Does Akiva School accept the Education Freedom Scholarship?
Yes. Akiva School is on the Tennessee Department of Education's 2026-27 list of EFS-registered schools, so a student with an Education Freedom Scholarship can apply the $7,530 award to tuition and fees here, with any remainder available for approved extras.
TDOE releases EFS money to the school in four installments (50% in August, 20% in October, 20% in January, 10% in March), and the family approves each tuition payment in the EFS portal.
Can a Metro Nashville ESA student use funds at Akiva School?
Yes. Akiva School is on TDOE's Middle Tennessee ESA participating-school list (updated September 24, 2026). A student zoned to Metro Nashville Public Schools whose prior-year household income is no more than twice the free-lunch guideline can use a $10,132.54 ESA here instead of EFS.
The 2027-28 ESA application opens February 2, 2027 and closes April 15, 2027.
What do the state records say about Akiva School?
Akiva School serves grades K-6 in Nashville, Davidson County, with a Jewish affiliation. TDOE's 2026-27 directory reports 75 students; the NCES 2023-24 survey counted 114; that survey works out to about 4 students per teacher. Memberships listed in the federal survey: Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools.
| Program | Status for this school | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee approval | Category III (Cognia) | A category decides which programs can pay, not school quality |
| Education Freedom Scholarship | On the 2026-27 registered list | $7,530 per student when listed |
| ESA (MNPS zone only) | On the 9/24/26 Middle Tennessee list | $10,132.54 for qualifying MNPS-zone students |
| IEA (students with an IEP) | Category allows IEA use | School must also agree to participate |
What should parents ask Akiva School about cost and aid?
Start with the questions the state records cannot answer:
- Is the school registered for EFS for 2027-28, and is it on the ESA list if we live in the MNPS zone?
- What is tuition for my child's grade, and which fees fall outside it?
- What need-based aid, sibling discount or church-member rate applies after the state award?
- Does the school's aid application require us to apply for EFS or ESA first?
Which private schools are near Akiva School?
23 schools in this directory are in West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue; 13 are EFS-registered for 2026-27. See every school in West End, Belle Meade, Green Hills & Bellevue →
Kehilla Upper School of Nashville (Jewish Middle School)
Nashville · Grades 5-8
State record & funding →Jewish, Islamic & Other Faith SchoolsNashville International Academy
Nashville · Grades PK-11
State record & funding →Independent & Secular SchoolsAbintra Montessori School
Nashville · Grades PK-8
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsChrist Presbyterian Academy
Nashville · Grades PK-12
State record & funding →Catholic SchoolsHoly Trinity Montessori
Nashville · Grades PK-8
State record & funding →Independent & Secular SchoolsLinden Waldorf School
Nashville · Grades PK-8
State record & funding →