For the 2026 school year, there are 12 special education public elementary schools serving 1,636 students in Tennessee.
The top-ranked special education public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Tennessee public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 36% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public elementary school average of 44% (majority Black).
Best Special Education Public Elementary Schools in Tennessee (2026)
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 | 126 students Minority enrollment: 93%
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-5 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 39%
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-6 | 509 students Minority enrollment: 36%
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 | 458 students Minority enrollment: 46%
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 | 100 students Minority enrollment: 48%
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-5 | 41 students Minority enrollment: 32%
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 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 40%
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 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 83%
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 | 78 students Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 174 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Tennessee School For The Deaf Middle School
Special Education School
2527 Island Home Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 579-2507
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
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 elementary schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked special education public elementary schools in Tennessee include Shrine School, West Tennessee School For The Deaf and Ft Sanders Education Development Center.
How many special education public elementary schools are located in Tennessee?
12 special education public elementary schools are located in Tennessee.
What is the racial composition of students in Tennessee?
Tennessee special education public elementary schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public elementary schools average of 44% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
