Does St. Joseph School accept the Education Freedom Scholarship?
Yes. St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph School?
Yes. St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph School?
St. Joseph School serves grades PK-8 in Madison, Davidson County, with a Catholic affiliation. TDOE's 2026-27 directory reports 350 students; the NCES 2023-24 survey counted 225; that survey works out to about 8 students per teacher. Memberships listed in the federal survey: National Catholic Educational Association.
| Program | Status for this school | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee approval | Category III (CUA-Lumen (NCPSA)) | 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 St. Joseph 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?
- Does the pre-K room take Smart Steps child care payments or host a district Voluntary Pre-K class?
Which private schools are near St. Joseph School?
12 schools in this directory are in Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek; 9 are EFS-registered for 2026-27. See every school in Madison, Goodlettsville & Whites Creek →
St. Pius X Classical Academy
Nashville · Grades PK-8
State record & funding →Independent & Secular SchoolsA New Leaf
Nashville · Grades PK-4
State record & funding →Jewish, Islamic & Other Faith SchoolsClara Mohammed School
Nashville · Grades K-8
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsGoodpasture Christian School
Madison · Grades PK-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsJonathan Edwards Classical Academy
Whites Creek · Grades K-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsLead Christian Academy
Goodlettsville · Grades K-12
State record & funding →