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 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 (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-12 | 136 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
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
Gr: PK-6 | 32 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: PK-1 | 481 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 53:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Harris-hillman Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1706 26th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 298-8085
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 298-8085
Gr: PK-12 | 486 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
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
Gr: PK-12 | 114 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
Tennessee School For Deaf Elementary School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2725 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2500
Gr: PK-6 | 42 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 41 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Murrell At Glenn School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
322 Cleveland St
Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 298-8070
Nashville, TN 37207
(615) 298-8070
Gr: K-8 | 34 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Cora Howe School
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1928 Greenwood Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 612-2545
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 612-2545
Gr: K-12 | 77 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
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
Gr: 7-12 | 63 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Avon School
Special Education School
310 Avon Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2124
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 416-2124
Gr: K-12 | 171 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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
Gr: PK | 135 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
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
Gr: PK | 133 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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
Gr: PK-K | 151 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 151:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 29 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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?
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).
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