Homeschooling in Tennessee: Guidance for Getting Started

Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, if you are a parent considering homeschooling your child, it is important to know the details of what your specific state requires.

This has everything you need to get started homeschooling in Tennessee, including legal requirements, documentation information, and resources to help you connect with other homeschoolers in your area. 

With this valuable information, you’ll be well-equipped to decide if homeschooling is right for your family, what type of approach you prefer for homeschooling in TN, and the action steps to take in order to get started today. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is not written as legal advice. Check with your local school board and official Tennessee homeschool laws before making decisions about educating your children.

In order to operate as an “independent homeschool” in Tennessee,  you must meet the following requirements each year:

• Meet all required teacher's qualifications. In Tennessee, you must have at least a high school diploma or a GED in order to homeschool your child.
• Submit a notice of intent. Before each school year, you must submit a notice of intent to homeschool to your local school district. This notice should include your children’s names and ages, the total number of homeschooled students in your household and their grade levels, your address, the curriculum being used, and your proposed hours of instruction. You must also confirm that you meet Tennessee’s educational qualifications (high school diploma/GED). You will find the notice of intent form on the Tennessee Department of Education’s website. 
• Submit proof of immunization. You must attach proof of your child’s immunizations or a medical/religious exemption to your letter of intent.
• Meet day and hour requirements. You are required to homeschool 180 days each year, four hours each day in Tennessee. Attendance records must be submitted each year to the director of schools in your local school district. 
• Testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. Standardized testing is required for homeschoolers in grades 5, 7, and 9. This is administered by the commissioner of education or by a professional testing service approved by your local education agency. 

Another option for homeschoolers in Tennessee is enrolling in a church-related school or “CRS.” This “umbrella school” oversees you, as your child’s teacher, and provides varying levels of homeschool support and resources. This statute requires:

• Formal enrollment in the CRS

• Submit proof of immunization or exemption status to the CRS

Comply with all policies established by the CRS. This will include attendance requirements, documentation, and testing, although the specifics of these requirements will vary from school to school.

“Category III” schools are accredited non-public schools. These schools are required to report student attendance information to the school district in which the student resides. More information about Category III schools is available through the Tennessee Department of Education. 

Once you have an idea of how you would like to approach homeschooling in your family, you’ll need to choose a curriculum. Your choice should include all subjects you listed in your annual notice of intent to homeschool. 

Many families find the transition from a classroom to home education to be a welcome change. As with any change, however, it can take some time to get comfortable with the different demands of learning at home. This video provides helpful tips for making the transition to homeschooling. 

It is also a good idea to designate a space in your home to house all of your books and learning resources. You may find that homeschooling often happens on your couch, at the dining room table, or even in your backyard! There is no need to designate a specific room for school, but you will likely find it helpful to keep all of your materials in one location for easy access. 

Tennessee has a wealth of opportunities for meaningful and educational field trips for homeschoolers. In fact, it’s one thing that homeschool parents love most about homeschooling in Tennessee.

We have homeschooled here for nine years. Middle TN has a very large homeschooling community. There are tons of field trip groups to help you get connected. Field trips we have enjoyed include The Clay Lady, the Adventure Science Center, Frist Art Museum, TN State History Museum, Zoo, farms in the fall, the Dancing Lights of Christmas, hiking, and the Parthenon.” —Sarah D. Sonlight Mom, Hermitage, Lebanon, and then Carthage, TN

Consider these top field trip options for homeschoolers in Tennessee:

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
2. East Tennessee Historical Museum
3. Adventure Science Center
4. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
5. Art Museum of the University of Memphis
6. Chattanooga Zoo
7. Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium
8. American Museum of Science and Energy
9. Appalachian Caverns
10. Andrew Jackson’s The Hermitage

As you enjoy these and many more outings with your family, document your learning with our free printable field trip log. This is also part of our Sonlight homeschool planner. 

When making the decision to homeschool, it is important to consider the financial requirements. Research shows that homeschooling one child costs between $500 to $2500 a year on average. Let’s look at how finances play a role in homeschooling in Tennessee.

Tennessee homeschooling statutes allow homeschoolers to partner with local schools on a case-by-case basis. While homeschoolers do not have any explicit rights to use public school facilities and supports, local school districts may allow homeschooled students to participate in various classes and extracurricular activities. 

Under state law, Tennessee homeschoolers cannot be prohibited from trying out for interscholastic athletics teams. Many homeschooling families in Tennessee find that after-school sports are a great addition to their overall homeschool education. 

Homeschooling a child with special needs is legal in Tennessee (and in all 50 states). A child with special needs is eligible for consideration for special education services, including an IEP, through your local school district. 

Many families choose to homeschool in order to incorporate religious beliefs into education. For Christian homeschoolers, this typically includes adding these options to their learning:

• Bible texts as a part of the curriculum
• Christian biographies included in reading lessons
• Prayer for missionaries 
• Educational discussions using faith-based perspectives

If you are seeking a Christian educational option, Sonlight is a curriculum that has all of these faith-based components. Sonlight is the standard for a Christian literature-based homeschool curriculum. 

Another resource for Christian homeschooling in Tennessee is the Tennessee Home Education Association. THEA considers itself a Christian homeschool support organization, but THEA membership is open to all.

There is so much value in finding other, like-minded homeschoolers to share in your family’s homeschool education.  Veteran homeschool parents often cite a mentor or co-op group as one of the greatest supports in getting started on their homeschool journey.

The good news is, there are ample opportunities to find and cultivate community in Tennessee. THEA sponsors regional chapters to help homeschoolers connect.  Local co-ops and homeschool groups are also available in most areas. 

Sonlight is also a valuable resource for finding a homeschool community in Tennessee. You can search for an in-person group in Tennessee on our Sonlight Connections Page. You will also find homeschoolers to connect with in our Sonlight Facebook Group. 

Although parents often worry about the prospect of homeschooling in the high school years, the good news is that the requirements for homeschooling high school in the state of Tennessee are no different than any other grade level. You will submit your notice of intent and follow the same attendance and documentation requirements. 

Although state statutes remain the same in the high school years, parents often find that reviewing graduation requirements for their state is helpful in determining a homeschool learning plan. In the state of Tennessee, high school graduation requirements include: 

• Language Arts - 4 years
• Mathematics - 4 years
• Science - 3 years
• Social Studies - 3 years
• Foreign Language - 2 years
• Fine Arts - 1 year
• Personal Finance - 1 semester
• Electives including physical education and wellness - 4 years. 

As with every other grade level, as an independent homeschooler, you choose how to teach these subjects or even if you teach these subjects.. You are responsible for selecting the program and learning resources that best suit your high schooler’s needs. 

Sonlight has exceptional curriculum programs that satisfy Tennessee high school graduation requirements and create an engaging and dynamic learning experience for your teen.

As your homeschooled child progresses through the high school years, you will likely need to prepare transcripts for post-secondary education. The good news is, Sonlight has an abundance of resources available to help you create a first-class high school transcript for your homeschool graduate.