For the 2026 school year, there are 26 alternative public schools serving 1,027 students in Tennessee.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Tennessee are Union County Alternative Center, Elementary Middle Alternative and New Directions Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tennessee alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 8% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 11% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Tennessee (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Union County Alternative Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
115 Wilson Ln, P. O. Box 607
Maynardville, TN 37807
(865) 992-7747
Maynardville, TN 37807
(865) 992-7747
Gr: 6-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Elementary Middle Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
635 Main
Maynardville, TN 37807
(865) 745-0253
Maynardville, TN 37807
(865) 745-0253
Gr: K-8 | 7 students
Rank: #33.
New Directions Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4000 Highway 48 North
Charlotte, TN 37036
(615) 740-6070
Charlotte, TN 37036
(615) 740-6070
Gr: 3-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Smyrna West Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
12619 Old Nashville Hwy
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-3856
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 904-3856
Gr: 6-12 | 47 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Barry Tatum Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
415 Harding Dr
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 453-3400
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 453-3400
Gr: 4-12 | 86 students Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #66.
R T Fisher Alternative
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
455 North Boyers
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 451-6558
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 451-6558
Gr: K-12 | 127 students Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Ridgedale Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4600 Ridgedale Rd
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 909-9099
Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 909-9099
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Warren County Alternative Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
421 North Spring St
Mcminnville, TN 37110
(931) 473-8723
Mcminnville, TN 37110
(931) 473-8723
Gr: 3-12 | 41 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
Hamblen County Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
376 Snyder Rd
Morristown, TN 37813
(423) 585-3785
Morristown, TN 37813
(423) 585-3785
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1010.
Parkview Prep Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
905 E. Chester St
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 427-2841
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 427-2841
Gr: K-12
Rank: #1111.
W.a. Bass Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5200 Delaware Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 298-3278
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 298-3278
Gr: 9-12 | 68 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Daniel Mckee Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2623 Halls Hill Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 890-2282
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 890-2282
Gr: 6-12 | 63 students Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
White Plains Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
288 E. Main St
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 528-1847
Gr: K-12 | 76 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Johnson Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1200 2nd Ave South
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 749-3067
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 749-3067
Gr: 5-12 | 74 students Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Richard Yoakley School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4415 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3790
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 594-3790
Gr: 6-12 | 81 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #14 - 1614. - 16.
Tipton County Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
800 Bert Johnston Ave
Covington, TN 38019
(901) 475-3502
Covington, TN 38019
(901) 475-3502
Gr: K-12 | 85 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
Carter County Alternative School
Alternative School
120 Unaka Dr
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 547-4050
Gr: 5-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Central Prep Academy
Alternative School
230 Ridley Dr
Jasper, TN 37347
(423) 805-9861
Jasper, TN 37347
(423) 805-9861
Gr: 10-12
Rank: n/an/a
Coffee County Koss Center
Alternative School
1756 Mcminnville Hwy
Manchester, TN 37355
(931) 723-5189
Manchester, TN 37355
(931) 723-5189
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
East Lafollette Learning Academy
Alternative School
860 East Chestnut
La Follette, TN 37766
(423) 352-8006
La Follette, TN 37766
(423) 352-8006
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Greenbrier Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
2851 Webb Creek Rd
Sevierville, TN 37876
(865) 453-8338
Sevierville, TN 37876
(865) 453-8338
Gr: 6-12 | 1 student
Rank: n/an/a
Jellico Learning Academy
Alternative School
141 High School Rd
Jellico, TN 37762
(423) 784-9455
Jellico, TN 37762
(423) 784-9455
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Parkway Academy
Alternative School
300 Cedar St
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 429-3908
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 429-3908
Gr: 3-12 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
Pathways Alternative School
Alternative School
952 East Mckinney Ave
Rogersville, TN 37857
(423) 272-6655
Rogersville, TN 37857
(423) 272-6655
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Simon Springs Community School
Alternative School
220 Stones River Rd
La Vergne, TN 37086
(615) 893-5812
La Vergne, TN 37086
(615) 893-5812
Gr: 1-8 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
Westbrooks - Woods Academy
Alternative School
814 South Church St
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 893-5812
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 893-5812
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Tennessee include Union County Alternative Center, Elementary Middle Alternative and New Directions Academy.
How many alternative public schools are located in Tennessee?
26 alternative public schools are located in Tennessee.
What is the racial composition of students in Tennessee?
Tennessee alternative public schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
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