At Cooper Christian Academy (CCA), our mission is simple yet profound: to partner with families in providing a strong academic education in a Christ-centered environment. We are a non-denominational, private Christian school serving Bedford County and the surrounding areas, opening our doors in 2023 to Kindergarten through 4th grade students. Each year, we plan to add a grade until we reach 8th grade. For us, this is more than just academics. The privilege of shaping not only young minds but also young hearts is why we do what we do.
In a county where financial resources are often limited, Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program is nothing short of a game-changer. Bedford County is among the poorest in our state, and the most common phrase we hear from families is, “CCA is amazing, and Shelbyville needs this, but we can’t afford the school’s tuition.” With the EFS scholarship set at $7,295—just above our $7,000 tuition for the 2025-26 school year—qualifying families could send their children to CCA at no cost with the scholarship. That means access to Christian education is no longer a dream for many families here—it’s a reality. This is exactly what the program was designed to do, and the impact on our community will be immeasurable.
With more than 40,000 applications submitted this year and only 20,000 scholarships available, however, the reality is that too many families are left waiting and hoping. The demand for parental choice in education in Tennessee is undeniable. By expanding the EFS program, lawmakers could ensure that every Tennessee family, regardless of financial situation, can choose the best education for their children. We believe this should be the ultimate goal: giving all families access to the opportunities they desire for their kids.
To our lawmakers and leaders, we offer our deepest thanks for making education freedom a reality in Tennessee. Your vision and courage to act on behalf of families who previously had no options will leave a lasting impact—not only on our students’ futures but also on their faith. The families who walk through our doors, many for the first time thanks to the EFS program, will be eternally grateful. You are helping to change lives, one child at a time.
