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Private Schools in
Tennessee

  • White
  • Black
  • Hisp.
  • Asian Am.
  • Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
  • Haw. / Pac. Isl.
  • Multi.
  • Not spec.
Private Schools
Public Schools

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation Count
Nonsectarian 127
Christian 113
Baptist 59
Roman Catholic 44
Seventh-Day Adventist 34

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

Private Schools in Tennessee

There are 484 private schools in Tennessee that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.

School Grades Religion Enrollment Mostly … Racial Difference* Teachers Founded Type
Lighthouse Christian Academy KG–12th Christian 5,001 Multiracial 34% 9 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Mary’s Episcopal School PK–12th Episcopal 1,259 White 72% 92 1847 Regular elementary or secondary
Chattanooga Christian School PK–12th Christian 1,241 White 36% 1 Regular elementary or secondary
Christ Presbyterian Academy PK–12th Presbyterian 1,213 White 67% 171 1985 Regular elementary or secondary
The Ensworth School-Lower/Middle Campus KG–12th Nonsectarian 1,184 White 55% 123 Regular elementary or secondary
The Ensworth School KG–12th Nonsectarian 1,131 White 52% 47 1958 Regular elementary or secondary
Lipscomb Academy PK–12th Church of Christ 1,112 White 55% 113 Regular elementary or secondary
Silverdale Baptist Academy PK–12th Baptist 1,107 White 40% 101 Regular elementary or secondary
University School of Nashville KG–12th Nonsectarian 1,071 White 38% 102 1915 Regular elementary or secondary
Baylor School 6th–12th Nonsectarian 1,068 White 33% 102 1893 Regular elementary or secondary
Webb School of Knoxville PK–12th Nonsectarian 1,060 White 13% 96 1955 Regular elementary or secondary
Boyd Buchanan School PK–12th Church of Christ 992 White 40% 95 1952 Regular elementary or secondary
University School of Jackson PK–12th Nonsectarian 989 White 57% 80 1970 Regular elementary or secondary
Franklin Road Academy PK–12th Nonsectarian 927 White 57% 75 1971 Regular elementary or secondary
Mccallie School 6th–12th Christian 926 White 26% 158 1905 Regular elementary or secondary
Columbia Academy PK–12th Church of Christ 887 White 27% 65 Regular elementary or secondary
Father Ryan High School 9th–12th Roman Catholic 863 White 58% 89 1927 Regular elementary or secondary
St. George’s Independent School PK–12th Episcopal 851 White 7% 81 Regular elementary or secondary
St. Georges Independent School PK–12th Episcopal 851 White 11% 83 Regular elementary or secondary
Christian Academy of Knoxville PK–12th Nonsectarian 845 White 22% 86 1976 Regular elementary or secondary
Montgomery Bell Academy 7th–12th Nonsectarian 822 White 62% 107 1867 Regular elementary or secondary
Battle Ground Academy KG–12th Nonsectarian 817 White 0% 95 1889 Regular elementary or secondary
Lausanne Collegiate School PK–12th Nonsectarian 812 White 38% 112 1926 Regular elementary or secondary
Goodpasture Christian School PK–12th Church of Christ 812 White 59% 99 1966 Regular elementary or secondary
Grace Christian Academy KG–12th Baptist 796 White 26% 60 Regular elementary or secondary

* About racial difference

School Districts in Tennessee (158)

District Grades Private Schools Private School Students Racial Difference *
Metropolitan Nashville Public School District PK–12th 66 15,549 52%
Shelby County School District PK–12th 64 10,797 60%
Knox County School District PK–12th 39 7,185 18%
Hamilton County School District PK–12th 37 8,594 34%
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System PK–12th 14 1,102 24%
Sumner County School District PK–12th 13 6,286 -28%
Lawrence County School District PK–12th 11 305 -2%
Jackson-Madison County School System PK–12th 10 1,494 59%
Maury County School District PK–12th 9 1,943 26%
Williamson County School District PK–12th 8 2,477 8%
Rutherford County School District PK–12th 7 1,137 27%
Germantown Municipal School District PK–12th 7 1,382 21%
Cleveland City School District PK–12th 7 314 20%
Putnam County School District PK–12th 7 436 11%
Hamblen County School District PK–12th 6 499 30%
Robertson County School District PK–12th 6 736 19%
Kingsport City School District PK–12th 6 299 15%
Wilson County School District PK–12th 6 550 11%
Sevier County School District PK–12th 6 627 7%
Blount County School District PK–12th 6 579 5%
Franklin Special School District PK–8th 5 482 35%
Murfreesboro City School District PK–6th 5 1,597 29%
Roane County School District PK–12th 5 1,501 2%
Claiborne County School District PK–12th 5 281 -2%
Bartlett City School District PK–12th 4 72 26%

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

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