Shelby County
Private and church schools in Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis
The urban core between the river and Highland Street: an Episcopal parish day school, a boys' K-6 on Poplar, Montessori and lab schools, small church academies and the largest homeschool umbrella program in West Tennessee. 21 schools here; 10 registered for EFS and 12 approved for the ESA.
About these records. Each listing combines the federal Private School Survey (2023-24, or 2021-22 for non-responders) with the Tennessee Department of Education's 2026-27 Non-Public Schools Directory (updated October 5, 2026), the EFS registered-school list (updated August 24, 2026) and the West Tennessee ESA list (updated September 24, 2026), all pulled October 30, 2026. Schools do not report tuition to the state, so ask the school for it.
21
Schools listed here10
Registered for EFS in 2026-2712
Approved on the West Tennessee ESA list4
Category IV or V only, so no EFS or ESA15
Include pre-K8
Teach through grade 12By type
Christian Schools
10 here
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools
9 here
Browse →Catholic Schools
1 here
Browse →All 21 schools in Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TN category | EFS 2026-27 | ESA (West TN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class Montessori 1336 Peabody Ave, Memphis 38104 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-2 | — | Not listed | — |
| Binghampton Christian Academy 175 N. Tillman Street, Memphis 38111 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-8 | II | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Brinkley Heights Urban Academy 3260 Macon Rd, Memphis 38122 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-12 | III, IV | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Creative Life Preparatory School 1222 Riverside Blvd, Memphis 38106 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | K-12 | II, IV | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Gateway Christian Schools 4070 Macon Road, Memphis 38122 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | K-12 | IV | Not listed | — |
| Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School 246 S Belvedere Blvd, Memphis 38104 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-8 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Harmony Independent Schools 1082 Berclair Road, Memphis 38122 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Immaculate Conception Cathedral School 1669 Central Ave, Memphis 38104 | Catholic Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-8 | — | Not listed | — |
| Lipman Early Learning & Research Center (University of Memphis) 3771 Poplar Avenue, Memphis 38111 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-K | V | Not listed | — |
| Lord's Tabernacle Christian Academy 2818 Midland, Memphis 38111 | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-3 | IV | Not listed | — | |
| Maria Montessori School 740 Harbor Bend Rd, Memphis 38103 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-8 | V | Not listed | — |
| Memphis Heritage Christian School 3802 Gragg Avenue, Memphis 38108 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-8 | I | Not listed | ✓ ESA |
| Midtown Montessori School 1430 Poplar Ave, Memphis 38104 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-6 | — | Not listed | — |
| Miraaj Academy - Sacred Seeds School 594 N 2nd Street, Memphis 38105 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | K-5 | III | Not listed | ✓ ESA |
| Presbyterian Day School 4025 Poplar Ave, Memphis 38111 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-6 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| PURE Academy 3925 Chelsea Ave Ext., Memphis 38108 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | 9-12 | I | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| St. Luke's Day School 480 S Highland St, Memphis 38111 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-K | — | Not listed | — |
| Tennessee Preparatory Academy 2835 Broad Ave, Memphis 38112 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | 10-12 | — | Not listed | — |
| The Collegiate School of Memphis 3353 Faxon Ave, Memphis 38122 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | 6-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| The Lab School of Memphis 1738 Galloway Ave., Memphis 38112 | Independent & Secular Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-9 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Word of Faith Christian Academy 3528 Sharpe Ave, Memphis 38111 | Christian Schools | Midtown, Downtown, North & South Memphis | PK-12 | II, IV | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Source | Can families here use it? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Education Freedom Scholarship | Yes | $7,530 anywhere in Tennessee |
| ESA | Usually, for income-eligible students zoned to MSCS | Decided by the zoned public school |
| IEA | When the child has a covered IEP | Income is not tested |
| MOST | Yes | Need-based, partner schools |
| Pre-K | MSCS Pre-K (year-round application) | Priority by income |
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