Last verified: October 2026
What are the five private school categories in Tennessee?
Category I schools are approved directly by TDOE and use licensed teachers; Category I-Special Purpose covers schools serving students in short-term medical or transient care. Category II schools are accredited by an agency the State Board of Education authorizes, Category III by a regional accreditor such as Cognia or SAIS, Category IV schools are church-related schools approved through an association in state law, and Category V schools apply directly to TDOE and need teachers with at least a bachelor's degree.
All categories must run background checks, keep a 180-day calendar at 6.5 hours a day and report enrollment to the local district.
Which Tennessee private school categories can accept EFS and ESA money?
Only Categories I, II and III. EFS also requires the school to have a Tennessee campus and to register each year, and ESA requires separate approval. The IEA is broader and accepts Categories I through V.
In TDOE's 2026-27 directory, 122 of the schools listed in the five counties hold at least one of Categories I-III, 35 hold only Category IV and 21 are Category V.
Is an accredited school automatically EFS-eligible?
No. Accreditation can earn a school Category II or III approval, but it still has to register with the EFS program in the annual window, and some accredited schools have chosen not to. Registration for 2027-28 runs November 16, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
Conversely, a Category I school needs no outside accreditor at all to be EFS-eligible.
Do Tennessee private schools give standardized tests?
Categories I, II, III and V must give a nationally standardized achievement test in English language arts and math to students in grades 3 through 11 each year and share the results with parents. Category IV schools are exempt from certain state requirements.
ESA students additionally take the state TCAP in grades 3-11.
| Category | How approved | EFS / ESA | IEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (and I-SP) | Direct TDOE application | Yes | Yes |
| II | SBE-authorized accrediting agency | Yes | Yes |
| III | Regional accreditor (e.g., Cognia, SAIS, MSA) | Yes | Yes |
| IV | Church-related association in state law | No | Yes |
| V | Direct TDOE application | No | Yes |
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.