Best private high schools in Tennessee
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.
It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.
For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.
Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Tennessee using 2027 rankings from Niche. Online schools were not included. Niche uses 10 weighted factors for its rankings, including: college enrollment, culture and diversity, parent/student surveys, top enrolled colleges, and student-teacher ratio. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
#25. Davidson Academy
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 838 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#24. Harding Academy of Memphis
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 701 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#23. St. Andrew's-Sewanee School
- Location: Sewanee, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 175 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#22. Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School
- Location: Hendersonville, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 718 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#21. Franklin Road Academy
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,157 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#20. University School of Jackson
- Location: Jackson, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,103 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A
#19. St. Agnes Academy
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 554 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#18. Central Baptist School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 144 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#17. Pleasant View School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 404 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#16. Lipscomb Academy
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,426 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#15. Girls Preparatory School
- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 489 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#14. Christian Brothers High School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 725 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#13. Webb School of Knoxville
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 1,068 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#12. Hutchison School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 797 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#11. The Webb School
- Location: Bell Buckle, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 295 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#10. St. Andrew's School
- Location: Sevierville, TN
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 47 (2:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#9. Memphis University School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 630 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#8. Harpeth Hall School
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: 5-12
- Enrollment: 734 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#7. Baylor School
- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 1,079 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#6. Montgomery Bell Academy
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: 7-12
- Enrollment: 850 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#5. St. Mary's Episcopal School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 783 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#4. The Ensworth School
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 1,280 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#3. University School of Nashville
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 1,074 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#2. Lausanne Collegiate School
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Grades: PK, K-12
- Enrollment: 881 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
#1. McCallie School
- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 992 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A+
