Your options

In Tennessee, parents have the option to educate their children at home, an option known as homeschooling or home education. Parents in Tennessee may choose to homeschool their own children in grades K–12. The Tennessee Homeschool law (Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-3050) states: “A home school is a school conducted or directed by a parent or parents or a legal guardian or guardians for their own children.” Parents desiring to homeschool their own children may do so by choosing one of the following three options — Independent Home School, Church-related Home School or Accredited Online School. All three options are discussed below.

Independent Home School:

To be an independent home school student you must:

1. Provide a Letter of Intent to the local director of schools prior to each school year. The letter of intent must include the parent’s intent to conduct a home school, the names, number, ages and grade levels of the children to be home schooled, the location of the school, the proposed curriculum to be offered, the proposed hours of instruction and the qualifications of the parent-teacher.
2. Maintain attendance records and submit these records to the Director of Schools at the end of each school year.
3. Submit proof of vaccination and receipt of any health services or examinations as required by law.
4. Student attendance (at least 4 hours per day, 180 days per year) must be reported to the local school district at the end of the school year.
5. Testing of independent home school students is required in grades 5, 7, and 9 and coordinated through the local school district. (1 year or more below grade level for 2 years in a row, superintendent MAY require parents to enroll child in public or private school unless child is learning disabled)
6. Must be tested in each subject for credit toward graduation.