#1 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Harpeth Hall School
Independent school · Grades 5–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Nashville, TN
A+Overall gradeAll girls724 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Tennessee. Top 23 of 23 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Hutchison School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Memphis, TN
A+Overall gradeAll girls697 students7 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
The Webb School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Bell Buckle, TN
A+Overall grade411 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Webb School of Knoxville
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
A+Overall grade1,048 students8 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Lausanne Collegiate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Memphis
Memphis, TN
A+Overall grade828 students8 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Memphis University School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Memphis, TN
A+Overall gradeAll boys609 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Montgomery Bell Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
The only all-boys school in Nashville
Nashville, TN
A+Overall gradeAll boys850 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Tates School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of independent schools in Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
A+Overall grade184 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Bodine School
Independent school · Grades 1–6
The only independent school in Germantown
Germantown, TN
A+Overall grade100 students6 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Ashley Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Johnson City
Johnson City, TN
AOverall grade104 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
J Frank White Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Harrogate, TN
A-Overall grade159 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Mountain Youth Academy
Independent school · Grades 2–12
Growing: enrollment up 47% since 2011–12
Mountain City, TN
A-Overall grade78 students8 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Linden Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Nashville, TN
A-Overall grade131 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Baylor School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The largest of 50 independent schools in Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN
B+Overall grade1,078 students11 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Hermitage Hall
Independent school · Grades 1–12
Serving families in Nashville since at least 2011
Nashville, TN
B+Overall grade85 students11 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Girls Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
The only all-girls school in Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
B+Overall gradeAll girls516 students10 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Morris Wilson Campus School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
An independent school in Arlington
Arlington, TN
B+Overall grade87 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Wayne Academy Mtn. View
Independent school · Grades 8–12
Smaller classes than 73% of independent schools in Tennessee
Dandridge, TN
B+Overall gradeAll boys79 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
The Bright School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any independent school in Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
BOverall grade278 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Templeton Academy
Independent school · Grades 5–12
One of 8 independent schools in Nashville
Nashville, TN
BOverall grade125 students10 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Clayton-Bradley Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Maryville
Maryville, TN
B-Overall grade431 students12 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Clarksville Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Clarksville, TN
B-Overall grade530 students12 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in Tennessee
Thales Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–7
The largest independent school in Franklin
Franklin, TN
B-Overall grade283 students14 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.