A Complete Guide to Local Independent Schools for 2019
To see the 2020 guide to local independent schools, click here.
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
To see the 2020 guide to local independent schools, click here.
A.W. Spalding Elementary (AWS) is a Christian school established to educate, equip, and inspire students to be critical thinkers who serve others and reflect Christ’s character. In addition to daily Bible class and traditional academic classes, once a week the AWS student body gathers for a worship time. Computer, music, art, library, and PE classes are standard curriculum for every grade level. After-school intramurals, robotics, and Spanish classes take place from kindergarten through 5th grade. AWS is part of the Greater Collegedale School System (GCSS).
Baylor School is one of the country’s leading coeducational college prep schools, and the sports program was recently ranked the third best overall in the nation by MaxPreps. Baylor School is committed to providing students and faculty with the best instructional resources, including a new $15 million academic center and the same cancer research equipment that is found in professional labs. A recent graduating class earned more than $16 million in college scholarships, and more than 100 alumni are currently playing their sport at the collegiate level.
Belvoir Christian Academy provides a strong academic and spiritual foundation to prepare students for admission to the college preparatory high school of their choice. Small class sizes allow for individual attention and the opportunity to excel. The school also offers year-round child care for infants and toddlers. BCA is fully accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation and AdvancEd. Sports opportunities include volleyball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and cross-country. Students may also participate in extracurricular activities such as taekwondo, gymnastics, hand bell choir, piano, and voice lessons.
Berean Academy exists to glorify God by challenging students to follow Jesus Christ and educating them in the wisdom of God as it applies academically, spiritually, and socially.
Boyd Buchanan School offers a loving, Christ-centered environment, fully nurturing the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical potential of each student while preparing them to walk with the Master and embrace life’s challenges with joy, courage, and wisdom. The school is committed to offering young people a source of truth, strength, and vision for today’s changing world and strives to guide students toward possessing the heart and spirit of Jesus. Located on 58 beautiful acres, Boyd Buchanan provides a well-rounded college preparatory educational environment that promotes academic excellence, innovation, technology, fine arts, engineering, and a legacy of success in athletics.
Brainerd Baptist School is an independent Christian school that offers a challenging curriculum through which teachers instill a love of learning in their students. BBS offers a robust fine arts program, innovative technology, and a strong athletic program for its students. Graduates routinely excel at the best middle and high schools in Chattanooga.
The Bright School is committed to providing a developmentally appropriate elementary experience for children in a safe and nurturing environment. The Bright School strives to develop young learners through discovery, exploration, and play. Children learn in a stimulating setting where they are encouraged to think, solve problems independently, and collaborate with peers to reach their greatest potential. The Bright School works to build a firm foundation in reading, writing, and math that will sustain students through their educational journeys.
For more than 40 years, Calvary Christian School (CCS) has educated children from a biblical point of view. Children are taught by highly qualified, spiritual teachers and enjoy a low student-teacher ratio. CCS places a strong emphasis on patriotism, discipline, and moral values, and the school is affiliated with the Tennessee Association of Christian Schools and the American Association of Christian Schools.
Chattanooga Christian School (CCS) is a PK-12th grade day school on 55 acres at the foot of Lookout Mountain. CCS has been serving Christian families in the Chattanooga area for 49 years. The new, state-of-the-art high school science labs, new lower school building with a large STEM room, and new student spaces provide environments for building strong relationships between teachers and students. CCS is committed to meeting students at their point of need and helping them reach the peak of their God-given potential.
Collegedale Academy is a Christian school established to educate, equip, and inspire students to be critical thinkers who serve others and reflect Christ’s character. As a four-year, coeducational secondary school, CA offers a standard high school diploma as well as college preparatory and honors diplomas. Opportunities such as mission trips, student-led week of prayers, community service, fine arts classes, sports, ACT prep, and travel opportunities with classes and clubs add to the CA experience. CA is part of the Greater Collegedale School System (GCSS).
Collegedale Adventist Middle School (CAMS) is a Christian school established to educate, equip, and inspire students to be critical thinkers who serve others and reflect Christ’s character. The school provides quality education with many additional learning opportunities, including choir, band, praise band, bell choir, orchestra, art, STEM lab, robotics, and community service projects. CAMS also offers a growing and active middle schoolers’ intramural and interscholastic sports program. CAMS is part of the Greater Collegedale School System (GCSS).
At Girls Preparatory School, teaching methods, programs, and support services are designed for and dedicated to how girls learn and develop. Along with a robust academic curriculum – with classes that include arts, humanities, world languages, and STEM studies – GPS also provides opportunities for each girl to discover her passions through clubs and athletics. As students at GPS, girls grow in intellectual curiosity, honor individuality, learn to share their opinions with confidence, and discover the strength within them to change the world.
Grace Baptist Academy is a private Christian school serving metropolitan Chattanooga and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. With almost 1,200 graduates having attended more than 100 colleges and universities, Grace provides an excellent educational program. Appropriate curriculum and creative methods are utilized in a supportive, safe, and wholesome atmosphere for students. The total educational experience at Grace enables students to recognize their learning styles, discover abilities and talents, and to pursue God’s design for their lives.
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (HHCA) was founded to offer a unique educational opportunity for secondary high school students at an affordable tuition rate. HHCA has full accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. It does not discriminate on the basis of biological sex, age, race, national/ethnic origin, or physical disability when determining the qualification of an applicant for enrollment.
Hickory Valley Christian School exists to help families develop strong foundations for their children. Our mission is to lead students toward a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and provide a high-quality, preparatory academic foundation through creative learning. HVCS is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
Lester Coon Adventist School is a small school in a rural setting promoting outdoor education and Christian values. New students are welcome each year, and the involvement of families in the education process is encouraged.
McCallie School is dedicated to preparing young men to make a positive difference in their world. By fostering boys’ intellectual, spiritual, physical, and emotional development, the school seeks to inspire and motivate them to strive for excellence, seek truth, live honorably, act responsibly, and help others.
The Montessori School is dedicated to a model of learning that recognizes children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of their best learning in a thoughtfully prepared environment. The school’s mission is to promote independent learning, support emotional growth, and embrace differences using the Montessori approach.
Celebrating its 143rd anniversary, Notre Dame High School remains the only Catholic, coed, college preparatory high school in Chattanooga open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. With its diverse population and curriculum, Notre Dame graduates are prepared – academically, spiritually, and ethically – for the wealth of postsecondary opportunities that await them.
OCA is a standards-driven school, embracing a solid Christian curriculum to achieve their goal of a biblical worldview. Students participate in weekly chapel programs and have extension opportunities, including art, band, drama, French, Spanish, music, PE, and technology. OCA partners with Truett-McConnell University to offer dual enrollment ACCEL classes for 10th through 12th grade students. OCA graduates have a 100% college acceptance and receive academic, athletic, and the Georgia Hope scholarships. Athletic opportunities include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
Ooltewah Adventist School (OAKS) is a Christian organization that seeks to inspire its students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly, and love God completely. OAKS is a great place to grow with God!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) is an AdvancED-accredited parochial school providing a high-quality education. OLPH is committed to fostering the realization that each person’s relationship with God, self, and others is a lifelong process. OLPH prepares students to live in an ever-changing society while motivating students to employ Christian principles by using their talents to serve the needs of others. The free exchange of ideas and opinions among students, parents, and teachers is encouraged.
Primrose School is an educationally based preschool that blends accredited teacher-directed curriculum with a child-initiated approach called “balanced learning.” The school combines the best of both philosophies. Primrose School lets the particular interests of each child serve as the springboard to healthy social, emotional, physical, and academic development, while teachers guide students to self-assurance and prepare them for lifelong academic and social success.
Shenandoah Baptist Academy features incredible teachers, a challenging curriculum, outstanding athletics, and exciting mission opportunities. The rigorous academic curriculum is taught through a biblical worldview in a rich, nurturing community of teachers, coaches, mentors, and peers all passionate about serving Christ.
The Chattanooga Children’s Program serves both typically developing children and those with disabilities/special needs. Low student-to-teacher ratios are maintained, thus enabling individualized attention.
Signal Mountain Christian School (SMCS) partners with Christian families to shape the hearts and equip the minds of their children to be doers of God’s word. You will find an emphasis on challenging academics and hands-on learning in a natural setting that is inspired by Charlotte Mason.
Silverdale Baptist Academy is a Christ-centered college preparatory academy. The school’s mission is to partner with families in providing an environment of academic excellence through a biblical worldview. Silverdale is a member of TSSAA and is accredited with ACSI and AdvancEd. Silverdale Baptist Academy also provides students with learning challenges and opportunities to flourish with its Specialized Academics Department.
At Siskin Early Learning Center, children of all abilities grow and develop to their full potential by engaging in developmentally appropriate activities. Children are exposed to multiple instructional approaches while interacting with peers and building relationships with others in an inclusive environment. A comprehensive team of educators and therapists use an integrated routine-based teaching model.
Skyuka Hall is an SAIS and AdvancED accredited independent school dedicated to providing a positive learning experience for students with learning differences. Skyuka looks to graduate its first class in 2020. Skyuka Hall offers a small student-teacher ratio, and learning specialists design and personalize curriculum for each student. The mission of academic, physical, and spiritual growth allows each student to graduate with confidence and conviction. Financial aid is available to qualified applicants.
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School is a private, co-educational, Episcopal, boarding and day college preparatory school located on a beautiful and historic 550-acre campus, where students enjoy abundant opportunities for outdoor education and adventure. At SAS, students from across the country and around the world are challenged to fulfill their greatest potential while cultivating lives of balance and joy. Thanks to a close relationship with the neighboring University of the South, qualified students are able to take university courses for free and for credit.
Guided by God, St. Jude School strives to provide academic excellence in an environment that embraces the Catholic values of spirituality and service. St. Jude School’s strong core curriculum, dedicated faculty, extracurricular activities, enthusiastic parental involvement, and most importantly, ability to serve and honor God, make it unique. At St. Jude School, students learn, pray, and play.
Located on a beautiful, wooded, 24-acre campus in the East Brainerd community, St. Nicholas School is an independent Episcopal school for preschool through 5th grade. Founded as a neighborhood kindergarten at Grace Episcopal Church, St. Nicholas has grown into a unique educational community of cottage-based classrooms that provides focused settings for integrated learning. St. Nicholas School offers after-school enrichments, a comprehensive summer camp, a woodworking program, and year-round gardening programs. St. Nicholas nurtures each child’s intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth to develop independence, a love of learning, and a commitment to service.
St. Peter’s Episcopal School is a child-centered community offering families a choice between a classic program (English) and a language immersion program (Spanish). Both tracks offer a sequence of studies through which students interact as scientists, artists, mathematicians, authors, and scholars. Striving to elevate and expand elementary education, the school incorporates art, music, foreign language, technology, outdoor experiences, and athletics into the learning experience. Located on 11 acres, the campus facilities include large classrooms, an art studio, a music conservatory, a science lab, an outdoor teepee, playgrounds, a large sports field and track, a chapel, and an organic garden.
Standifer Gap SDA School is a K-8th school that operates in cooperation with the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Students enjoy the advantage of low student-teacher ratios, providing individualized instruction in an inviting environment.
Tennessee Christian Preparatory School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2015), AdvancED-accredited, coeducational school offering a strong college preparatory academic program. Located in Cleveland, Tennessee, TCPS integrates a Christ-centered curriculum into the daily life of students of all denominations and beliefs.
At United Christian Academy, the staff and teachers are devoted to pinpointing and cultivating each student’s unique, God-given talents and abilities. UCA is an accredited institution that fosters a safe and encouraging environment – an atmosphere that enhances the holistic growth of students, intellectually, physically, artistically, and spiritually. The school’s goal is to develop students’ potential so they can become responsible citizens who set standards for excellence in our society.