The Bright School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked TN School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
Enrollment: 368 students
Yearly Tuition: $20,000
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

The Bright School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-5

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	The Bright School
Nursery	36
Pre-K	48
Kind	48
1	48
2	46
3	48
4	48
5	46

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1913

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Thu. May 27, 2027

Student Body

Total Students

368 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

13%

State avg.: 21%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

48 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

8:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

45%

Average Class Size

16 students

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Uniforms

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$20,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

JPK: $13,000 PK: $13,900 K-5th Grade: $20,000 Tuition payments may be made in full or through the FACTS payment plan. Lunch for grades PK-5 is included in tuition. Supply fees, which include all school supplies, and field trips are separate costs.

Admissions Director

Kristin Watts

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$11 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

6 sports

Sports

BasketballCross Country

Flag FootballSoccer

SoftballTrack and Field

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

5 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Cooking ClassesRobotics Club

Arts and Music Programs:

Ballet ClassChoir

Hand Bells

School Notes

Bright School, the oldest independent elementary, coeducational school in Tennessee, is committed to the intellectual, artistic, physical, and moral growth of young boys and girls.
We seek academically talented students of diverse cultural, racial, religious and economic backgrounds who are willing and capable of engaging in the challenging academic opportunities the school has to offer.
We offer these students a rich and rigorous interdisciplinary, child-centered curriculum designed to stimulate creative inquiry, intellectual achievement and independent thinking in a world increasingly without borders.
With the guidance of the profession's best teachers, Bright School's students develop a life-long love of learning, high personal expectations and integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility for themselves, their community, and the natural world.
Throughout their journey, they build a firm foundation upon which they will become wise and compassionate citizens of the world.

Bright School, the oldest independent elementary, coeducational school in Tennessee, is committed to the intellectual, artistic, physical, and moral growth of young boys and girls.
We seek academically talented students of diverse cultural, racial, religious and economic backgrounds who are willing and capable of engaging in the challenging academic opportunities the school has to offer.
We offer these students a rich and rigorous interdisciplinary, child-centered curriculum designed to stimulate creative inquiry, intellectual achievement and independent thinking in a world increasingly without borders.
With the guidance of the professions best teachers, Bright Schools students develop a life-long love of learning, high personal expectations and integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility for themselves, their community, and the natural world.
Throughout their journey, they build a firm foundation upon which they will become wise and compassionate citizens of the world.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Tim Kelly '79 - Mayor of Chattanooga, TN
- Spencer McCallie '49 - Former Head of School at McCallie School
- Herb Barks '45 - Former Head of School at Baylor School
- Mai Bell Hurley '40 - Civil and political leader in Chattanooga, TN

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Bright School cost?

The Bright School's tuition is approximately $20,000 for private students and $310 for summer students.

Who are famous alumni from The Bright School?

The Bright School famous alumni include: Tim Kelly '79, Spencer McCallie '49, Herb Barks '45 and Mai Bell Hurley '40.

What sports does The Bright School offer?

The Bright School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball and Track and Field.

What is The Bright School's ranking?

The Bright School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Tennessee for: Largest student body and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for The Bright School?

The application deadline for The Bright School is Jan. 15 / Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 / Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is The Bright School located?

The Bright School is located in the North Chattanooga neighborhood of Chattanooga, TN. There are 1 other private schools located in North Chattanooga.

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 3/1/2024

I love this School so much.

- Posted by Parent - Karen

5 5/13/2017

Wonderful school!

- Posted by Parent - Meghan

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Chattanooga, TN is $22,120 for elementary schools and $29,591 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Chattanooga, TN is 82% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).