Everything You Need to Know About Independent Homeschooling in Tennessee
Welcome
At Hidden Bee Learning, we believe parents are the heart of their child’s education. We’re here to encourage, enrich, and add some extra fun to your homeschool experience. You always keep full responsibility and control, just as Tennessee law intends.
Our Programs
We offer group-based programs that make learning more social and hands-on:
- Little Explorers (Preschool): Early academic skills through plenty of play and discovery.
- Pathfinders (Kindergarten and 1st Grade): Early elementary basics, including reading, math, science, and creative arts, all taught through active, engaging projects.
- Trailblazers (Older Children): Enrichment-only for older students. We focus on creative projects and group activities while you handle the main academics at home.
How We Fit With the Law
Families at Hidden Bee Learning are considered independent homeschoolers by the state of Tennessee. Here’s what that means:
- Parents file the Intent to Home School form with Maury County Schools (or your local district) every year.
- You are always the official teacher. All legal responsibilities belong to you.
- We are not a private or umbrella school. We never file your records or paperwork for you. We’re here to add to what you do at home, not take over.
Tennessee Homeschool Law and What You Need to Do
As an independent homeschooler, here’s what’s expected:
- Submit your Intent to Home School form each year before school starts.
- Make sure your child gets at least four hours of instruction each school day, for a total of 180 days in the year. All time at Hidden Bee Learning counts toward this.
- Keep attendance and instructional records and turn those in to your district at the end of the year.
- Hang on to your records for at least three years.
- Have your child take a standardized test in grades 5, 7, and 9. You can use the state test (TNReady) or a nationally recognized test. If scores are low, your district may ask for a remedial plan.
- If you join a state-funded program (like ESA or IEA), you’ll have more paperwork and rules, including using approved curriculum and extra testing. Most of our families do not go this route so they can keep the most freedom.
Our Approach to Curriculum
We pull from several respected programs to match each group’s needs:
- Experience Curriculum (Mother Goose Time)
- Moving Beyond the Page
- Blossom and Root
- Busy Learners
Many of our families are already familiar with these, and you might be using them at home. Everything we do is meant to work with what you’ve already chosen for your homeschool.
The Optional Take-Home Curriculum Package
If you want extra support at home, you can add our take-home curriculum package for $10 per week:
- Your child will get worksheets, projects, and lesson materials for any days they don’t attend in person.
- This way, they won’t miss a thing and can stay right on track.
- For example, if your child comes to class Monday and Tuesday, you’ll get everything for Wednesday, Thursday, and even Friday to use at home.
- You do not have to sign up for this. It’s just one more way to help, and it’s totally up to you. These materials are there to support your home curriculum, not replace it.
What Parents Are Responsible For
- File the Intent to Home School form each year with Maury County Schools.
- Provide four hours of instruction per school day, for 180 days each year. Time at Hidden Bee Learning counts.
- Keep and submit attendance records.
- Keep records for at least three years.
- Make sure your child takes the required tests in grades 5, 7, and 9.
- Decide whether you want the take-home curriculum package.
Here are some helpful links:
If you ever have questions, need help with forms, or just want some encouragement, reach out to us. We’re here to make your homeschool journey a little easier and a lot more fun.