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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 the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year
Annual renewal deadline
Before the start of each school year, or before commencing instruction if withdrawing mid-year
Send to
Director of schools (superintendent) of the local education agency (LEA)
Practical tip: Your notice must include the names, number, ages, and grade levels of your children. Send it to the director of schools (superintendent) before the school year starts.

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

Assessment deadlines

Varies by pathway. Independent Home School (Grades K-8): "LEA director of schools (superintendent) and state board of education"; Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): null; Church-Related School (Umbrella School): null

Frequency
at_grades
At grades
5, 7, 9
Submit to
LEA director of schools (superintendent) and state board of education
Practical tip: Standardized testing is required in grades 5, 7, and 9. Test results must be reported to the director of schools.

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 notify your local school district superintendent annually, teach four core subjects for 180 days at 4 hours per day, and administer standardized testing in grades 5, 7, and 9. The parent-teacher must hold a high school diploma or GED. This is the most common pathway for elementary and middle school families.
  • •
    Independent Home School (Grades 9-12): You notify your local superintendent annually with a proposed curriculum listing specific course names and whether a college preparatory or general course of study will be taught. The parent-teacher must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. You teach 180 days at 4 hours per day. Testing is required only in grade 9. Best for high school families where the parent has a diploma or GED.
  • •
    Church-Related School (Umbrella School): You enroll with a church-related umbrella school (defined in T.C.A. 49-50-801), which handles notification and reporting to the local superintendent on your behalf. The state does not impose specific subject, testing, or instructor credential requirements — those are set by the umbrella school. This is the best option for families where the parent lacks a high school diploma or GED.

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

Never miss a deadline

Our wizard calculates your exact deadlines and sends email reminders so you never miss a filing date.

Get your Tennessee deadlines

Deadlines sourced from T.C.A. 49-6-3050. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026