Find Top Programs in Tennessee

Discover Tennessee schools and centers with individualized instruction, low student-teacher ratios, and integrated social-emotional support. Browse programs across 34 cities with 100 total programs.

100

Programs Listed

Cities Covered

Let us help you find the right fit

Our team can match your child with schools in Tennessee.

Featured Providers in Tennessee

Compare highlighted schools and ABA therapy centers serving families across Tennessee.

FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Blossom ABA Therapy

Serving Tennessee

Blossom ABA Therapy is a great fit for Tennessee families seeking personalized, compassionate ABA therapy delivered where their child feels most comfortable. Our therapists provide individualized, evidence-based support in the home, allowing children to build communication, social, behavioral, and daily living skills within their natural routines. Each child’s care is guided by a BCBA, carried out by a dedicated RBT, and supported through ongoing collaboration with parents and caregivers. We acc

View profileProfile

Cities with Schools in Tennessee

Explore schools across 34 cities in Tennessee. Use search to quickly find schools in your area.

Popular Cities

Cities with the most schools

All Cities A-Z

34 cities total

Cities Starting with A

1 city

Alcoa

1 school

Alcoa, Tennessee

Cities Starting with B

3 cities

Blountville

1 school

Blountville, Tennessee

Brentwood

4 schools

Brentwood, Tennessee

Bristol

1 school

Bristol, Tennessee

Cities Starting with C

4 cities

Chattanooga

3 schools

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Collierville

1 school

Collierville, Tennessee

Columbia

2 schools

Columbia, Tennessee

Cordova

1 school

Cordova, Tennessee

Cities Starting with E

1 city

Eads

1 school

Eads, Tennessee

Cities Starting with F

1 city

Franklin

1 school

Franklin, Tennessee

Cities Starting with G

5 cities

Gallatin

13 schools

Gallatin, Tennessee

Germantown

2 schools

Germantown, Tennessee

Goodlettsville

4 schools

Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Greenbrier

1 school

Greenbrier, Tennessee

Greeneville

1 school

Greeneville, Tennessee

Cities Starting with H

2 cities

Hendersonville

6 schools

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Hermitage

1 school

Hermitage, Tennessee

Cities Starting with J

1 city

Johnson City

1 school

Johnson City, Tennessee

Cities Starting with K

2 cities

Kingsport

5 schools

Kingsport, Tennessee

Knoxville

1 school

Knoxville, Tennessee

Cities Starting with L

1 city

La Vergne

4 schools

La Vergne, Tennessee

Cities Starting with M

5 cities

Madison

1 school

Madison, Tennessee

Maryville

6 schools

Maryville, Tennessee

Memphis

3 schools

Memphis, Tennessee

Mt. Juliet

4 schools

Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Murfreesboro

1 school

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cities Starting with N

2 cities

Nashville

8 schools

Nashville, Tennessee

Newport

1 school

Newport, Tennessee

Cities Starting with O

1 city

Oak Ridge

7 schools

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Cities Starting with R

1 city

Rockvale

1 school

Rockvale, Tennessee

Cities Starting with S

3 cities

Sevierville

1 school

Sevierville, Tennessee

Seymour

1 school

Seymour, Tennessee

Smyrna

8 schools

Smyrna, Tennessee

Cities Starting with T

1 city

Tullahoma

3 schools

Tullahoma, Tennessee

Special Education in Tennessee: What Parents Need to Know

Tennessee uses a 60-calendar-day evaluation deadline in which weekends and holidays count. It also has two distinct family-directed programs: the disability-focused Individualized Education Account and the broader Education Freedom Scholarship.

We currently list 100 specialized schools and programs across 34 communities in Tennessee.

Evaluation and IEP timing in Tennessee

The initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days after signed consent, with weekends and holidays included. If the student is eligible, the first IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days.

Every calendar day counts after signed consent
The initial evaluation is due within 60 calendar days
The initial IEP is due within 30 calendar days after eligibility

How specialized placements are funded in Tennessee

The Individualized Education Account Program provides eligible students with disabilities funds for approved education expenses. The Education Freedom Scholarship is a separate statewide private-school program with its own eligibility and priority rules.

IEA eligibility is tied to disability and program participation requirements
Education Freedom Scholarships are administered separately
Leaving public school with an account is different from a district-funded IEP placement

Types of Special Needs Schools in Tennessee

Not every placement type exists in every state. These are the settings families actually find in Tennessee.

IEA-participating and state-approved private schools

Tennessee families may use an IEA at approved providers, while districts separately place students in contracted settings when required by an IEP.

Best for: Students whose funding route, IEP, or support needs match this state-specific placement category

District and regional public programs

Tennessee districts may serve students in neighborhood schools, separate classrooms, regional cooperatives, or public separate schools depending on the IEP.

Best for: Students who can receive FAPE within the public-school continuum

Autism and therapeutic day schools

These programs combine academics with behavioral, communication, sensory, or clinical support. Approval and public-payment status must be checked separately.

Best for: Students who need coordinated instruction and therapeutic support throughout the school day

Independent schools for learning differences

These schools commonly focus on dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, executive function, or small-group instruction.

Best for: Students who need specialized teaching but not an intensive therapeutic placement

Tennessee Special Needs School Questions

How long does a special education evaluation take in Tennessee?

What funding can families use for a specialized school in Tennessee?

Can a Tennessee district pay for a private special education placement?

Yes, when the IEP team determines that the district cannot provide FAPE in its own programs. The public agency then remains responsible for the placement and IEP. A family-selected private enrollment or scholarship is a different legal and funding route.

What types of specialized schools operate in Tennessee?

The state-specific options described on this page include IEA-participating and state-approved private schools, District and regional public programs, Autism and therapeutic day schools, Independent schools for learning differences. Approval, tuition responsibility, and admission rules differ by setting, so confirm both the school's status and who is responsible for payment before enrolling.

Where should I start for a child under three in Tennessee?

Tennessee Early Intervention System is the state's birth-to-three starting point. TEIS serves eligible infants and toddlers and coordinates transition to local school preschool services.

Tennessee Guides & Resources

Next steps for families comparing schools, requesting an evaluation, or working out how to pay for a placement.

How to request a special education evaluation

Start the written record before tracking Tennessee's evaluation timeline.

Complete IEP guide

Prepare for eligibility, services, placement, and annual review decisions.

504 plan vs IEP

Compare the protections and services available through each plan.

Choosing a special needs school

Questions to ask when comparing programs in Tennessee.

Early intervention guide

Understand birth-to-three services and the transition into Tennessee schools.

IEP meeting prep checklist

Organize records, questions, and priorities before the team meets.

Autism rates by state

Compare federal autism-identification data for Tennessee.

Restraint and seclusion by state

Review federal civil-rights data when comparing Tennessee programs.

Sources for this page

State rules change. This page was last reviewed against primary sources on July 28, 2026. Confirm current requirements with your school district or the relevant state agency before making a decision.

Find Your Perfect Match

With 100 schools and centers across 34 cities in Tennessee, we'll help you find the right educational environment for your child's unique needs.