For the 2025 school year, there are 15 special education public schools serving 2,125 students in Tennessee.
The top ranked special education public schools in Tennessee are Shrine School, West Tennessee School For The Deaf and Harris-hillman Special Education. 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 19% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 31%), 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Shrine School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4259 Forest View Dr
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 416-2400
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 416-2400
Grades: PK-12
| 136 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
West Tennessee School For The Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Berryhill Dr
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-5705
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 423-5705
Grades: PK-6
| 32 students
Rank: #33.
Harris-hillman Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1706 26th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 298-8085
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 298-8085
Grades: PK-12
| 486 students
Rank: #44.
Ft Sanders Education Development Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 S Twenty-first St
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 594-5035
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 594-5035
Grades: PK-1
| 481 students
Rank: #55.
Tenn School For Blind
Special Education School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 231-7300
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 231-7300
Grades: PK-12
| 114 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Murrell At Glenn School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
322 Cleveland St
Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 298-8070
Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 298-8070
Grades: K-8
| 34 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Grades: PK-6
| 42 students
Rank: #88.
Knox Adaptive Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5719 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 909-9020
Grades: PK-12
| 41 students
Rank: #99.
Cora Howe School
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1928 Greenwood Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 612-2545
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 612-2545
Grades: K-12
| 77 students
Rank: #1010.
Tennessee School For The Deaf Upper School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Grades: 7-12
| 63 students
Rank: n/an/a
Avon School
Special Education School
310 Avon Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2124
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2124
Grades: K-12
| 171 students
Rank: n/an/a
Fair Garden Family/community Center
Special Education School
400 Fern St
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1320
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 594-1320
Grades: PK
| 135 students
Rank: n/an/a
Palmer Early Learning Center
Special Education School
1609 Ft Henry Dr
Kingsport, TN 37664
(423) 378-2160
Kingsport, TN 37664
(423) 378-2160
Grades: PK
| 133 students
Rank: n/an/a
T Lawson Early Childhood Education Center
Special Education School
550 East Gate Rd
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-5793
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-5793
Grades: PK-K
| 151 students
Rank: n/an/a
Tennessee School For The Deaf Nashville
Special Education School
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 231-7300
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 231-7300
Grades: PK-5
| 29 students
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 Harris-hillman Special Education.
How many special education public schools are located in Tennessee?
15 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
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
