For the 2026 school year, there are 608 private schools serving 113,572 students in Tennessee (there are 1,914 public schools, serving 1,002,390 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $13,475 for elementary schools and $14,526 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Tennessee include St. Mary's Episcopal School, Lipscomb Academy, and Harpeth Hall School.
The average acceptance rate is 83% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 20% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (TN)
US
# Schools
608 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
113,572 Students
5,699,501 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
11,109 Teachers
507,930 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
54%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1273
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,400
$14,880
Average Summer Program Cost
$447
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
25%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,697
$7,139
Average Acceptance Rate
83%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$55.95 million
$61.68 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.65
# American Indian Students
308 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
2,796 Students
265,082 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
4,327 Students
507,339 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
7,098 Students
416,670 Students
% Black Students
6%
7%
# White Students
68,737 Students
2,933,350 Students
% White Students
61%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
87 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
28,594 Students
1,471,873 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
12 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Tennessee Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: East Memphis (8 schools), Green Hills (8 schools), Cedar Bluff (5 schools), Midtown (5 schools), Hardin Valley (4 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked private schools in Tennessee include St. Mary's Episcopal School, Lipscomb Academy, and Harpeth Hall School.
How many private schools are located in Tennessee?
There are 608 private schools are located in Tennessee.
How much do private schools cost in Tennessee?
The average private school tuition in Tennessee is $13,475 for elementary schools and $14,526 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Tennessee?
Approximately 20% of students in Tennessee private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Tennessee go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Tennessee?
Which private schools in Tennessee are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Tennessee include: Crossroads Christian Academy vs. Lenoir City Christian Academy, Olivia's Montessori Preschool vs. Maria Montessori School, Greater Things Christian School vs. United Christian Academy
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