St. Cecilia Academy Photo - Situated on 83 acres in the heart of West Nashville, St. Cecilia Academy is the oldest continually running high school in the area. Girls in grades 7-12 get an exemplary education as part of the Dominican Difference.

Oldest Private High Schools in Tennessee

The average private high school in Tennessee was founded around 1970 (2024-25).
The oldest private high school in Tennessee is St. Mary's Episcopal School, founded in 1847.
Year Founded Range: 1847 1969 Avg. Year Founded: 1915

Oldest Private High Schools in Tennessee (2024-25)

School
Founding Date
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
St. Mary's Episcopal School
St. Mary's Episcopal School Photo - Each girl's program of study is as unique as she is. Every year, we meet one-on-one with each girl and her family to discuss course options that best fit her interests, goals, and extracurricular life.
All-girls (Episcopal)
(2)
Founding Date: 1847
Grades: NS-12
60 Perkins Extended
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 537-1472
Rank: #22.
St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School
St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School Photo - Teachers foster meaningful connections and offer support so every student feels a sense of belonging.
(Catholic)
(7)
Founding Date: 1851
Grades: PK-12
4830 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 435-5819
Rank: #33.
St. Cecilia Academy
St. Cecilia Academy Photo - Situated on 83 acres in the heart of West Nashville, St. Cecilia Academy is the oldest continually running high school in the area. Girls in grades 7-12 get an exemplary education as part of the Dominican Difference.
All-girls (Catholic)
(2)
Founding Date: 1860
Grades: 7-12
4210 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-4525
Rank: #44.
Harpeth Hall School
Harpeth Hall School Photo - The Harpeth Hall student is an independent thinker, a thoughtful risk-taker, a problem solver, a clarion voice, an authentic spirit, and an empathetic friend.
All-girls
Founding Date: 1865
Grades: 5-12
3801 Hobbs Road
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 297-9543
Rank: #55.
Montgomery Bell Academy
Montgomery Bell Academy Photo - Montgomery Bell Academy's 146th Commencement
All-boys
(1)
Founding Date: 1867
Grades: 7-12
4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514
Rank: #66.
St. Andrew's-sewanee School
St. Andrew's-sewanee School Photo - One of the South's Most Beautiful High Schools, as chosen by Southern Living magazine, the school's 550-acre campus, including forests, bluffs and two lakes, offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. A school farm, on-going wetlands study, and LEED Gold science building are just a few of the ways our campus also serves as learning lab.
(Episcopal)
Founding Date: 1868
Grades: 6-12
290 Quintard Rd
Sewanee, TN 37375
(931) 463-2163
Rank: #77.
The Webb School
The Webb School Photo
(13)
Founding Date: 1870
Grades: 6-12
319 Webb Road East
Bell Buckle, TN 37020
(931) 389-6003
Rank: #88.
Christian Brothers High School
Christian Brothers High School Photo
All-boys (Catholic)
Founding Date: 1871
Grades: 9-12
5900 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 261-4900
Rank: #99.
Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1876
Grades: 9-12
2701 Vermont Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 624-4618
Rank: #1010.
The King's Academy
The King's Academy Photo
(Baptist)
Founding Date: 1880
Grades: PK-12
202 Smothers Rd
Seymour, TN 37865
(865) 573-8321
Rank: #1111.
Battle Ground Academy
Battle Ground Academy Photo - Middle School Art
(2)
Founding Date: 1889
Grades: K-12
336 Ernest Rice Lane
Franklin, TN 37069
(615) 794-3501
Rank: #1212.
Lipscomb Academy
Lipscomb Academy Photo - At Lipscomb Academy, the Endeavor Program empowers students to reach new heights through innovative, hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. With a flexible schedule, students can tailor their learning to fit their individual needs and interests, ensuring they thrive both academically and personally.
(Church of Christ)
(3)
Founding Date: 1891
Grades: NS-12
3901 Granny White Pike
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 966-1600
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Baylor School
Baylor School Photo - Baylor's 690-acre campus is located on the Tennessee River and surrounded by mountains.
Founding Date: 1893
Grades: 6-12
171 Baylor School Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 267-5902
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Memphis University School
Memphis University School Photo - Founded in 1893, Memphis University School provides an exceptional education for boys in grades 7-12.
All-boys
Founding Date: 1893
Grades: 6-12
6191 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 260-1304
Rank: #1515.
Hutchison School
Hutchison School Photo - At Hutchison, girls discover the joy of learning.
All-girls
(8)
Founding Date: 1902
Grades: NS-12
1740 Ridgeway Rd
Memphis, TN 38119
(901) 762-6672
Rank: #1616.
McCallie School
McCallie School Photo - McCallie offers hundreds of weekend activities all year long, from intramural sports on campus to out-of-town trips to concerts, sporting events, and outdoor activities. No matter what you're interested in, McCallie has an activity to match it.
All-boys (Christian)
(4)
Founding Date: 1905
Grades: 6-12
500 Dodds Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 624-8300
Rank: #1717.
Girls Preparatory School
All-girls
Founding Date: 1906
Grades: 6-12
205 Island Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 634-7600
Rank: #1818.
Memphis Junior Academy
Memphis Junior Academy Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
(1)
Founding Date: 1910
Grades: PK-10
50 N Mendenhall Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-1061
Rank: #1919.
Founding Date: 1915
Grades: K-12
2000 Edgehill Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 321-8000
Rank: #2020.
Father Ryan High School
Father Ryan High School Photo
(Catholic)
(1)
Founding Date: 1925
Grades: 9-12
700 Norwood Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 383-4200
Rank: #2121.
Lausanne Collegiate School
Lausanne Collegiate School Photo - Lausanne Collegiate School is dedicated to small class sizes and differentiation for students. There are many opportunities for one-on-one time with teachers for better understanding of concepts. Classes offer the opportunity for open dialogue and reflection in addition to inquiry and research.
(10)
Founding Date: 1926
Grades: NS-12
1381 W Massey Rd
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 474-1000
Rank: #2222.
Knoxville Catholic High School
Knoxville Catholic High School Photo
(Catholic)
Founding Date: 1932
Grades: 9-12
9245 Fox Lonas Rd
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 560-0313
Rank: #2323.
Laurelbrook School
Laurelbrook School Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
Founding Date: 1950
Grades: 9-12
114 Campus Dr Frnt
Dayton, TN 37321
(423) 775-3339
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Boyd Buchanan School
Boyd Buchanan School Photo
(Church of Christ)
Founding Date: 1952
Grades: PK-12
4650 Buccaneer Trail
Chattanooga, TN 37411
(706) 270-3108
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Harding Academy
Harding Academy Photo
(Christian)
Founding Date: 1952
Grades: NS-12
1100 Cherry Road
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 767-4494
Rank: #2626.
Webb School Of Knoxville
(1)
Founding Date: 1955
Grades: PK-12
9800 Webb School Ln
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 291-3832
Rank: #2727.
The Ensworth School
The Ensworth School Photo - In the Lower School, classroom teachers and enrichment teachers work together to engage students in active learning where questions and curiosity are encouraged. Students are introduced to fundamental content and Core Skills that they will continue to develop throughout their Ensworth experience, laying a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning.
(2)
Founding Date: 1958
Grades: K-12
211 Ensworth Place
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 383-0661
Rank: #2828.
St. George's Independent School
St. George's Independent School Photo - From the youngest ages, students have incredible opportunities to enhance their classroom learning with real world experiences on our beautiful 250+ acres of woods and wetlands.
(Episcopal)
(12)
Founding Date: 1959
Grades: NS-12
1880 Wolf River Boulevard
Collierville, TN 38017
(901) 457-2000
Rank: #2929.
Middle Tennessee Christian School
Middle Tennessee Christian School Photo
(Church of Christ)
Founding Date: 1962
Grades: PK-12
100 E MTCS Rd
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 893-0601
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Evangelical Christian School
Evangelical Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(4)
Founding Date: 1965
Grades: NS-12
7600 Macon Road
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 754-7217
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Fayette Academy
Fayette Academy Photo
(8)
Founding Date: 1965
Grades: PK-12
15090 US-64
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 465-3241
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Goodpasture Christian School
(Church of Christ)
Founding Date: 1965
Grades: NS-12
619 W Due West Avenue
Madison, TN 37115
(615) 868-2600
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Tipton-Rosemark Academy
Tipton-Rosemark Academy Photo
(Christian)
Founding Date: 1965
Grades: PK-12
8696 Rosemark Rd
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 799-8696
Rank: #3434.
Currey Ingram Academy
Currey Ingram Academy Photo - This is the east side of Jennifer & Billy Frist Hall as seen from the fields behind the Lower School.
Special Education School
(1)
Founding Date: 1968
Grades: PK-12
6544 Murray Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 507-3242
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy Photo - The Iron Eagles Robotics team has qualified and competed in the VEX World Robotics competition for the past three years, winning the coveted Design Award in 2015.
(Christian)
(2)
Founding Date: 1969
Grades: 6-12
219 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 523-0611
Show 100 more private schools in TN (out of 138 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tennessee average private high schools founding year?
The Tennessee average private high schools founding year is 1970 for 2024-25.
What are the private high schools with oldest founding year in Tennessee?
The top ranked private high schools in Tennessee include St. Mary's Episcopal School, St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School and St. Cecilia Academy.

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