School Choice

School Choice and Homeschool in Tennessee

Private school choice programs, charter schools, homeschool rules and private schools in Tennessee. Facts as of November 2026.

Choice programs3At least one is universal
Charter schoolsAllowedPublic charter law
Homeschool noticeYesTesting: Yes

Private school choice programs

How they work ›

Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS)

Education savings account Universal Enacted 2025

Universal: open to all Tennessee K-12 students with U.S. citizenship or lawful presence; if applications exceed funded awards, priority goes to current recipients, then low-income and ESA/IEA-eligible students, then students at 300% of the free or reduced-price lunch limit, then public school students.

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-3501 et seq., signed February 12, 2025; first awards for 2025-26.

Official source

Education Savings Account (ESA) Program

Education savings account Limited Enacted 2019 (year not confirmed)

Income-limited students zoned to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or a former Achievement School District school (household income up to twice the free-lunch guideline, with prior public school enrollment).

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-2601 et seq.

Official source

Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program

Education savings account Limited Enacted 2015

Statewide, for students with qualifying disabilities and an active IEP who attended a Tennessee public school the prior year (or are entering kindergarten or new to the state).

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-10-1401 et seq., signed May 18, 2015; first accounts awarded January 2017. A student may take part in only one of the three programs per year.

Official source

Charter schools

Tennessee has a public charter school law.

Official source

Homeschool rules

Parents file an Intent to Home School form with the local district before each school year and must hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Students take a standardized test in grades 5, 7 and 9. Check your state's law before you start.

Notice: Yes Testing: Yes

Law: Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3050. Official source

Private schools in Tennessee

The private school list will appear here after the first scheduled update.

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Sources: Tennessee Department of Education: Education Freedom Scholarships, Tennessee Department of Education: ESA Program, Tennessee Department of Education: IEA Handbook 2025-26, Tennessee Department of Education: School Choice Programs Comparison 2026-27, Tennessee Department of Education: Charter Schools, Tennessee Department of Education: Independent Home School Requirements, NCES Private School Universe Survey. State facts as of November 2026. Check your state's law before you start.