About
Mission & Vision
We aim to rethink the traditional American high school experience by being a place where every learner — students and educators alike — can thrive. We will be a community of confident thinkers and compassionate contributors who create more equitable spaces wherever we go.
At Crosstown High, we believe education should be more than preparation for the future—it should be a place where students are empowered to shape it. That’s why we’ve built a school that’s learner-centered, community-connected, and rooted in real-world challenges and opportunities.
Located in the heart of Crosstown Concourse—a vibrant, 10-story community hub—Crosstown High connects learning to the world beyond our classrooms through project-based work, authentic relationships, and a model that’s been recognized nationally through our partnership with XQ.
Our Story
Crosstown High was born from a community’s bold response to the XQ Super School Challenge.
A diverse team of educators, students, parents, and local leaders gathered to rethink high school from the ground up. After hearing from over 200 students and community members, the team identified two core goals: create deeper, more meaningful learning, and build a truly diverse school that could disrupt Memphis’s patterns of racial segregation.
We opened in 2018 with a founding class of 150 ninth graders and a commitment to being diverse by design. Today, we serve more than 500 students in grades 9–12 and graduated our first class in 2022. We continue to innovate, working with XQ and other forward-thinking schools and partners nationwide to design deeper, more meaningful learning experiences. Our journey was featured in the documentary The First Class, which follows our founding students as they help bring Crosstown High to life.
Our Mission & Core Values
We are rethinking high school by…
Advancing Equity
We believe learning leads to freedom. So we:
Seek equity and justice in and beyond the classroom.
Empower students and teachers to use their voices for change.
Share what we are learning with other educators
Building Community
We believe that learning happens best in an inclusive and joyful community, and so we:
Work to create a space that reflects the diversity of our city.
Affirm the unique identity of each learner.
Create opportunities for connection, having fun together, and restoring relationships when they are harmed.
Doing Meaningful Work
We believe that learning can solve problems in this uncertain world, and that the community is a natural landscape for authentic learning experiences, and so we:
Learn through projects that address a real challenge or issue, draw on different areas of learning, and allow us to explore our interests and passions.
Center students through personalized learning experiences that develop the competencies we believe are necessary to thrive both now and in the future.
Engage with our community and industry partners whenever possible.
…so every learner can thrive.
Our Pillars
We are building a different kind of high school by…
Diverse by Design
No entry requirements. No selective admissions. We work intentionally each year to build a community that reflects the full richness of Memphis.
Project-Based
Students tackle real-world challenges through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that are connected to their passions and community needs.
Competency-Based
Learning is measured by growth, not grades alone. Students develop competencies tied to academic standards and life-ready skills.
Relationship-Driven
We use restorative practices to build trust, foster belonging, and strengthen our learning community from the inside out.
Ready to learn differently?
Whether you’re a family exploring your options, an educator seeking inspiration, or a community partner eager to collaborate, we invite you to rethink high school with us.