Three Ways to Homeschool in Tennessee
Tennessee law recognizes three options for homeschooling: Independent Homeschool, Church-Related Umbrella School, Accredited Online School
Independent Homeschool
You register directly with your local school district
Church-Related Umbrella School
You enroll under a Category IV private school
Accredited Online School
You enroll in a state-approved online program
Independent Homeschool Requirements
If you choose to homeschool independently, Tennessee law requires:
• Parent must have a high school diploma or GED
• Submit an Intent to Home School form to your local school district before each
school year (by August 1st recommended)
• Provide 4 hours of instruction per day for 180 days per year
• Keep attendance records and submit them to your local superintendent by June
15th each year
• Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 must take the TCAP assessment (or approved
alternative)
Umbrella School Option (Recommended)
We highly recommend finding an umbrella school to simplify homeschooling and
maintain legal compliance. Umbrella schools are affordable options that handle record-
keeping and ensure your child is legally enrolled as a homeschooler.
Key Benefit: Students enrolled in umbrella schools (Category IV church-related
schools) are NOT required to take the TCAP test. Umbrella schools handle testing
requirements according to their own internal policies, which means no state-mandated
testing in grades 5, 7, and 9.
Important: Meraki is not an umbrella school and is not responsible for your child's
enrollment or withdrawal. We will help you fill out curriculum sheets required by your
umbrella school upon enrollment in our program.
Recommended umbrella schools:
• Chestnut Ridge Academy (chestnutridgeacademy.org)
• Aaron Academy (aaronacademy.com)
• The Farm School Umbrella
Contact these schools directly to find the best fit for your family. Umbrella schools
handle attendance reporting, record-keeping, and testing requirements, making
homeschooling much simpler for parents.
TCAP Testing Requirements (Independent Homeschoolers Only)
Important: This section only applies to independent homeschool students.
Students enrolled in umbrella schools are exempt from TCAP testing.
Independent homeschool students must take standardized tests in grades 5, 7, and 9.
You have two options:
• Take the TCAP test at your local public school during their spring testing window
• Use an approved professional testing service (must test within 30 days of the
statewide test date)
Approved alternative tests include:
• Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
• Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10)
• California Achievement Test (CAT)
• Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS)
Testing resources: hslda.org/teaching-my-kids/testing-evaluation
Getting Started - Withdrawal Process
Parents may withdraw their child from school to homeschool at any point during the
school year:
• Choose your homeschool option (independent or umbrella school)
• If using an umbrella school, enroll with them first - they will request records from
your current school
• If homeschooling independently, submit your Intent to Home School form to your
local school district
• Take the enrollment receipt to your current school to officially unenroll
• Return any school materials (laptop, textbooks, etc.)
• Verify with your umbrella school or district that enrollment is complete (typically
2-5 days)
Important Reminders
A new Intent to Home School form must be submitted before the start of each
school year if homeschooling independently
• Families at Meraki must keep their own attendance records for their umbrella
school
• Tennessee requires 4 hours of instruction per day for 180 days per year
• You must verify with your umbrella school or district that you have completed
enrollment or you may be considered truant
There are many wonderful homeschooling opportunities for your family. You aren't
going to know everything, and it's perfectly acceptable to learn alongside your child. We
look forward to being your partner on this learning journey.
Additional Resources
Tennessee Department of Education: tn.gov/education/families/school-
options/home-schooling-in-tn.html
• Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA): hslda.org
• Free Your Children: freeyourchildren.com
• Hidden Bee Farm / Hidden Bee Learning (Columbia, TN)