Home Education
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:
- 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.
- Maintain attendance records and submit these records to the Director of Schools at the end of each school year.
- Submit proof of vaccination and receipt of any health services or examinations as required by law.
- 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.
- 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)
- Must be tested in each subject for credit toward graduation.
Church-Related Umbrella School:
Parents may instead choose to homeschool their own children by registering with a church-related “umbrella” school defined by Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801. An Intent to Homeschool form is not required for students who enrolled in a church-related school. The church-related school will determine record keeping requirements for students enrolled in their program.
Aaron Academy
645 East Main Street
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 826-2595
CHOICE Satellite School
P.O. Box 486
161 Baker Road
Hohenwald, TN 38462-1100
(800) 466-1196
The Comenius School
1215 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37069
Mailing: P.O. Box 1601, Franklin, TN 37065
(615) 595-5337
Daniel 1 Academy
1654 Burgess Falls Rd
Cookeville, TN 38506
(931) 432-1496
Toll-Free: (877) 797-4860
Fax: (931) 525-3934
Contact: Cindy Holman
Family Christian Academy
925 Industrial Drive
Old Hickory TN 37138
(615) 847-3999
Contact: Belinda Scarlotta
FC Boyd Christian School Umbrella Homeschool Program
806 Morrison St.
McMinnville, TN 37110
(931) 473-9631
Contact: Allison Stiles
The Farm School
151 School House Road
Summertown, TN 38483
(615) 612-8886
Fax: (901) 229-1113
Contact: Jacki Willard, Satellite Campus Program Coordinator
Franklin Christian Academy Umbrella Program
PO Box 157
Franklin, TN 37065
(615) 599-9229
Gabriel Christian Academy
3997 Couchville Pike
Hermitage, TN 37076
(615) 534-2660
Gateway Christian Schools
P.O. Box 280117
Memphis, TN 38168-0117
(901) 454-1606
Heritage Christian Academy Umbrella Program
P.O. Box 1135
Mt. Juliet, TN 37121
(615) 754-7946
Contact: Katrina Hagerty
Heritage Covenant Schools
P.O. Box 612
Lobelville, TN 37097
(877) 239-2505
Contact: David Jones
Home Life Academy
P.O. Box 11688
Jackson, TN 3308
Toll Free: (888) 560-0774
Local: (901) 380-9220
Fax: (901) 384-0731
Contact: David Parkerson, Administrator
Jesus Only Academy
324 Glenrose Ave.
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 242-6216
joa1@bellsouth.net
Contact: Larry Baggett
Macon Christian Academy
518 Church Street
P.O. Box 254
Lafayette, TN 37083
(615) 666-8131
Rhea County Academy Homeschool Umbrella Program
P.O. Box 925
Dayton, TN. 37321
(423) 775-2826
Riverside Homeschool Umbrella
116 Riverside Lane
Fayetteville, TN 37334
Accredited Online School:
Parents may also enroll their child in an accredited online school. Parents choosing this educational option must be sure to determine that the school has legitimate accreditation status.
To be an acceptable online school for students who reside in Tennessee, the school must be accredited by one of regional accrediting agencies listed below:
- AdvancED
- SACS CASI — Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
- NCA CASI — North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
- NWAC — Northwest Accreditation Commission
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
- MSCES — Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools
- MSCSS — Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and affiliates (e.g., SAIS)
- National Council of Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)