Tennessee Public Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies. In Tennessee, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools.
Each school has a charter which explains the school’s purpose and what specific community need it serves. Parents, teachers, and community leaders collaborate by signing a “charter” or agreement with a school district or state agency to establish a charter school, offering students additional educational choices beyond their assigned school. Charter schools enjoy flexibility in areas such as classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, while also being subject to regular assessments based on student achievement. In Tennessee, public charter schools adhere to the same academic standards as other public schools.
If there are more families seeking admittance to a charter school than there are seats, there can be a lottery system to determine admittance.
Find a Charter School
To find charter schools in Tennessee, or in a particular school district, please visit the Tennessee Department of Education or the TDOE School Directory. You can narrow your searches by selecting “Active” in the Status field and “Public Charter” in the School Type field.
Most charter schools do not have attendance zones. If you are interested in applying for your child, you must apply directly to the school. The application and selection process can be quite complicated. Make sure to contact the school early to determine the correct next steps to applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tennessee Charter School Center has a comprehensive list of FAQs and resources for interested families.