About Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools that operate with greater autonomy in exchange for higher accountability. In Tennessee, charter schools are tuition-free, open to all students, and committed to delivering a high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of families across the state.
Since the passage of Tennessee’s charter school law in 2002, these schools have grown to serve thousands of students across the state. Each charter school operates under a performance contract—or "charter"—with an authorizing body, such as a local school district or the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. This allows charter schools to innovate while still being held accountable for academic results and operational performance.
Charter schools in Tennessee offer a wide range of educational models, from STEM-focused programs to classical education. What unites them is a shared commitment to academic excellence, character development, and creating more choices for families in public education.
At Tennessee Classical Academies, we champion a model of education rooted in the classical tradition—one that emphasizes the liberal arts, character formation, and civic virtue. By offering this model through public charter schools, we aim to expand access to a time-tested, content-rich education that prepares students not just for college and career—but for life.
Key Facts
Charter schools are public and tuition-free
Open to all students through a fair and transparent enrollment process
Held to rigorous academic and financial accountability standards
Offer innovative models tailored to community needs
Interested in bringing a classical charter school to your area?
Charter Schools in Tennessee — Key Statistics (2023–2025)
1. Growth & Enrollment
Tennessee now hosts approximately 115 public charter schools, serving over 44,000 students—about 5% of the state's total student population (Source).
Enrollment has skyrocketed by 550% since 2010, up from around 5,000 students (Source).
2. Geographic Reach & Authorizers
Charter schools operate across at least five main districts—Hamilton, Knox, Metro Nashville, Rutherford, and Shelby County—and through various authorizers like the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission and Achievement School District (Source).
As of 2024–25: 114 schools operate under seven authorizers; Shelby County leads with 55 schools, Metro Nashville has 26, and the state commission oversees 17 (Source).
3. Academic Growth & Performance
According to a Stanford CREDO study, charter students gain the equivalent of 34 days in reading and 39 days in math above their peers (Source).
For the 2023–24 school year, 66% of charter schools achieved high TVAAS growth ratings (Levels 4 or 5), compared to just 39% of non-charter schools in the same districts (Source).
4. Letter Grades
36% of charter schools earned A or B grades in 2024 (up from 32% in 2023) (Source).
In Shelby County: 31% of charters vs. 28% district schools
In Nashville: 44% vs. 29%
Under the State Commission: 59% vs. 47% district-wide .
