    Avantis Education recently announced that its flagship product, ClassVR, won the Tech & Learning Best of Show Award at ISTELive 25 in San Antonio, Texas, according to a news release. The program is designed to celebrate products that are “transforming education in schools around the world and that show the greatest promise for the industry,” and this is the fourth consecutive year that Avantis has claimed the award.

  • Beeville ISD Starts Construction on New Elementary School

    The Beeville Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently began a construction project that will consolidate two existing, aging schools into a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects and Spawglass General Contractors for the design and construction, respectively, of the new facility.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

Digital Edition