Last verified: October 2026
Does it matter which county I move to for private school funding in Nashville?
Yes. Only students zoned to Metro Nashville Public Schools can use the $10,132.54 ESA, so a family in Antioch or Donelson has an option a family in Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville or Mt. Juliet does not. The $7,530 Education Freedom Scholarship and the IEA are statewide.
Davidson County also holds 72 of the 137 schools in this directory.
Can a family new to Tennessee get an Education Freedom Scholarship?
A family must be Tennessee residents to apply, with two residency proofs, and the student must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present. EFS has no prior-year public school requirement, which makes it the most accessible program for new arrivals.
The IEA also accepts students who moved to Tennessee within the past year, provided the student has an active Tennessee IEP.
How should newcomers use the Nashville private school directory?
Start with a community page, check each school's approval category and EFS or ESA flag, then confirm tuition directly. The 11 community pages cover Davidson's five areas plus Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Gallatin and Mt. Juliet.
Kindergarten in Tennessee requires a child to be five by August 15, with limited exceptions.
| Davidson County (MNPS zone) | Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson | |
|---|---|---|
| EFS | Yes | Yes |
| ESA | Yes, if income qualifies | No |
| IEA | Yes, with IEP | Yes, with IEP |
| Pre-K application | MNPS | Your county or city district |
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.