The Tennessee Department of Education requires parents/legal guardians who plan to conduct home schools during the school year to notify their local public schools’ superintendent by August 1st [T.C.A. 49-6-3050 (b) 910]. An amendment to the law now allows the student(s) to be enrolled at any time during the school year. Parents planning to home school can select the options of:
- Independent Home School in which they become the teacher of record. Attendance is turned in to Student Services in December and June of each school year.
- Faith based programs. Confirmation of being enrolled should be submitted to Student Services
- Online home school programs. Confirmation of being enrolled should be submitted to Student Services.
This applies to parents/guardians who conducted home school last year or during previous years and to new home school parents/legal guardians. Registration forms may be obtained from Student Services located in the School Administration Building at 304 New York Avenue or downloaded off the state website at https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html. Home school students registering with an accredited church-related (satellite home school) in grades nine through 12 must register with the Oak Ridge Schools.
Adults planning to conduct an independent home school for children in kindergarten through 12th grade are required to possess a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED) or college degree. This documentation must be submitted with the registration forms when student(s) are initially registered, not every year.
The State of Tennessee recognizes a home school as a “private school”. Special education regulations require public schools to discuss special services for private school students on a routine basis. Additionally, the parent or legal guardian of an independent home school student may request to participate in up to two public school classes to supplement their curriculum. This request must be made in writing to the superintendent for approval and submitted no later than August 1st to the Oak Ridge Schools, Student Services, 304 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
Home School Student Attendance
Parent/legal guardians who home schooled their children during the school year, must submit the Home School Attendance form to the Oak Ridge Schools, Student Services, 304 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. This form is due twice during the school year (December and June). If attendance forms have not been submitted, please do so as soon as possible. This form can be downloaded off the state website at https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/home-schooling-in-tn.html. If you have any questions, contact Student Services with the Oak Ridge Schools at (865) 425-9030 or fax your application to (865) 425-9061.