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Best private high schools in Tennessee

Written by:
April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in Tennessee

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Tennessee using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

A class of high schoolers as viewed from the rear.
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#30. Notre Dame High School

- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Enrollment: 388 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#29. Briarcrest Christian School

- Location: Eads, TN
- Enrollment: 1,720 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#28. Brentwood Academy

- Location: Brentwood, TN
- Enrollment: 766 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#27. Central Baptist School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 144 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#26. Davidson Academy

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 625 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. St. Andrew's School

- Location: Sevierville, TN
- Enrollment: 29 (1:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. Pleasant View School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 404 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. Harding Academy of Memphis

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 642 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#22. St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 771 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#21. Christ Presbyterian Academy

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,298 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#20. Pope John Paul II Preparatory School

- Location: Hendersonville, TN
- Enrollment: 735 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#19. Girls Preparatory School

- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Enrollment: 516 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#18. Augustine School

- Location: Jackson, TN
- Enrollment: 210 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#17. St. Andrew's-Sewanee School

- Location: Sewanee, TN
- Enrollment: 236 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#16. Christian Brothers High School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 720 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. University School of Jackson

- Location: Jackson, TN
- Enrollment: 1,103 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. St. George's Independent School - Collierville Campus

- Location: Collierville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,076 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. Battle Ground Academy

- Location: Franklin, TN
- Enrollment: 905 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Webb School of Knoxville

- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,036 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#11. The Webb School

- Location: Bell Buckle, TN
- Enrollment: 405 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#10. The Ensworth School

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,220 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Baylor School

- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Enrollment: 1,079 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. Hutchison School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 809 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Memphis University School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 630 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. St. Mary's Episcopal School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 825 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. Montgomery Bell Academy

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 850 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. McCallie School

- Location: Chattanooga, TN
- Enrollment: 977 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Harpeth Hall School

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 725 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. University School of Nashville

- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,076 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Lausanne Collegiate School

- Location: Memphis, TN
- Enrollment: 917 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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