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Tennessee homeschool requirements

Last checked October 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Your district or umbrella school has the final say.

Two ways to homeschool

An independent home school registered with your local district, or enrollment in a church-related umbrella school. Umbrella schools set their own record and testing rules.

Independent home school: what you file

An Intent to Home School form to your district before each school year, with proof of your high school diploma and the curriculum you'll use.

Days and hours

4 hours a day for 180 days.

Records

Attendance records, sent to your director of schools at the end of each year.

Testing

Independent home schools test in grades 5, 7 and 9, using the state test or a nationally normed test in English and math given by someone unrelated to your child. Since May 2026, any nationally normed test is allowed and results go to you, your district and the State Board.

Where Gallop fits

Daily records of the minutes your child worked in Gallop can help you fill in your attendance record.

Gallop's Records report prints, for each child and any date range, the days and minutes they worked, the subjects covered, each skill mastered with its date, and sample questions your child answered correctly. Minutes count time in Gallop only, not all of your teaching. Most parents add it to their own records rather than using it as their only record.

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FAQ

I use an umbrella school. Does any of this apply?

Your umbrella school sets its own requirements. Many ask for attendance and grades, and Gallop's report can help you give them what they ask for.

Can I try it first?

Yes. Try 7 sample questions, or start the 7-day free trial. No card needed.

Try 7 sample questionsStart the 7-day free trial

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