Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Special Education Public Schools in Tennessee (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tennessee Special Education Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 special education public schools serving 2,142 students in Tennessee.
The top-ranked special education public schools in Tennessee are Shrine School, West Tennessee School For The Deaf and Ft Sanders Education Development Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tennessee special education public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).

Best Special Education Public Schools in Tennessee (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Shrine School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4259 Forest View Dr
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 416-2400
Gr: PK-12 | 126 students Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
West Tennessee School For The Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 Berryhill Dr
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-5705
Gr: PK-5 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #33.
Ft Sanders Education Development Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
501 S Twenty-first St
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 594-5035
Gr: PK-6 | 509 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
Harris-hillman Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1706 26th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 298-8085
Gr: PK-12 | 458 students Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #55.
Tenn School For Blind
Special Education School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 231-7300
Gr: PK-12 | 100 students Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #66.
Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: PK-5 | 41 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Knox Adaptive Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5719 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Gr: PK-12 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Murrell At Glenn School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
322 Cleveland St
Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 298-8070
Gr: K-8 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #99.
Cora Howe School
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1928 Greenwood Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 612-2545
Gr: K-12 | 78 students Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Tennessee School For The Deaf High School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Avon School
Special Education School
310 Avon Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2124
Gr: K-12 | 174 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Fair Garden Family/community Center
Special Education School
400 Fern St
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1320
Gr: PK | 147 students Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Palmer Early Learning Center
Special Education School
1609 Ft Henry Dr
Kingsport, TN 37664
(423) 378-2160
Gr: PK | 152 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
T Lawson Early Childhood Education Center
Special Education School
550 East Gate Rd
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-5793
Gr: PK-K | 162 students Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Tennessee School For The Deaf Middle School
Special Education School
2527 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2507
Gr: 6-8 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Tennessee School For The Deaf Nashville
Special Education School
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 231-7300
Gr: PK-5 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 52%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked special education public schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked special education public schools in Tennessee include Shrine School, West Tennessee School For The Deaf and Ft Sanders Education Development Center.
How many special education public schools are located in Tennessee?
16 special education public schools are located in Tennessee.
What is the racial composition of students in Tennessee?
Tennessee special education public schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (TN):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Tennessee Top-Ranked Public Schools
Tennessee Top-Ranked Public Schools
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes

More Articles

Teaching
Opinion
Public School Policies
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Jobs