Tennessee Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In Tennessee—
Homeschooling in Tennessee
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
Tennessee Education Freedom
Click above for general information on the school voucher plans.
Tennessee Department of Education
Click above for the Tennessee Department of Education
Homeschool Summary
In Tennessee, families have several options for homeschooling, each with distinct requirements and levels of oversight. The three primary pathways are:
1. Independent Home School
This option allows parents or legal guardians to serve as the primary educators for their children. Key requirements include:
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Notification: Submit an annual “Intent to Home School” form to the local school district before the school year begins.
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Qualifications: The teaching parent must possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
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Instruction Time: Provide a minimum of four hours of instruction per day for 180 days each academic year.
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Subjects: While the state does not mandate specific subjects, it is recommended to cover core areas such as reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
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Recordkeeping: Maintain attendance records and submit them to the local school district at the end of the school year.
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Testing: Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 are required to take standardized tests approved by the State Board of Education.
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Immunizations: Provide proof of immunization or a valid exemption.
2. Church-Related Umbrella School (Category IV)
Under this model, families homeschool under the supervision of a church-related school. These schools are accredited by a state-recognized Christian school accrediting agency. Key requirements include:
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Enrollment: Parents must enroll their children in a church-related school, which then oversees the homeschooling process.
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Qualifications: Determined by the church-related school; the state does not impose specific requirements.
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Instruction Time: Typically, 180 days per year, as required by the church-related school.
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Curriculum and Assessment: Set by the church-related school; there are no state-mandated subjects or testing requirements.
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Recordkeeping: Attendance and other records are maintained as required by the church-related school.
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Immunizations: Proof of immunization or a valid exemption must be provided.
3. Accredited Online School (Category III)
Families may choose to enroll their children in an accredited online private school. These schools are considered non-public schools and are accredited by agencies approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education.
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Enrollment: Parents must provide proof of enrollment to the local school district.
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Qualifications, Instruction Time, Curriculum, and Assessment: Determined by the accredited online school; the state does not impose specific requirements.
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Recordkeeping: Maintained by the accredited online school as per their policies.
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Immunizations: Proof of immunization or a valid exemption must be provided.
Tennessee Scholarship Program
Eligibility Criteria
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Student Eligibility: Tennessee residents entitled to attend public school in grades K–12 are eligible. Students currently enrolled in homeschooling or church-related schools are not eligible for the EFS Program.
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Income-Based Prioritization: In the initial year, priority is given to students from lower-income households (up to 300% of the federal poverty level), students with disabilities, and those eligible for the existing ESA program. Subsequent years will see a phased expansion, with additional scholarships added based on demand.
Tenneessee Program Summary
Homeschool and Church Related Schools Not Eligible
The Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program, established by the Education Freedom Act of 2025, is a statewide school choice initiative designed to provide families with greater flexibility in selecting educational options for their children. Set to launch in the 2025–26 academic year, the program offers state-funded scholarships to eligible K–12 students for use toward private school tuition and other approved educational expenses.
Key Features
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Scholarship Amount: Each scholarship is valued at $7,295 for the 2025–26 school year, with future amounts adjusted annually based on the state’s per-pupil funding formula.
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Number of Scholarships: A total of 20,000 scholarships will be available in the first year:
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10,000 reserved for students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, students with disabilities, or those eligible for the existing Education Savings Account (ESA) program.
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10,000 open to all other eligible students, regardless of income.
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Eligible Expenses: Funds can be used for tuition and fees at participating Category I, II, or III private schools in Tennessee. After covering tuition, remaining funds may be applied to other educational expenses, such as textbooks, tutoring, transportation, and technology.
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School Participation: Over 350 private schools have expressed interest in participating in the EFS Program, including various religious and independent institutions across the state.
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Testing Requirements: Students in grades 3–11 who receive scholarships are required to take either the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) or a nationally standardized achievement test. Results will be reported to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office for annual evaluation.
Homeschool Resources for Tennessee
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney. Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice.