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The 114^th Tennessee General Assembly concluded its 2026 session on April 23 with legislation that will have an impact on Catholic schools across the state, including bills to expand Education Freedom Scholarships and Education Savings Accounts and plans to implement the Educational Choice for Children Act.

Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS)

Demand for the EFS, which began with 20,000 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year, far exceeded the number of available scholarships. More than 43,000 people applied for the available scholarships in the first year. In response, the legislature increased the number of available slots to 35,000 for the 2026-27 academic year. More than 53,000 applied during the December renewal period and the January new application period.

The legislature also changed the original plan to reserve half of the available scholarships for children from households earning 300% of the free and reduced lunch level (about $170,000 for a family of four) to a tiered system that directs the scholarships to lower income families.

The new law that added the additional scholarships also made a several changes to the program. The law now mandates a sequence of categories of applicants for the distribution of scholarships. Available scholarships are awarded to the next category after the previous category is served. Order of application filing will be considered in fulfilling each level.

1.     Prior year scholarship recipients who maintain eligibility for the program. (Students can continue to receive scholarships through grade 12.)

2.     Students with household income at or below 100% of the level that qualifies for free and reduced-price lunch. Currently a family of four earning about $60,000 would qualify.

3.     Students with household income at or below 300% of the level that qualifies for free and reduced-price lunch. Currently a family of four earning about $170,000 would qualify.

4.     Students who are currently enrolled in public schools. 

5.     All other applicants. 

Scholarship amounts, currently $7,295, are tied directly to the base amount of state and local funding per student calculated through the TISA formula. The actual base amount for next year has not been published, but an estimate of $7,530 has been used for budget purposes. 

In the 2025-26 school year, 3,900 students in Catholic Schools receive the scholarships.

Education Savings Account (ESA)

The legislature also changed the testing requirements of the ESA program that was established in 2019 but was delayed for implementation until 2022 by legal challenges. That program originally required recipients to take the same TCAP assessment required of public-school students but now matches the testing requirements of the EFS program.

Students from households earning 200% of the Federal Free Lunch Level (about $62,000 for a family of four) and currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in public schools for the first time for the 2026-27 school year in Davidson, Hamilton, or Shelby counties can apply for the ESA program through May 26, 2026.

Currently, fewer than 5,000 ESA scholarships have been awarded, leaving approximately 10,000 available. Each scholarship will provide approximately $9,800 for tuition or other eligible expenses. Catholic school families in Davidson, Hamilton, or Shelby counties who are eligible are encouraged to immediately apply. 

The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)

The ECCA, implemented through the Education Freedom Tax Credit / federal tax-credit scholarship program that was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill passed last summer, is expected to begin in 2027. The program provides a federal income tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which can provide scholarships for use at private or Catholic schools. Details of the program are still in development.

Governor Lee and the General Assembly have both expressed the intent to bring the program to Tennessee when it becomes available.

Frank P. Lamanna Secretary of the Germantown Christian 49ers Inc. presents checks totaling $20,000 to Bishop David Talley and School Superintendent Chris Fay. 

The Germantown Christian 49ers have donated over $300,000 in Scholarship funds to various non-jubilee Catholic Schools in Memphis over the last twenty-nine years.

Schools that are recipients of these funds in 2026, to be divided, as designated by The Diocesan Superintendents Office are:

Holy Rosary School-$7,500

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School-$7,500 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School-$5,000

All monies are to go into the school’s scholarship endowment funds and earmarked for students that require assistance based on financial need as determined by the Pastor or School Administration.

The Germantown Christian 49ers are committed to the ideals of Catholic education.

Frank P. Lamanna Sr. (Secretary)

2547 Shepherdwood Lane

Germantown, TN 38138

901-216-2462-cell

Email: FLAMA41@GMAIL.COM

At St. Benedict at Auburndale, academic excellence and faith-filled leadership continue to define the graduating Class of 2026. This year, the school proudly recognizes Praise Okafor as Valedictorian and Maddia Mullis as Salutatorian.

As Valedictorian, Praise Okafor has distinguished herself through remarkable academic achievement, leadership, and service. A graduate of St. Ann Catholic Middle School and lifelong Catholic school student, Praise plans to pursue a medical degree with the goal of becoming a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. She will study biochemistry on the pre-med track following graduation.

During her time at SBA, Praise immersed herself in opportunities that reflected both her intellectual curiosity and commitment to serving others. She participated in the Governor’s School for International Studies at the University of Memphis and completed the High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In addition, she volunteered with the Mid-South Food Bank, regularly served as a lector during All School Mass, and was an active member of the Medical Club.

Praise also held several leadership positions across campus organizations, serving as President of Mu Alpha Theta, Vice President of the Spanish National Honor Society, Secretary of National Honor Society, and a founding member of the Studies in Women’s Literature Club.

Reflecting on her Catholic education journey, Praise shared, “Having attended Catholic schools for my entire academic career, this style of education is all I know. I truly believe that the blessing of being surrounded by faith and by people who are committed to encouraging Christlike behavior has prepared me to continue my faith in the future.”

Salutatorian Maddia Mullis has also made an incredible mark on the SBA community through her academic success, school involvement, and athletic accomplishments. A graduate of Holy Rosary Catholic Middle School, Maddia plans to attend University of Tennessee Knoxville to major in Animal Science. Maddia is the daughter of Darren Mullis, Principal at Holy Rosary.

Maddia embraced every aspect of student life during her years at SBA. She competed in cross country, soccer, track, and tennis while also participating in numerous honor societies, including French, Science, English, Art, Mu Alpha Theta, and Rho Kappa. She was also an active member of the French Club.

When reflecting on the impact of Catholic education, Maddia said, “Catholic education has made a difference in my life because it has allowed me to have a safe space to be able to freely talk about God. It has given me the resources I need to expand my faith and become closer with God.”

Through their scholarship, leadership, and faith, both Praise Okafor and Maddia Mullis embody the mission and spirit of SBA. The entire Eagle community celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to all they will achieve in the future.

Mr. Ramon Villacura, Principal at St. Benedict, shared, "Praise Okafor and Maddia Mullis represent the very best of the St. Benedict at Auburndale community. Their commitment to academic excellence,, service, and faith has inspired those around them. We are incredibly proud of the young women they have become and know they will continue to make a tremendous impact in the world. Praise and Maddia embody our mission of forming students in mind, body, and spirit, and we are honored to celebrate their many accomplishments.”

A Tradition Rooted in Catholic Values

St. Benedict at Auburndale is a coeducational, college-preparatory Catholic school serving grades 9–12 under the guidance of the Catholic Schools of Memphis and the Diocese of Memphis. With a mission grounded in academic excellence and spiritual growth, SBA encourages students to strive for success in all arenas of life — including athletics. 

The school’s athletic philosophy holds that sports are more than games; they are a training ground for life. Through basketball, players learn perseverance, teamwork, discipline, and leadership — qualities that carry them beyond high school into college, careers, and communities. 

The Eagles Take Flight

Competing in TSSAA Division II, Class A, the St. Benedict at Auburndale basketball program features both boys’ and girls’ teams that represent the school with pride and determination. The teams wear the school colors of red and blue and proudly carry the Eagle mascot onto every court they play. 

The current boys’ varsity squad has battled through a challenging 2025–26 campaign, showing grit and growth against a tough schedule of local and regional opponents. From hard-fought games against Christian Brothers High School to intense matchups with Memphis University School and Tipton-Rosemark Academy, the Eagles compete with heart and determination in every contest. 

Standout Performances & Team Leadership

Throughout the season, individual players have stepped up as leaders, helping energize the team with their performances. Players like Austyn “Manny” Holley and Damian Henderson II have delivered significant scoring nights and earned recognition as players of the game — shining examples of hard work and team spirit. 

While wins are always a goal, SBA emphasizes personal growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship first. The coaching staff works with each athlete to build confidence, sharpen skills, and strengthen character — values that align with the school’s mission of forming leaders of integrity. 

More Than a Game

At St. Benedict at Auburndale, basketball isn’t just about the final score. It’s about the lessons learned in practice, the friendships forged with teammates, and the pride of representing a school community that values faith, respect, and excellence. Whether cheering in the stands or battling on the court, Eagles fans know that every game is another chance to soar.

As a child, Didier Aur hated school.

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, he moved to Memphis when he was just 5 years old. His grandparents were Lebanese—so at a young age he grew up hearing Lebanese Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese and American English. It made learning to read difficult. Those challenges were even further enhanced by his dyslexia—and schools did not understand the effects of dyslexia on reading and learning until the late 1970s and ’80s.

Aur’s shift from disdain to passion for education was inspired by the Christian Brothers. At Memphis’ Christian Brothers High School, one of Aur’s teachers saw he had difficulty reading but pushed him to continue by letting him choose books on topics he enjoyed. This ignited his joy for learning, and in 1988 he graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in education—and later a master’s degree in special education.

Today, Aur is a leader in Catholic education in the Diocese of Memphis—a career that has spanned 37 years.

“Learning is for everyone,” Aur said.

That child who was behind was me, and I made it.”

 

He is currently the principal at St. Ann’s Catholic School in Bartlett, Tennessee. The parish at St. Ann’s was founded over 65 years ago through support from Catholic Extension Society. Seven years ago, the parish school, opened in 1960, faced closure. But since Aur took over, enrollment has doubled.What’s more, in 2022 he started the Erika Center at St. Ann Catholic School, which educates 20 students with dyslexia each year. This fall, he plans to expand this operation to double the center’s enrollment to 40 and to rename it the St. Ann Dyslexia Center.

“The students with dyslexia are very smart. Their brains just see letters or words differently,” Aur said. “And the idea is to graduate the child out of the dyslexia center.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.catholicextension.org/stories/a-principals-career-defined-by-turning-no-one-away/

We're launching a comprehensive health and wellness initiative focused on supporting the physical and mental well-being of all students. The program includes nutrition education, mental health resources, and fitness activities. Our school counselors are available for support, and we're introducing mindfulness practices into the curriculum. We believe that healthy students are successful students, and this initiative reflects our commitment to whole-student development.