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. The Greene County Schools Homeschool Office is the point of contact for homeschooling questions.
Parents in Tennessee may choose to home school 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.
For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/education/families/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html .
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How do I register my child for an independent home school? |
File an Intent to Home School Form with the local school district where your family resides. The form is on the Tennessee Department of Education’s Home School webpage. |
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When can I register my child for independent home school? |
Anytime. There is no deadline for registering your child for home school the first time. For each subsequent year of independent home school, the Intent to Home School Form should be submitted prior to the start of each school year. |
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Who can register a child for independent home school? |
Only parents or legal guardians can register a child for independent home school. Legal guardians are required to present proof of guardianship at the time of registration. |
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What education level is required by the parent- teacher? |
Parent-teachers must have a high school diploma or GED. Proof of education must be submitted with the Intent to Home School Form. |
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Is there a specific curriculum that must be used for an independent home school? |
Parent-teachers are responsible for selecting and purchasing the curriculum used in their independent home school. The school district will ask for the identification of the selected curriculum. |
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Continued Registration |
A new Intent to Home School Form must be submitted prior to the start of each school year. |
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Instructional Requirements |
Students must have a minimum of four (4) hours of instruction per day for 180 days per year. |
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Attendance Reporting |
Attendance records must be submitted to the director of schools in the school district where the student lives at the end of each school year. Attendance records are subject to inspection at any time by the local director of schools. A calendar template is available on the Home School webpage or parent teachers may select their own calendar for documenting attendance. |
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Testing |
Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 must take the same state-board-approved, secure standardized tests required of public-school students (not the high school proficiency test). In Tennessee, this is the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). |
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Test Results |
If a home-school student falls six (6) to nine (9) months behind as determined by the test results, the parent-teacher shall consult with a Tennessee state licensed teacher to design a remedial course and report the course to the local director of schools. If the student performs one (1) year or more below grade level on two (2) consecutive tests, the superintendent may require parents or legal guardians to enroll the student in a public or private school. |
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Location and Cost of Testing |
Students may take the TCAP exams at the local public school that the student would otherwise attend at no charge OR at a professional testing service location approved by the local school district at the parent teacher’s expense. Tests administered by a professional testing service must be the same tests administered at the public school and within 30 days of the statewide test. Currently, the approved test is the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Test results must be shared with the parent teacher, director of schools, and the state board of education |
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Grading and Transcripts |
The parent-teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining grades and school transcripts. |
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High School Diploma or Certificate of Attendance |
The parent-teacher is responsible for creating the high school diploma or certificate of attendance. The state or local school district does not provide a diploma for home school students graduating from high school. |
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Entering or Re-Entering Public or Approved Private Schools |
Students will be tested for placement upon enrollment in a public or approved private school. Students in grades 9-12 will be tested in each subject area for credits toward graduation. |
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)
Process for Independent Home School Enrollment
STEP 1: Intent to Home School Form:
Print, complete and submit an Intent to Home School Form annually.
STEP 2: Proof of Education
Submit Proof of Education for the parent or legal guardian (at least a high school diploma or GED). Proof of education can be a copy of the parent or legal guardian's high school diploma/GED or a copy of the parent or legal guardian's college diploma or transcripts. Proof of education is only required for initial enrollment in the program.
Step 3: Submit All Required Forms
For new students, all required paperwork (Intent to Home School Form & proof of education) must be submitted at the same time. Incomplete applications will not be processed. All documentation must be submitted to [email protected] or submitted in person at 932 West Summer Street Greeneville, TN 37743.
STEP 5: Attendance Calendar
Download the Attendance Calendar (The Attendance Calendar can be located on the Greene County Schools Homeschool page. You must document daily attendance by placing a "x" in the box for each day you provided four hours of instruction. Submit the completed calendar to Greene County Schools after completion of 180 instructional days. Attendance Calendars are due at the end of each school year by last official school day-please see school calendar (usually around May 25). We recommend submitting your Attendance Calendar at the same time you submit your Intent to Home School Form if you plan to home school the following year.
After 180 Days of Instruction, Attendance Calendars must be submitted to [email protected] or in person. If you plan to home school the next year, please submit a new Intent to Home School Form with your Attendance Calendar at the end of the school year.