Last verified: October 2026
How many Catholic schools in the Nashville area accept the Education Freedom Scholarship?
16 of the 18 Catholic schools in this directory are on TDOE's 2026-27 EFS registered list, and 11 also appear on the Metro Nashville ESA list. They include parish elementaries such as St. Edward, St. Henry, St. Ann, Christ the King and St. Joseph, plus high schools such as Father Ryan, St. Cecilia Academy and Pope John Paul II Preparatory School.
Each school page lists its approval category and both program flags.
What does Catholic high school cost in Nashville in 2026-27?
Published tuition varies by school; Father Ryan High School lists $28,750 for 2026-27, plus a $550 annual fee and roughly $500 in textbooks. Against that price, EFS covers about a quarter and the MNPS-zone ESA a little over a third.
The rest usually comes from need-based tuition assistance, sibling discounts and payment plans.
Do Nashville Catholic schools require an EFS application for financial aid?
At least one does: Father Ryan says families who plan to accept its tuition assistance must apply for EFS or ESA if eligible. Ask every school the same question before its aid deadline.
Father Ryan's first-round deadline for incoming families is January 15, 2027.
| Is | Isn't | |
|---|---|---|
| EFS ($7,530) | Paid to the school toward tuition and fees | Not enough alone at most high schools |
| ESA ($10,132.54) | Available to income-qualifying MNPS-zone families | Not open to Williamson or Rutherford residents |
| School aid | Need-based, by application | Not guaranteed after deadlines |
What should a Nashville family do next?
Take the two-minute funding check. A tuition counselor will confirm which program fits, what it is worth for your child and which date is next.