Homeschooling Laws in TN
Homeschooling Laws in TN
Fortunately, for families in TN considering homeschooling in 2002, the regulations around homeschooling in Tennessee are relatively relaxed compared to other states. 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." Since you are not required to send your child to preschool, these laws only apply to children who are of Kindergarten age of above. We also recommend families consult the Tennessee Department of Education website or contact the homeschooling department directly. Here is their email: Home.School@tn.gov
If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in the comments and we will do best to respond to everything.
Here are the three primary ways TN families can homeschool
Independent homeschool: Teach their children themselves
Church-related umbrella school: Attend a church-related school
Accredited online school Enroll in an accredited online school.
We are going to focus on option 1: Independent homeschool since the other options require a simple enrollment. Families can learn more about the other options on the Tennessee Department of Education website or contact the homeschooling department at Home.School@tn.gov
Remember, they are legally required to answer your questions and give you the information you need. That’s why you pay taxes! So draw on this resource.
Checklist
Start when your child is in Kindergarten
File your letter of intent by emailing your local school district coordinator (see list below) https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/nonpublic/hm_sch_intent_to_home_school.pdf
Submit proof that you have a GED or High School Diploma
Submit proof that you are the student’s legal guardian
Submit attendance records annually to local homeschool coordinator
In grades 5, 7, and 9 take standardized exams through your local school district for free (or another approved exam of your choice within 30 days of school standardized exams at your own expense).
Requirements
Families do not need to official start homeschooling until their child is of Kindergarten age.
The person teaching must be the student’s parent or legal guardian and submit proof (power of attorney is not sufficient proof).
The person teaching must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
Families must send a letter of intent to the local school district director at the beginning of each year. “Provide annual notice to the local director of schools 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 director of schools of the names, number, 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.”
Families must submit attendance records showing their child was homeschooled 4 hours a day, 180 days a year. (This does not mean that a student has to sit at a desk 4 hours a day and be taught by their parent. See our guide to power homeschooling to learn more)
In grades 5, 7 and 9, students must perform a standardized assessment. This is done by contacting the local school district.
If a student performs one full year below grade level for two years in a row, they may be sanctioned.
TN Homeschool Coordinators by city
Here is the most recent list of TN Homeschool Coordinators sorted by city and zip code
Alamo | 38001 | Reecha Black | blackr@alamoschool.org | (731) 696-5515
Alamo | 38001 | Bret Piatt | bret.piatt@crockettschools.net | (731) 696-2604
Alamo | 38001 | Sandy Woodruff | woodruffs@ccschools.net | (731) 696-4525
Alcoa | 37701 | Dr. Karie Prigmore | kprigmore@alcoaschools.net | (865) 984-0531 x544
Altamont | 37301-0097 | Valerie Sitz Nunley | vsitz@grundyk12.com | (931) 692-3467 ext. 126
Arlington | 38002 | Jeremy Yow | jeremy.yow@acsk-12.org | (901) 389-2497
Ashland City | 37015 | Wendy Cox | wendy.cox@ccstn.org | (615) 792-5664
Athens | 37303 | Linda Comerford | lcomerford@athensk8.net | (423) 745-2863
Athens | 37303 | Lori Hutchinson | lhutchinson@mcminnschools.com | (423) 745-1612 ext 1002
Atwood | 38220 | Regina Alred | regina.alred@wcssd.org | (731) 662.4200
Bartlett | 38134 | Audra Boyd | aboyd@bartlettschools.org | (901) 202-0855 ext 2283
Bells | 38006 | Benjamin Duffey | benjaminduffey@bellscityschool.org | (731) 663-2041 or 2836
Benton | 37037 | Tommy Frazier | tgfrazier@polkcountyschools.com | (423) 299-0471
Blountville | 37617 | Lindsay Lady | lindsay.lady@sullivank12.net | (423) 354-1020
Blountville | 37617 | Brent Palmer | Brent.Palmer@sullivank12.net | (423) 354-1020
Bolivar | 38008 | Wendy Mills | millsw2@hardemancountyschools.org | (731) 658-2510
Bradford | 38316 | Amy Dunn | adunn@bradfordspecial.com | (731) 742-3180
Bristol | 37620 | Jennifer Rouse | rousej@btcs.org | (423) 652-9233
Bristol | 37620 | Liz Weaver, Sec. | weaverl@btcs.org | (423) 652-9233
Brownsville | 38012 | Art Garrett | art.garrett@hcsk12.net | (731) 772-9613 X 2240
Bruceton | 38317 | Lauren Runions | runionsl@hrbk12.org | (731) 418-4189
Byrdstown | 38549 | Debbie Elder | debbie.elder@pickettk12.net | (931) 864-3123
Camden | 38320 | Chad Douglas | chad.douglas@bcos.org | (731) 584-6111
Carthage | 37030 | Amanda Taylor | amanda.taylor@smithcoedu.net | (615) 735-9625
Celina | 38551 | Cristi Beasley | beasleyc@clayedu.com | (931) 243-3310
Centerville | 37033 | Becky Malugin | becky.malugin@hickmank12.org | (931) 729-3391
Chattanooga | 37421 | Marsha Drake | Drake_Marsha@hcde.org | (423) 498-7074
Chattanooga | 37421 | Brook Bridges | Bridges_b@hcde.org | (423) 498-7074
Clarksburg | 38324 | Teresa McDaniel | teresa.mcdaniel@clarksburgschool.net | (731) 535-6090
Clarksville | 37040 | Kathy Philips | Kathy.philips@cmcss.net | (931) 542-5068
Clarksville | 37040 | Mary Davila | mary.davila@cmcss.net | (931) 542-5069
Clarksville | 37040 | Carol Davis | Carol.Davis@cmcss.net | (931) 542-5065
Cleveland | 37311 | Todd Shoemaker | toshoemaker@bradleyschools.org | (423) 476-0620
Cleveland | 37312 | Kellye Bender | kbender@clevelandschools.org | (423) 472-9571
Cleveland | 37312 | Kathy Hooks | khooks@clevelandschools.org | (423) 472-9571
Clinton | 37716 | Jo Ann Leach | jleach@acs.ac | (865) 463-2800 ext. 2826
Clinton | 37716 | Paula Sellers | psellers@acs.ac | (865) 463-2800 ext. 2826
Clinton | 37716 | Suzanne Oliver | olivers@clintonschools.org | (865) 457-0159
Collierville | 38017 | Sonya Spencer | skee@colliervilleschools.org | (901) 286-6398
Columbia | 38401 | Jeffrey Richey | jrichey@mauryk12.org | (931) 388-8403 x0101
Columbia | 38401 | Stacey English | senglish@mauryk12.org | (931) 388-8403 ext 8108
Cookeville | 38506 | Chris Pierce | pierceb2@pcsstn.com | (931) 526-9777
Covington | 38019 | Steve Maclin | smaclin@tipton-county.com | (901) 475-5961
Crossville | 38555 | Patricia Overstreet | poverstreet@ccschools.k12tn.net | (931) 484-6135
Dandridge | 37425 | Kirsten Mullins | kmullins@jcboe.net | (865) 397-3194
Dayton | 37321 | Cameron Burton | burtonca@daytoncity.net | (423) 775-8414 ext 7112
Dayton | 37321 | Tami Wilkey | Wilkeyta@daytoncity.net | (423) 619-7736
Dayton | 37321 | Erick Baird | bairde@rheacounty.org | (423) 775-7821 ext. 2232
Decatur | 37322 | G. David Brown | david@meigsboe.net | (423) 334-5793
Decaturville | 38329 | Renae Lomax | renae.lomax@decaturschools.org | (731) 852-2391
Dickson | 37055 | Cindy Estes | cestes@dcstn.org | (615) 446-7571 ext 12700
Dover | | Marian Page | marianpage@stewartcountyschools.org | (931) 232-5176
Dover | | Stacey Crockarell | staceycrockarell@stewartcountyschools.org | (931) 232-5176
Dresden | 38225 | Mark Maddox | Mark.Maddox@wcsk12tn.net | (731) 364-3580
Dresden | 38225 | Regina Sipes | regina.sipes@wcsk12tn.net | (731) 364-6992 ext. 4
Dunlap | 37327 | Melissa Cordell | mcordell@sequatchie.k12.tn.us | (423) 949-3617
Dunlap | 37327 | Mollie Holland | mholland@sequatchie.k12.tn.us | (423) 949-3617
Dyer | 38330 | Brad Garner | garnerb@gcssd.org | (731) 692-3803
Dyersburg | 38024 | Stephanie Johnson | sjohnson@dyercs.net | (731) 285-6712
Dyersburg | 38024 | Steve Nunley | snunley@dyersburgcityschools.org | (731) 286-3600 ext 126
Elizabethton | 37643 | Penny Ayers | pennyayers@carterk12.net | (423) 547-4020
Elizabethton | 37643 | Travis Thompson | travis.thompson@ecschools.net | (423) 440-2054
Erin | 37061 | Terri Mathis | tmathis1@houstonk12tn.net | (731) 289-4148
Erwin | 37650 | Dr.Chris Bogart | bogartc@unicoischools.com | (423) 743-1600
Erwin | 37650 | Tiffany Altemose | altemoset@unicoischools.com | (423) 743-1600
Etowah | 37331 | Pam Cathey | catheyp@etowahcityschool.com | (423) 263-5483 ext 9
Fayetteville | 37334 | Claudia Styles | stylesc@fcsboe.org | (931) 433-5542
Fayetteville | 37334 | Linda Tallman | ltallman@lcdoe.org | (931) 433-3565
Franklin | 37064 | Carol Riordan | riordancar@fssd.org | (615) 794-6624
Franklin | 37064 | Jacob Crossno | homeschool@wcs.edu, jacob.crossno@wcs.edu | (615) 472-5552
Gainsboro | 38562 | Phyllis Goad | phyllisgoad@jacksoncoschools.com | (931) 268-0119
Gallatin | 37066 | Melanie Webster | Melanie.Webster@sumnerschools.org | (615) 451-5409
Gallatin | 37066 | Cathy Houdeshell | cathy.houdeshell@sumnerschools.org | (615) 451-5409
Germantown | | Karen Dodd | karen.dodd@gmsdk12.org | (901) 752-7876
Germantown | | Chauncey Bland | chauncey.bland@gmsdk12.org | (901) 752-7900
Greeneville | 37743 | Amber Steele Moore | Amber.Moore@gcstn.org | (423) 736-1835
Greeneville | 37744 | Amy Saunders | saundersa@gcschools.net | (423) 787-8011
Hartsville | 37074 | Jennifer Cothron | jennifercothron@tcschools.org | (615) 374-2193
Henderson | 38340 | Dr. Steven Marise | steven.marise@chestercountyschools.org | (731) 989-5134
Hohenwald | 38462 | Angela Leigh | aleigh@lewisk12.org | (931) 796-3264
Humboldt | 38343 | Alisha Baskerville | alisha.baskerville@hcsvikings.org | (731) 784-2652 Ext. 58
Huntingdon | 38344 | Alan Eubanks | aeubanks@huntingdonschools.net | (731) 986-2222
Huntsville | 37756 | Keith Murley | keith.murley@scottcounty.net | (423) 663-2159
Jacksboro | 37757 | Sallie Elliott | sallie.elliott@ccpstn.net | (423) 562-8377
Jackson | 38305 | Catherine Korth | cjkorth@jmcss.org | (731) 664-2545
Jackson | 38305 | Christina Sullivan | cnsullivan@jmcss.org | (731) 664-2571
Jamestown | 38556 | Wayne Crouch | wcrouch@fentressboe.com | (931) 879-9290
Jasper | 37347 | David Smith | dsmith@mctns.net | (423) 942-0945 ext 110
Johnson City | 37605 | Danise Slayton | slaytond@jcschools.org | (423) 434-5219
Johnson City | 37605 | Tammy Pearce | pearcet@jcschools.org. | (423) 434-5585
Johnson City | 37659 | Shannon Gray | grays@wcde.org | (423)753-1100
Kingsport | 37660 | Jim Nash | jnash@k12k.com | (423) 378-2169
Kingston | 37763 | Liz Parker | lparker@roaneschools.com | (865) 376-5592
Knoxville | 37901 | Heather Willis | Heather.Willis@knoxschools.org | (865) 594-1965
Lafayette | 37083 | Michael Owens | owensm6@maconcountyschools.org | (615) 666-2125
Lakeland | 38002 | Kathryn (Kim) Pickens | kpickens@lakelandk12.org | (901) 317-6011, Ext. 111
Lawrenceburg | 38464 | Michele Truitt | elizabeth.truitt@lcss.us | (931) 762-3581 ext 103
Lebanon | 37087 | Mike Kurtz | mike.kurtz@lssd.org | (615) 449-6060
Lebanon | 37090 | Stan Moss | mosss@wcschools.com | 615-453-7281
Lenoir City | 37771 | Joshua Brannon | jlbrannon@lenoircityschools.net | (865) 988-2060
Lewisburg | 37091 | Ginger Tepedino | ginger.tepedino@mcstn.net | (931) 359-1581
Lewisburg | 37091 | Betsy Gentry | betsy.gentry@mcstn.net | (931) 359-1581
Lexington | 38351 | Harlan Fesmire | fesmire.harlan@hcschoolstn.org | (731) 249-1201 or 731-695-5058
Lexington | 38351 | Jamie McAdams | mcadamsj3@caywood.org | (731) 965-5591
Linden | 37096 | Ashley Carroll | acarroll@perrycountyschools.us | (931) 589-2102
Livingston | 38570 | Cristy Miller | cristymiller@oc-sd.com | (931) 823-1287
Livingston | 38570 | Wayne Sells | wsells1@oc-sd.com | (931) 823-1287
Loudon | 37774 | Dawn Cox | coxd@loudoncounty.org | (865) 458-5411 x111
Lynchburg | | Danny Mooney | danny.mooney@moorecountyschools.net | (931) 759-7303
Madisonville | 37354 | Brooke Johannsen | brooke@monroek12.org | (423) 442-2373
Manchester | 37355 | Keith Cornelius | corneliusk@k12coffee.net | (931) 723-5150
Manchester | 37355 | Randall Robinson | rrobinson@k12mcs.net | (931) 728-2316
Maryville | 37803 | Justin Ridge | justin.ridge@blountk12.org | (865) 984-9420
Maryville | 37803 | Mark Taylor | mark.taylor@blountk12.org | (865) 984-9420
Maryville | 37803 | Derek Hunt | derek.hunt@maryville-schools.org | (865) 982-7121
Maynardville | 37807 | Roxanne Patterson | pattersonr@ucps.org | (865) 992-5466
McKenzie | 38201 | Dianne Anderson, Ph.D. | andersond@mckenzieschools.org | (731) 352-2246
McMinnville | 37110 | Jeff Martin | martinj@warrenschools.com | (931) 668-4022 x11303
McMinnville | 37110 | Barbara Sander | sanderb@warrenschools.com | (931) 668-4022 x 11301
Memphis | 38112 | Ellander Jones | jonese@scsk12.org | (901) 416-6884
Memphis | 38112 | Jamison Morris | MORRISJD@scsk12.org | (901) 416-6884
Milan | 38358 | Greg Scott | scottg@milanssd.org | (731) 686-0844 ext. 2026
Millington | 38053 | Mark Neal | mneal@millingtonschools.org | (901) 873-5680
Morristown | 37813 | Debbie Parker | parkerd@hcboe.net | (423) 586-7700
Mountain City | 37683 | Edna Miller | emiller@jocoed.net | (423) 727-2640
Murfreesboro | 37127 | Joe Marlin | joe.marlin@cityschools.net | (615) 225-9353/ 615-631-0942
Murfreesboro | 37128 | Debbie Smotherman | Smothermand@rcschools.net | (615) 893-5812 x22127
Nashville | 37204 | Tammy Lee | tammy.lee@mnps.org | (615) 259-8799
Newport | 37821 | Dennis Balch | balchd@cocke.k12.tn.us | (423) 623-7821x 1-2020
Newport | 37821 | Justin Norton | justin.norton@newportgrammar.org | (423) 613-1897
Oak Ridge | 37830 | Larissa Henderson | lhenderson@ortn.edu | (865) 425-9026
Oneida | 37841 | Dr. Jeanny Phillips | jphillips@oneidaschools.org | (423) 569-8912 x224
Oneida | 37841 | Zacch Brown | zbrown@oneidaschools.org | (423) 569-8912 x224
Paris | 38242 | Renae Wade | wader@henryk12.net | (731) 642-9733
Paris | 38242 | Sherry Wagner | sherry.wagner@parisssd.org | (731) 642-9322
Pikeville | 37367 | Brian Turner | brianturner@bledsoecountyschools.org | (423) 447-2914
Pulaski | 38478 | Tommy Hunter | thunter@gcboe.us | (931) 363-4558 ext 2112
Pulaski | 38478 | Susan Woodard | swoodard@gcboe.us | (931) 363-4558 ext 2112
Ripley | 38063 | Cindy Bryant-Campbell | cbryant@k12.Lced.net | (731) 635-2941
Rogersville | 37857 | Patrick Fraley | Patrick.Fraley@hck12.net | (423) 272-7629 x120
Rogersville | 37857 | Teresa Helton | Teresa.Helton@hck12.net | (423) 272-7629 ext 2003
Rogersville | 37857 | Mitzie Carr | mitzie.carr@hck12.net | (423) 272-7329 Ext. 2423
Rogersville | 37857 | Vickie Knox | knoxv@rcschool.net | (423) 272-7651
Rutledge | 37861 | Staci Gray | sgray@gcs123.net | (865) 828-3611
Savannah | 38372 | Ryan Miller | ryan.miller@hctnschools.com | (731) 925-3943 ext. 3240
Selmer | 38375 | Kathie Berryman | berrymank@mcnairy.org | (731) 645-3267
Sevierville | 37862 | Susan Howard | susanhoward@sevier.org | (865) 453-4671
Shelbyville | 37160 | Barry Bennett | bennettb@bedfordk12tn.net | (931) 684-3284 ext. 2210
Smithville | 37166 | Joey Reeder | joeyreeder@dekalbschools.net | (615) 215-2102 or (615)597-4084
Sneedville | 37869 | Misty Rasnic | misty.rasnic@hcsk12.com | (423) 733-8094
Sneedville | 37869 | Melissa Atkins | melissa.atkins@hcsk12.com | (423) 733-8094
Somerville | 38068 | Phyllis Taylor | phyllis.taylor@fcsk12.net | (901) 465-5268
South Pittsburg | 37380 | Sharon Allison | sallison@richardhardy.org | (423) 837-7282 ext. 301
Sparta | 38583 | Bryan Haley | bryan.haley@whitecoschools.net | (931) 836-2229 ext. 325
Spencer | 38585 | Jamie Simmons | simmonsj1@vanburenschools.org | (931) 946-2242 x24
Springfield | 37172 | Teresa Leavitt | Teresa.Leavitt@rcstn.net | (615) 384-5588
Springfield | 37172 | Cathy Watkins | Cathy.Watkins@rcstn.net | (615) 384-5588
Sweetwater | 37874 | Danielle Gross | danielle.gross@scstn.net | (423) 337-7051
Tazewell | 37879 | Rhonda Epperson | rhonda.epperson@ClaiborneCSD.org | (423) 626-3543 x2214
Tiptonville | 38079 | Bret Johnson | bret@lcfalcons.net | (731) 253-6601
Trenton | 38382 | Lisa Bradford | lisa.bradford@trentonssd.org | (731) 855-1191
Tullahoma | 37388 | Shannon Duncan | shannon.duncan@tcsedu.net | (931) 454-2620
Union City | 38261 | Greg Barclay | gbarclay@ocboe.com | (731) 885-9743
Union City | 38261 | Michael Paul Miller | millerm@ucboe.net | (731) 885-3922
Wartburg | 37887 | Tammy Adams | adamst@mcsed.net | (423) 346-6214
Waverly | 37185 | Robert Martin | martinr@hcss.org | (931) 296-2568
Waynesboro | 38485 | LaDonna Edwards | ladonna.edwards@waynetn.net | (931) 722-3548
Winchester | 37398 | Delinda McDonald | delinda.mcdonald@fcstn.net | (931) 967-0626
Woodbury | 37190 | Bonnie Patterson | bonnie.patterson@ccstn.net | (615) 563-5752 x245 or (629)-201-4801
Still have questions? Post your questions in the comments and we will do our best to respond and get the information you need!
