Does First Lutheran School accept the Education Freedom Scholarship?
Yes. First Lutheran School appears on the Tennessee Department of Education's 2026-27 Registered EFS Schools list, so a student with an Education Freedom Scholarship can put the $7,530 award toward tuition and fees here, and use any remainder on approved expenses.
The school draws the money from the family's EFS account in four projected installments (August, October, January and March), and the family approves tuition payments in the EFS portal.
Can a student with an IEP use the Tennessee IEA at First Lutheran School?
Possibly. First Lutheran School's Category II approval is one the Individualized Education Account accepts, so a student whose Tennessee IEP lists an eligible disability can use IEA funds here if the school agrees to participate. Schools can apply to the IEA program at any time of year.
The IEA usually pays more than EFS because it adds average special-education funding, and the 2027-28 window is projected to open February 16, 2027. Ask the school how it serves students with IEPs and what added support costs.
What do state and federal records show about First Lutheran School?
First Lutheran School serves grades PK-8 in Knoxville, Knox County, and is Lutheran (Missouri Synod). TDOE's 2026-27 directory lists 129 students; the federal 2023-24 count was 84; that survey implies roughly 12 students per teacher.
| Program | This school | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee approval | Category II (NLSA) | Tells you which state money can follow a child here, nothing about how good the school is |
| Education Freedom Scholarship | On the 2026-27 list | Worth $7,530 a student at listed schools |
| Individualized Education Account | Its category qualifies | Only if the school opts in to IEA |
| Tennessee ESA | Not available | Knox, Blount, Anderson and Sevier students are not in an ESA district |
What should Knoxville-area parents ask First Lutheran School about cost and aid?
These are the questions the public records can't answer:
- Is the school registered for EFS again for 2027-28?
- What does my child's grade cost, and which fees sit outside tuition?
- What need-based aid, church-member rate or multi-child pricing applies after the state award?
- Does the aid application require an EFS application first?
- Does the pre-K room accept Smart Steps child care payments?
- Will the school accept an IEA, and how does it support a student with an IEP?
Which other private schools are near First Lutheran School?
This directory lists 9 schools in Downtown, UT, East & South Knoxville, and 5 of those campuses are EFS-registered for 2026-27. See every school in Downtown, UT, East & South Knoxville →
Berean Christian School
Knoxville · Grades PK-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsKnoxville Baptist Christian School
Knoxville · Grades K-12
State record & funding →Christian SchoolsRiver's Edge Christian Academy - Buffat Heights Campus
Knoxville · Grades PK-5
State record & funding →Independent & Secular SchoolsImmanuel Community School
Knoxville · Grades K-8
State record & funding →Independent & Secular SchoolsOneSchool Global Knoxville
Knoxville · Grades 3-12
State record & funding →