Christian schools around Knoxville, and the category that decides state funding

Last verified: October 2026

Why can some Knoxville Christian schools take EFS and others can't?

The deciding line is the school's state category, not its theology. Christian schools approved as Category I, II or III can sign up for EFS each year; the many church academies approved as Category IV, through one of the associations Tennessee law recognizes, trade lighter faculty and curriculum rules for being outside EFS entirely.

Some schools hold two categories, such as II and IV, and can register for EFS on the strength of the eligible one; First Baptist Academy in Powell holds II, III and IV.

How many Christian schools near Knoxville are on the EFS list?

22 of the 43 Christian school campuses in this directory are on the 2026-27 EFS list. They include Berean Christian, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Grace Christian Academy, Concord Christian, Temple Baptist and First Baptist in Knox County, Maryville Christian in Blount and The King's Academy in Seymour.

Most of the unregistered ones are Category IV church academies or umbrella programs.

What funding is left at a Category IV church school in East Tennessee?

For a child without a qualifying IEP, nothing from the state reaches a Category IV academy; the IEA covers only students whose IEP qualifies them. Most families at these schools piece tuition together from congregation discounts, the school's own help and, where a school participates, the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship.

The federal tax-credit scholarships arriving in 2027 are not tied to Tennessee's categories, so they may eventually reach these schools through approved SGOs.

Where does a Knoxville family go from here?

Send us five answers in the funding check. A counselor then tells you, for your child specifically, which Tennessee program to apply for, how much it should pay and the very next deadline.

Start the funding check →