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Withdrawing from school to homeschool in Tennessee

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in Tennessee, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Tennessee's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what Tennessee asks of a new homeschool. Any time in the first year: File an Intent to Home School form with your local school district, with proof of the parent-teacher's high school diploma or equivalency. The state's form: Intent to Home School form (your local school district).Source: Tennessee Department of Education: Home School; Tennessee Department of Education: Independent Home School Requirements (revised June 2026)
  2. Tell the school. We did not find a Tennessee rule on how to tell the school. A short dated letter, with a copy kept, gives you a record of the day your child left.
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. Attendance records go to the director of schools (or the district's home school coordinator) at the end of each school year, and the local director of schools can inspect them at any time. The parent-teacher creates and keeps grades and transcripts. Proof of vaccination is not required to register.Source: Tennessee Department of Education: Independent Home School Requirements (revised June 2026)

What Tennessee's law or education agency says about leaving school

Parents may withdraw a child from public school and register as an independent home school at any point in the school year by filing the Intent to Home School form.Source: Tennessee Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions for Home School (revised June 2026)

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of Tennessee.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Tennessee; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.