Does Lancaster Christian Academy accept the Education Freedom Scholarship?
Yes. Lancaster Christian Academy 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 Lancaster Christian Academy?
Yes. Lancaster Christian Academy 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. The school sits outside Davidson County, but ESA eligibility depends on where the student is zoned, not where the school is.
What do the state records say about Lancaster Christian Academy?
Lancaster Christian Academy serves grades PK-12 in Smyrna, Rutherford County, with a Christian (non-denominational) affiliation. TDOE's 2026-27 directory reports 292 students; the NCES 2023-24 survey counted 248; that survey works out to about 9 students per teacher; 75% of graduates went on to four-year colleges in the same survey.
| Program | Status for this school | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee approval | Category II, IV (TANAS) | 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 Lancaster Christian Academy 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 dual-enrollment college courses do students take, and does the school help with the TSAC Dual Enrollment Grant?
- Does the pre-K room take Smart Steps child care payments or host a district Voluntary Pre-K class?
Which private schools are near Lancaster Christian Academy?
20 schools in this directory are in Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County; 11 are EFS-registered for 2026-27. See every school in Murfreesboro, Smyrna & Rutherford County →
Abundant Life Christian Academy
Murfreesboro · Grades K-10
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsBill Rice Christian Academy
Murfreesboro · Grades PK-11
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsCommunity Christian Day School
Smyrna · Grades PK-5
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsFranklin Road Christian School
Murfreesboro · Grades PK-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsMiddle Tennessee Christian School
Murfreesboro · Grades PK-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsMurfreesboro Adventist School
Murfreesboro · Grades 1-10
State record & funding →