Greene County Schools Home School Information
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 Home School 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 home school their own children may do so by choosing one of the following three options.
1. Independent Home School
Parents may home school their own children pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-3050 by registering with their local school district. The law states that parents of independent home school students must:
- Provide annual notice to the local school system prior to each school year of the parent-teacher’s intent to conduct a home school and, for the purpose of reporting only, submission to the school system of the names, 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 (copy of their diploma);
- Maintain attendance records and submit these records to the GCS Homeschool Department at the end of each school year.
- You may find Academic State Standards here:https://www.tn.gov/education/districts/academic-standards.html
- Graduation Requirements: https://www.tn.gov/education/families/graduation-requirements.html
Parents in Greene County choosing this educational option should begin by contacting the homeschool coordinator. The parent will be required to complete an Intent to Home School form and provide evidence of their high school diploma or GED. 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.
Independent Home School Requirements: Grades K-12
*Register each year and submit attendance log
For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/families/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html .
Can home school athletes play sports in TN public schools?
Yes, the parent or guardian must make application for participation in athletics to the principal of the member school in which the home school athlete wishes to try out and possibly participate before the first official practice date for that sport. You will provide the principal with proof of homeschooling.
Please read the TSSAA Homeschool Rules.
2. Church-related Umbrella School
By authority of the same statute, parents may also home school their own children by registering with a church-related “umbrella” school defined by Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801. Parents who choose this option will be required to provide evidence to the local school district that their child is enrolled in a church-related school. An Intent to Home School form is not required for students who enrolled in a church-related school. The church-related school will determine record keeping and test requirements for students enrolled in an umbrella program.
For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/families/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html.
3. 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 and will be required to provide evidence to the local school district that their child is enrolled in an accredited online school.
To be an acceptable online school for students who reside in Tennessee, the school must be accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies listed below:
2) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS)
• MSCES – Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools
• MSCSS – Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
3) New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
4) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
5) Any accrediting association recognized by the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA) (formerly NAIS Commission on Accreditation) including, but not limited to, the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) 6. Any accrediting association recognized by the National Council of Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)