MUS admits students without regard to race, color, creed, or national or ethnic origin and seeks students with the potential for college studies. We offer need-based financial aid to qualified students.
Mission Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of service and leadership, and the development of well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school’s Christian tradition.
Philosophy Memphis University School is committed to high standards of honor and integrity, academic performance, service, leadership, and athletics, and to the transmission of Judeo-Christian values.
An MUS education is characterized by a rigorous curriculum, a lively exchange of ideas, supportive teaching, and adherence to an honor code. Its objective is to instruct students in the skills and subject matter of the humanities and sciences, to engender successful habits and techniques of learning, and to instill the foremost principles of personal responsibility, morality, and gentlemanly conduct.
A dynamic extracurricular program devoted to excellence promotes leadership and service and encourages development of physical fitness and a rich variety of talents and interests. Non-denominational and non-sectarian, MUS seeks to foster a respectful appreciation of the spiritual nature of people and honors the sincere expression of widely differing faiths. MUS aspires to be a community of mutual respect and concern regardless of individual differences.
Written by members of the Class of 2001, the Community Creed was approved by the Student Council and adopted as a statement of the ideals and virtues that have governed student behavior and attitudes since the inception of the school.
Community Creed As students of Memphis University School, we share a duty to preserve our tradition of general excellence by upholding the principles that define and unify our community.
Truth and Honor: An MUS student tells the truth, does his own work, honors his commitments, and respects the property of others and of the school.
Scholarship: An MUS student actively seeks knowledge and understanding, and he encourages that pursuit among his classmates.
Service:
An MUS student contributes his time and abilities to the welfare of his school and of the greater community.
Respect:
An MUS student is courteous and kind and appreciates everyone in his community.
Humility:
An MUS student may be confident but never arrogant or boastful.
Involvement:
An MUS student develops leadership, cooperation, communication, self-discipline, and friendships in activities outside the classroom.
Accountability:
An MUS student takes responsibility for his actions and accepts their consequences.
Honor and integrity characterize a school worthy of respect. From its earliest days, Memphis University School has developed these virtues through the Honor System. An integral part of the life of the students, the Honor System aids the school in its mission of developing a boy’s character and enriching his spiritual life. Learn more about the Honor System, Oath of Honor, and Honor Council under Student Leadership HERE.
Dear MUS, How kind the fate that brought us to these halls To learn thy ways, To walk in truth and honor all our days. We pray that we shall always honor Thee. Let us all unite to sing To Alma Mater, Friend, and Leader, University.
WEATHER CLOSINGS During adverse weather conditions, administrators monitor the situation and decide when the school will close or follow abbreviated hours. The decision is posted on the school’s website and social media as soon as it is made, so please do not call or message school officials or administrative offices.
The school also calls, emails, and texts families during school emergencies and closings. These emergency notifications are called Owls Alerts. For us to contact you, we need accurate contact information and your permission to text you.
If you need to update your contact information, go to the Profile Update page of our website. You must also text "YES" to 87569 to allow us to text you.
The school responds to severe weather and other emergencies with a practiced procedure of securing students as quickly and as safely as possible in the most secure environment that the facilities offer.
In any real emergency, students are not to leave campus without permission from the administration. Buildings are safer than vehicles during these events, and the driving lanes on campus must be as free as possible for emergency vehicles or for the orderly dismissal from school once conditions improve according to the National Weather Service.
The MUS U Book is a comprehensive annual handbook of policies and contact information. It is provided to current MUS families, and may not be used for solicitation or commercial purpose. For confidentiality reasons only policies are provided here.
This document briefly outlines school policy about social media, use of school identity, and publishing guidelines. Contact the Communications Office with any questions.
School is Out, Summer is Here!
Our regular academic year has concluded, and fourth-quarter grades will be available online Friday, June 2. MUS will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. Summer programs begin soon - see details HERE.
Summer Help Labs will be open selected Tuesdays (July 11, July 18, July 25, and August 1) from 9 a.m. – noon for students who need to ask questions about Summer Math Packets.
Owls in rising grades 9-12 should check out this new ACT Math Prep Class, offered in June and July. Practice makes perfect, so get ready for the upcoming ACT with Mathematics Department Co-Chair Phillip Stalls! You will take a practice exam each day and review areas that proved challenging. Gain experience and prepare for success!
Rising sophomores and juniors should take advantage of the NEW AP History prep classes offered beginning June 19 or June 26! These one-week courses introduce the AP exam format and hone testing skills.
IMPORTANT: New Opt-In for Emergency, Other Notifications
MUS weather closings, emergency notifications, and athletic team messages are sent to families via our texting system – and the system is changing our number June 2.
IMPORTANT: Text YES to the new number, 79041, to opt-in so you will begin getting MUS text notifications after the number change, and save 79041 in your contacts so it won’t be blocked.
Headmaster Pete Sanders has named Dr. Kyle Summers as the Sally and Wil Hergenrader Chair of Excellence in Science. Summers has taught Biology and AP Biology since arriving at MUS in 2020 and serves as co-advisor for the school’s HOSA Club.
Ask anyone in the Athletics Department who is the most valuable member of the team, and they are likely to name this staff member: Athletics Administrative Assistant Beth Taylor. When Headmaster Pete Sanders announced that Taylor was the 2023 recipient of the Jean Barbee Hale Award for Outstanding Service, employees assembled for the Faculty Luncheon rose for a standing ovation.
Baccalaureate and Commencement were wonderful celebrations! You can download the videos HERE.
We have posted many Class of 2023 pictures in our Photo Gallery Look for Baccalaureate, Commencement, Graduation Awards, Headmaster Lunch/Grad Rehearsal, and Senior Picnic folders. You can download the photos free from there.
Valedictorian Frederick Huang is an inquisitive scholar, an accomplished swimmer, a gifted musician, and a caring friend. His insatiable intellectual curiosity and tireless work ethic are hallmark traits. His focus on overall wellness – physical, mental, and social-emotional – including prioritizing sleep, sets an example for all.
Lower School students and families gathered in Dunavant Lecture Hall of Hull Lower School to celebrate the Order of the Owl and Latin Honor Society inductions May 12.
Sixty Spanish students garnered national recognition for their performance on the 2023 National Spanish Examinations. Owls earned a total of 10 Gold, 14 Silver, and 13 Bronze Medals, along with 23 honorable mentions. Patrick Burke ’25 achieved a perfect score on the Spanish II examination.
Faculty and families celebrated 10 eighth-grade Springfield Society inductees during a banquet May 11. These scholars are in the top 10% of their class and demonstrate character consistent with the high standards of the school’s Honor Code and Community Creed.
On behalf of Tennessee Wildlife Federation, Hunters for the Hungry Program Director Matt Simcox presented the MUS chapter of the program the regional championship trophy.
The Counseling Department is accepting Upper School volunteers for next year’s Peer Mentoring program - become a Wingman! Help a newer, younger student learn about the U! You will get training before you are paired with an underclassman. This is a great leadership and service-hours opportunity, so contact Mrs. Candy Harris with questions or sign up today!
Kristopher Johnson ’23 spoke about his mental health journey during chapel May 10. A member of the MUS Mental Health Club, the outgoing senior wanted to encourage students who may be struggling with mental and emotional issues.
This is your invitation to join the 2023-24 Lower School football team. We will have separate teams for seventh and eighth grade players. Both will participate in a municipal and independent schools league. We are fortunate to have a very experienced group of alumni who coach our Lower School teams.
Hyde Library will be open during the summer months each Wednesday from June 7 through August 2, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Students are encouraged to check out books all summer!