Public schools in Tennessee are operated by independent school districts governed by locally elected boards and overseen by the Tennessee Department of Education, which sets academic standards, graduation requirements, and accountability frameworks for all public schools in the state. Tennessee distributes state funding to districts through a formula that accounts for student enrollment, local property wealth, and special population needs.
Public Schools locations are available in 375 cities across Tennessee. They are spread across 96 counties.
Cities with the highest concentration of public schools include Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, reflecting larger urban populations with extensive school district networks serving tens of thousands of students across many campuses.
Families new to Tennessee should contact their local school district's enrollment office to determine their assigned school, learn about available school choice programs, and understand immunization and residency documentation requirements before the start of the school year.
Public Schools by Counties
Public Schools by Cities
- Clinton
- Cleveland
- Chapmansboro
- Clairfield
- Celina
- Chuckey
- Coalmont
- Collegedale
- Crossville
- Charlotte
- Clarkrange
- Crawford
- Christiana
- Clifton
- Chattanooga
- Chapel Hill
- Cornersville
- Clarksville
- Cross Plains
- Cedar Hill
- Cordova
- Collinwood
- College Grove
- Cumberland Gap
- Cowan
- Counce
- Culleoka
- Collierville
- Covington
- Camden
- Charleston
- Cosby
- Crab Orchard
- Church Hill
- Centerville
- Cookeville
- Corryton
- Columbia
- Calhoun
- Cunningham
- Copperhill
- Carthage
- Cottontown
- Medina
- Mosheim
- Middle Valley
- Mount Carmel
- McKenzie
- Moscow
- Mount Pleasant
- Michie
- Mason
- Mount Juliet
- Minor Hill
- Mohawk
- Morristown
- Mooresburg
- Madisonville
- Murfreesboro
- Maynardville
- Morrison
- Manchester
- Madison
- Middleton
- McEwen
- Monteagle
- Monterey
- McMinnville
- Maryville
- Milan
- Mountain City
- Mascot
- Memphis
- Millington
- Munford
- Martin
- Seymour
- Sewanee
- Soddy-Daisy
- Surgoinsville
- Speedwell
- Smithville
- South Pittsburg
- Sweetwater
- Sunbright
- Sevierville
- Sharps Chapel
- Signal Mountain
- Savannah
- Scotts Hill
- Summertown
- Santa Fe
- South Fulton
- Springfield
- Shelbyville
- Somerville
- Sneedville
- Shady Valley
- Selmer
- Spring City
- Smyrna
- Sharon
- Sale Creek
- Strawberry Plains
- Spring Hill
- South Carthage
- Spencer
- Sparta
Parents and guardians in Tennessee can find their assigned public school by entering their home address on the local school district's website. Enrollment documentation requirements in Tennessee typically include proof of residency, birth certificate, and current immunization records, so gathering these materials before the enrollment window opens can prevent delays.
Browse Public Schools by county across Tennessee to find the nearest location.