Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Tennessee - from choosing your compliance path to understanding TCAP testing. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Tennessee is a homeschool-friendly state with three distinct compliance paths and complete curriculum freedom. The state does not mandate any specific subjects, giving parents full control over what and how they teach their children.
Tennessee homeschool law is governed by T.C.A. § 49-6-3050 (Independent Home Schools) and related statutes covering Church-Related Schools (Category IV) and accredited online schools. The most unique feature of Tennessee homeschooling is the popular Church-Related School (CRS) option, with over 500 umbrella schools available statewide.
The Independent Home School path requires an annual Notice of Intent, 4 hours per day for 180 days of instruction, and TCAP testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. The CRS path eliminates most state reporting requirements entirely.
Tennessee has no required subjects for homeschoolers. You have complete curriculum freedom - choose your own materials, design your own program, and teach whatever subjects you believe are important for your child's education.
Tennessee offers three legal ways to homeschool your children. Each has different levels of state oversight, reporting requirements, and trade-offs. Here is how they compare.
| Requirement | Independent Home School | Church-Related School | Accredited Online School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | T.C.A. § 49-6-3050 | Category IV Non-Public | Category III Non-Public |
| Notice of Intent | Required annually (Aug 1) | Not required (CRS reports) | Not required (school reports) |
| Attendance | 4 hrs/day × 180 days | Per CRS rules | Per school rules |
| Parent Qualification | HS diploma or GED | HS diploma/GED (grades 9-12) | None |
| Required Subjects | None | Per CRS policies | Per school curriculum |
| State Testing | TCAP grades 5, 7, 9 | Per CRS rules | Per school rules |
| Attendance Records | Submit to district | Keep per CRS rules | Kept by school |
| Best For | Full independence families | Families wanting support | Families wanting structure |
The Independent Home School path under T.C.A. § 49-6-3050 gives parents full control over their child's education. You file an annual Notice of Intent with your local school district, provide 4 hours of instruction per day for 180 days, and your child takes the TCAP in grades 5, 7, and 9. There are no required subjects - you decide the curriculum entirely.
The teaching parent must hold a high school diploma or GED.
The Church-Related School path is extremely popular in Tennessee, with over 500 CRS options available statewide. A CRS is an umbrella school operated by a bona fide church organization and accredited by an approved agency. You enroll your children, teach at home under the CRS's direction, and the CRS handles state reporting for you.
The biggest advantages: no state NOI required, no state-mandated TCAP testing, and the CRS often provides transcripts, diplomas, group classes, sports, and community. Parent qualification (HS diploma/GED) is only required for grades 9-12 unless the CRS waives it.
You can enroll your child in an accredited private online school (Category III). The child is technically a private school student, not a homeschooler. The school sets all requirements for curriculum, testing, and attendance. The parent acts as a learning coach rather than the primary teacher. No state NOI is required.
If you want maximum independence with no umbrella school involvement, choose the Independent path. If you want less state reporting and access to community and support, a Church-Related School is the most popular choice in Tennessee. If you want structured curriculum and do not want to design your own program, an accredited online school may be the best fit.
Your filing requirements depend entirely on which compliance path you choose. Only the Independent Home School path requires a state Notice of Intent.
If you choose the Independent path, you must file an NOI with your local school district home school coordinator before August 1 each year.
The NOI is "for reporting purposes only" - the state does not approve or deny your curriculum choices. You are simply notifying the district of your intent to homeschool. Keep a copy of your filed NOI for your records.
If you choose the CRS path, simply enroll with your chosen CRS. The CRS reports student information to the local school district on your behalf. No state NOI is required. If withdrawing your child from public school, provide proof of CRS enrollment to the district.
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, submit a withdrawal letter to the school. Additionally, submit immunization records (or an exemption) to your district.
For the Independent path, the teaching parent must hold a high school diploma or GED. For the CRS path, this requirement only applies to grades 9-12, and even then the CRS may waive it. Make sure you meet the qualification before filing.
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Under the Independent Home School path, Tennessee requires 4 hours of instruction per day for a minimum of 180 days per year. This totals at least 720 hours of annual instruction.
You must maintain attendance records and submit them to the superintendent at the end of the school year. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar - you can set your own schedule as long as you meet the minimums.
Track your attendance daily rather than trying to reconstruct records later. Log the date and hours of instruction each day. Blue Folder makes this easy with calendar-based attendance tracking - just tap each day to log your hours. Try it free →
If you use the Church-Related School path, attendance requirements are set by the CRS, not the state. If you use an accredited online school, the school tracks attendance for you.
Tennessee requires Independent Home School families to maintain and submit attendance records to the superintendent at the end of each school year. Beyond attendance, keeping thorough records is recommended for college preparation and potential transitions back to public school.
Keep your records organized by school year. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, upload work samples, and generate your compliance binder in one click - so you are always ready when the district needs your records. Try it free →
If you use a Church-Related School, recordkeeping requirements are set by the CRS, not the state. Follow your CRS's specific policies for attendance logs, work samples, and other documentation. The CRS may also provide transcripts and diplomas.
Tennessee's testing requirements apply only to Independent Home School students and only in specific grades. This is one of the lighter testing requirements in the country.
Independent homeschoolers must take the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) in:
Tests can be administered by the commissioner of education, the local education agency (LEA), or a professional testing service approved by the LEA. Contact your district's home school coordinator to arrange testing.
If a student tests more than one year behind grade level for two consecutive required tests (and does not have a documented learning disability), the superintendent may require enrollment in a public, private, or church-related school. This is the only consequence - a single low score does not trigger any action.
If you use a Church-Related School or accredited online school, testing is determined by that school's policies, not by the state. Many CRS organizations have their own testing schedules and requirements.
Under the Independent path, your child only needs to take the TCAP in grades 5, 7, and 9 - just three tests across their entire K-12 education. There are no annual evaluations, portfolio reviews, or other assessment requirements between those grades.
Contact your district's home school coordinator early in the year to arrange TCAP testing for grades 5, 7, and 9. Testing is typically administered in the spring. Blue Folder tracks which grades require testing and reminds you automatically. Try it free →
Tennessee does not mandate any specific subjects for homeschoolers. You have complete curriculum freedom - the state does not require you to teach particular subjects, use specific textbooks, or follow the public school curriculum.
Your NOI includes a "proposed curriculum" section, but this is for reporting purposes only. The state does not approve or deny your curriculum choices. You decide what to teach and how to teach it.
While not required, many Tennessee homeschool families choose to cover these common subject areas:
Even though subjects are not mandated, covering a well-rounded set of academic areas prepares your child for TCAP testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. If you plan to transition your child to public school or college, having records of traditional subjects helps with credit placement and transcript creation.
Tennessee homeschool deadlines are straightforward. The key dates depend on which compliance path you choose.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Before August 1 | File Notice of Intent | Independent path only. Submit to your local school district home school coordinator. Include children's info, address, curriculum, hours, and qualifications. |
| Throughout the year | Maintain attendance | Independent path: 4 hours/day minimum for 180 days. Track daily and keep records. |
| Spring (testing years) | TCAP testing | Independent path only, grades 5, 7, and 9. Contact district coordinator to arrange. |
| End of school year | Submit attendance records | Independent path: Submit attendance log to superintendent. |
| Each August | File new NOI | Independent path only. NOI is annual - refile every year before August 1. |
If you are on the Independent Home School path, your Notice of Intent must be filed before August 1 each year. Filing late may cause issues with your district. Set a calendar reminder for July to prepare and submit your NOI.
Tennessee has several education funding programs, but most are not available to homeschoolers. Understanding the landscape helps you plan your budget and explore alternatives.
Tennessee's new universal scholarship provides approximately $7,295 per student per year with 20,000 slots available in year one. However, the EFS is NOT available for homeschoolers - it requires enrollment in a non-public school. Traditional homeschoolers (Independent or CRS satellite programs) are not eligible.
The existing ESA pilot program provides approximately $9,800 per year, but is limited to Nashville, Memphis, and Hamilton County with income restrictions. It is for approved non-public schools only - not for homeschoolers.
For students with IEPs or documented disabilities, the IEA provides funds for various education expenses. Homeschool eligibility is limited - check current rules if your child qualifies.
Tennessee's "universal" ESA is actually not universal for homeschoolers. If you want state funding, you must enroll in a private school, which means giving up the curriculum freedom that makes homeschooling attractive. For most families, the Independent or CRS path with self-funded curriculum remains the best option for maintaining educational freedom.
Tennessee offers limited public school access for homeschoolers. Options vary by district and are not guaranteed by state law.
Independent homeschoolers can take the TCAP at local public schools in grades 5, 7, and 9. Contact your district's home school coordinator to arrange testing. This is the primary public school resource available to homeschoolers.
Access to public school sports and extracurricular activities is not guaranteed by state law. Participation requires principal approval at the specific school, and each district makes its own policy. Availability varies significantly by area - some districts are welcoming while others do not allow it.
All students are eligible for disability testing through public schools. However, IEP services and federal funding allocation are primarily available to students enrolled in private or CRS schools. Traditional homeschoolers may have limited access to special education services.
Part-time enrollment in individual courses at public schools is at district discretion. Not all districts offer this option. Contact your local district to ask about availability.
If sports access is important to your family, a Church-Related School may offer organized sports, co-op classes, and group activities. Many CRS organizations have active athletic programs and social events for homeschool families.
Tennessee's homeschool laws are among the friendliest in the country, but new families still encounter avoidable problems. Here are the most common mistakes.
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, submit a withdrawal letter before beginning homeschool. Do not simply stop sending your child to school. Additionally, submit immunization records or an exemption to your district. Failure to properly withdraw can result in truancy issues.
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Track Tennessee ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your local school district or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see Tennessee Department of Education and T.C.A. § 49-6-3050. Last updated February 2026.