Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Statewide school enrollment has been shifting from public schools to non-public ones for several years. Parents have chosen private, religious, and homeschool options for a variety of reasons.
The latest report issued by the Tennessee Department of Education on May 18, 2026, indicates that non-public student enrollment has increased by 48% in the past 5 school years. Public schools are required to file a report at the end of each semester that indicates the number of students that are being held out of the public system for non-public education options.
Independent homeschooling has actually dropped by 2696 students over 5 years while the overall number of non-public students has increased to 176,994 as illustrated by the graph below.
A 9-member council, appointed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Education, advises the Department of Education on policies related to non-public school administration. The Non-Public School (NPS) board members serve three-year terms and hold meetings in April and October of each year. The current board members are listed in the graphic provided below.
In Jefferson County, non-public school enrollment has reached 1,014 students, 15% of district student population, as of May 15, 2026, as illustrated by the report below, up from 737 students in the 2021-2022 school year. The report indicates the number of students in each category of non-public schools.
The Tennessee Conservative News is contacted on a weekly basis by parents and grandparents of public-school students in multiple counties who cite a variety of problems as a motivation for removing their children from public schools. Those problems include concern for the safety of their children, unfair discipline practices, adverse behavior on buses, bullying, and disruptive student behavior in classrooms.
Discontent with the management and environment of public schools has led parents to pressure legislators to enact school choice options so their children can attend non-public schools.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
