By type
Independent & Secular Schools around Nashville
Non-religious private schools — college prep, progressive, language-immersion, early-learning franchises and specialized academies.
AllCatholic SchoolsChristian SchoolsJewish, Islamic & Other Faith SchoolsIndependent & Secular SchoolsMontessori & Waldorf SchoolsSpecial Education & Learning-Differences SchoolsPreschool & Early LearningHigh Schools (Grades 9-12)
Funding note: Independent schools register for EFS on the same terms as religious ones. A few of the region's largest have not appeared on the 2026-27 registered list, so check before you plan.
54
Schools in this list23
On TDOE's 2026-27 EFS registered list7
On the Middle Tennessee ESA list9
Category IV or V only — outside EFS and ESA31
Offer pre-K18
Serve grade 12By community
Independent & Secular Schools in West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue
11 schools · 2 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill
10 schools · 5 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville
6 schools · 3 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County
6 schools · 1 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill
5 schools · 2 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Hendersonville
4 schools · 2 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek
3 schools · 2 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Brentwood & Nolensville
3 schools · 3 EFS-registered
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Gallatin, Portland & northern Sumner
3 schools · 1 EFS-registered
Browse →All 54 independent & secular schools
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TN category | EFS 2026-27 | ESA list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A New Leaf 4335 Pecan Valley Rd, Nashville 37218 | Independent & Secular Schools | Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek | PK-4 | I | ✓ EFS | — |
| Abintra Montessori School 914 Davidson Dr, Nashville 37205 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | PK-8 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| B.E. Academy for Girls 500 Hillside Court, Nashville 37203 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | 5-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Bambini Village Montessori School 1140 Cason Ln, Murfreesboro 37128 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | PK-K | V | Not listed | — |
| Benton Hall Academy 5555 Franklin Pike, Nashville 37220 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill | 3-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Casa dei Montessori 7646 Hwy 70 S, Nashville 37221 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | K-5 | V | Not listed | — |
| Cedar Grove School 1640 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro 37130 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | 5-12 | — | Not listed | — |
| City School of Nashville 631 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville 37210 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | 5-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Cool Springs Montessori 207 Gothic Ct, Franklin 37067 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | K | V | Not listed | — |
| Currey Ingram Academy 6544 Murray Ln, Brentwood 37027 | Independent & Secular Schools | Brentwood & Nolensville | K-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Ensworth School: High School First Campus 7401 Hwy 100, Nashville 37221 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | 9-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Ensworth School: Lower/Middle School Red Gables Campus 211 Ensworth Pl, Nashville 37205 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | K-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Fusion Academy Franklin 2550 Meridian Blvd Suite 100, Franklin 37067 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | 6-12 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Galileo Preparatory Academy 325 Seaboard Lane, Suite 150, Franklin 37067 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | K-11 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Gallatin Primary Assessment Center 220 S Hickory Ave, Gallatin 37066 | Independent & Secular Schools | Gallatin, Portland & northern Sumner | 6-12 | I-SP | Not listed | — |
| Gateway Academy at the Learning Lab 5500 Maryland Way Suite 110, Brentwood 37027 | Independent & Secular Schools | Brentwood & Nolensville | 2-12 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Genesis Learning Centers: Genesis Academy 430 Allied Dr, Nashville 37211 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill | K-12 | I | Not listed | — |
| Genesis Teen Learning Center of Rutherford County 802 S Church St, Murfreesboro 37130 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | 9-11 | I-SP | Not listed | — |
| Green Hills Child Development 3420 Belmont Blvd, Nashville 37215 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | K | V | Not listed | — |
| Guidepost Montessori at Green Hills 1710 Woodmont Blvd, Nashville 37215 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | PK-6 | — | Not listed | — |
| Harding Academy 170 Windsor Dr, Nashville 37205 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | PK-8 | III | Not listed | — |
| Harpeth Hall School 3801 Hobbs Rd, Nashville 37215 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | 5-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Harpeth Montessori 244 Noah Dr, Franklin 37064 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-5 | III | Not listed | — |
| Hendersonville Day School 107 Rockland Road, Hendersonville 37075 | Independent & Secular Schools | Hendersonville | PK-K | I | ✓ EFS | — |
| Hendersonville Montessori Academy 162 New Shackle Island Rd, Hendersonville 37075 | Independent & Secular Schools | Hendersonville | PK-7 | V | Not listed | — |
| Hermitage Hall 1220 8th Ave S, Nashville 37203 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | 1-12 | I-SP, III | Not listed | — |
| High Hopes Development Center 301 High Hopes Ct, Franklin 37064 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-K | — | Not listed | — |
| Linden Waldorf School 3201 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville 37215 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | PK-8 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Montessori Academy 100 Montessori Dr, Brentwood 37027 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill | PK-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Montessori Centre 4608 Granny White Pike, Nashville 37220 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill | PK-K | I | Not listed | — |
| Montessori East 801 Porter Rd, Nashville 37206 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | PK-5 | V | Not listed | — |
| Montessori School of Franklin 1715 Columbia Ave Suite 300, Franklin 37064 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-4 | I | ✓ EFS | — |
| Montessori Teacher Training Center for TN/NCME 162 New Shackle Island Rd, Hendersonville 37075 | Independent & Secular Schools | Hendersonville | PK-5 | — | Not listed | — |
| Montessori Weaver School 111 Mtcs Rd, Murfreesboro 37129 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | PK-K | V | Not listed | — |
| Montgomery Bell Academy 4001 Harding Pike, Nashville 37205 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | 7-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Music City Montessori 3028 Lebanon Pike, Nashville 37214 | Independent & Secular Schools | Donelson, Hermitage & Old Hickory | PK-4 | I | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Brentwood 5320 Maryland Way, Brentwood 37027 | Independent & Secular Schools | Brentwood & Nolensville | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Cool Springs 1010 Windcross Ct, Franklin 37067 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-K | III | Not listed | — |
| Primrose School of Gallatin 1760 Greenlea Blvd., Gallatin 37066 | Independent & Secular Schools | Gallatin, Portland & northern Sumner | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Hendersonville 107 Springhouse Ct., Hendersonville 37075 | Independent & Secular Schools | Hendersonville | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Mt. Juliet 111 Belinda Pkwy, Mt. Juliet 37122 | Independent & Secular Schools | Mt. Juliet & Lebanon | PK-K | III | Not listed | — |
| Primrose School of Murfreesboro 554 Brandies Cir, Murfreesboro 37128 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | PK-K | III | Not listed | — |
| Primrose School of Nashville 12 South 2400 10th Avenue South, Nashville 37204 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Nashville, Antioch & Oak Hill | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Nashville Midtown 1915 Charlotte Ave, Nashville 37203 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of North Murfreesboro 2308 Wendelwood Drive, Murfreesboro 37129 | Independent & Secular Schools | Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Primrose School of Spring Hill 3090 Campbell Station Pkwy, Spring Hill 37174 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-K | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Sol Spanish Immersion Schools 1113 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin 37064 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-2 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Southern Angels Comprehensive Academy 4243 Lebanon Pike, Suite C, Hermitage 37076 | Independent & Secular Schools | Donelson, Hermitage & Old Hickory | K-8 | I | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Sumner Academy 464 Nichols Ln, Gallatin 37066 | Independent & Secular Schools | Gallatin, Portland & northern Sumner | PK-8 | III | Not listed | — |
| Thales Academy 3835 Carothers Pkwy, Franklin 37067 | Independent & Secular Schools | Franklin, Cool Springs & Spring Hill | PK-7 | V | Not listed | — |
| The Children's House of Nashville Montessori School 3404 Belmont Blvd, Nashville 37215 | Independent & Secular Schools | West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue | PK-K | V | Not listed | — |
| The Edison School 610 W Old Hickory Blvd, Madison 37115 | Independent & Secular Schools | Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek | K-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| University School of Nashville 2000 Edgehill Ave, Nashville 37212 | Independent & Secular Schools | Downtown, Midtown, North & East Nashville | K-12 | III | Not listed | — |
| Wayne Academy Davidson County 3981 Stewarts Ln, Nashville 37218 | Independent & Secular Schools | Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek | 8-12 | I-SP | Not listed | — |
| Count here | What it means | |
|---|---|---|
| On the EFS list | 23 | EFS can pay tuition and fees in 2026-27 |
| Eligible category, not registered | 18 | Could register for 2027-28 |
| Category IV/V only | 9 | Outside EFS and ESA; IEA still possible |
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