Independent & Secular Schools in East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor
7 independent & secular schools in East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor: 5 registered for EFS and 2 approved for the ESA. From White Station to Ridgeway and River Oaks, the Poplar Avenue corridor holds the region's biggest single-sex prep schools, two Catholic parish schools, a Jewish K-12 and several schools for learning differences.
Funding note: Independent schools register on the same terms as faith schools, and the area's best-known secular prep schools are on the 2026-27 EFS list. Mostly zoned to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, so income-eligible students can usually use the ESA.
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TN category | EFS 2026-27 | ESA (West TN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autism Centers of Tennessee 721 West Brookhaven Circle, Memphis 38117 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | PK-5 | V | Not listed | — |
| Bowie Reading and Learning Center 2550 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis 38119 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | PK-12 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Concord Academy 4942 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis 38117 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | 6-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Hutchison School 1740 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis 38119 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | PK-12 | III | ✓ EFS | ✓ ESA |
| Lausanne Collegiate School 1381 W Massey Rd, Memphis 38120 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | K-12 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| Memphis University School 6191 Park Ave, Memphis 38119 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | 6-12 | III | ✓ EFS | — |
| PAX Academy 5545 Murray Road, Suite 207 #1600, Memphis 38119 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor | K-12 | IV | Not listed | — |
| Flag | Means | Does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| EFS ✓ | The $7,530 EFS can pay here in 2026-27 | A seat or a set tuition |
| ESA ✓ | Approved for MSCS-zone ESA students | Open to students zoned to a municipal district |
| Category IV/V | Approved by Tennessee to operate | Eligible for EFS or the ESA |
All schools in East Memphis & the Poplar Corridor All independent & secular schools
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