When is the homeschool filing deadline in Tennessee?

The filing deadline for Tennessee is Before each school year. You must submit a simple notice to Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA). This must be renewed annually.

When is homeschool testing due in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires Standardized test at_grades. Results must be submitted to Local director of schools and the state board of education (results also go to the parent-teacher).

When can I apply for Tennessee's education savings program?

Tennessee offers Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program (Amount varies; check with the program).

Tennessee Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Key homeschool deadlines for Tennessee, based on T.C.A. 49-6-3050.

These are general deadlines for Independent Home School (Grades K-8), the most common of Tennessee's 3 pathways. Our free wizard calculates exact dates for your family and sends email reminders.

Key deadlines at a glance

Tennessee's deadlines are relative to when you start homeschooling (e.g., “within 30 days”) rather than fixed calendar dates. See the sections below for details, or use the wizard to calculate your exact dates.

Filing deadlines

Initial filing deadline: Before each school year
Annual renewal deadline: Before each school year
Send to: Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA)

Practical tip: Before each school year, send your notice to the local director of schools. It reports your children's names, number, ages and grade levels, the location of your school, your proposed curriculum, your proposed hours of instruction and your qualifications as the parent-teacher.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(1)

Assessment deadlines

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "Local director of schools and the state board of education (results also go to the parent-teacher)"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): null; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): null

Testing is required in grades 5 and 7 (T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(5)(A)).

Frequency: at_grades
At grades: 5, 7
Submit to: Local director of schools and the state board of education (results also go to the parent-teacher)

Practical tip: In grades 5 and 7, your child takes either a nationally normed English language arts and math test you select (proctored by someone not related to your child, at your expense) or the state tests given to public school students in that grade. Results go to you, the director of schools and the state board of education. No passing score is set.

See our full assessment guide for Tennessee for accepted test types and scoring details.

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)(5)

Reporting deadlines

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "Before the start of each school year"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): "Before the start of each school year"; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): null

Annual renewal: Required by Before the start of each school year

T.C.A. 49-6-3050(b)

Other ways to homeschool in Tennessee

These deadlines are for Independent Home School (Grades K-8). Tennessee offers 3 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

•
Independent Home School (Grades K-8)(this page): You send an annual notice to your local director of schools before each school year, teach at least 4 hours a day for 180 days, keep attendance records and turn them in at the end of each school year, and arrange a standardized test in grades 5 and 7. The law sets no required subject list; you describe your proposed curriculum in the notice. The parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or a state board-approved high school equivalency credential.
•
Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): The same rules as the K-8 independent home school. You send an annual notice to your local director of schools before each school year, teach at least 4 hours a day for 180 days, and keep attendance records and turn them in at the end of each school year. The parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or a state board-approved high school equivalency credential. The tested grade for high school is grade 9.
•
Church-Related School (Umbrella School): You enroll your children in a church-related school (defined in T.C.A. 49-50-801) and teach as a parent-teacher in that school. You follow the requirements the school sets for home school teachers, and the independent home school rules do not apply. The law does not require a notice to the local director of schools under this option. For grades 9-12, the parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or a state board-approved high school equivalency credential.

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for Tennessee

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Get your Tennessee deadlines

Deadlines sourced from T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Last reviewed October 2026