Where Hidden Bee Learning Fits
Hidden Bee Learning is a small, classroom based program located at:
Hidden Bee Learning at Hidden Bee Farm
753 Carters Creek Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
We support families who are homeschooling or planning to homeschool by providing part time, small group instruction and enrichment. We are not a private school or umbrella school. Parents stay in charge of the legal side of homeschooling and use our programs as one part of their child’s educational plan.
This page gives a simple overview of the main homeschool options in Tennessee and how a program like Hidden Bee Learning can fit with them. It is for information only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws and policies can change, so always verify current requirements through official sources.
Main homeschooling options in Tennessee
Tennessee recognizes several ways for families to homeschool. Three of the most common are:
1. Independent home school through the local school district
Parents register directly with their local school district as independent homeschoolers. In general, this option usually includes:
- Filing a Notice of Intent to Home School each year with the local school district
- The teaching parent having at least a high school diploma or GED
- Providing at least four hours of instruction per school day for one hundred eighty days each school year
- Keeping attendance and basic academic records
- Participating in required standardized testing in certain grades such as fifth, seventh, and ninth
For current details and exact requirements, families should always check the official Tennessee Department of Education homeschool information:
- Tennessee Department of Education homeschooling information
https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/homeschooling-in-tn.html
Your local district, such as Maury County Schools, may also have its own homeschool information page with forms and deadlines.
2. Church related schools and umbrella schools
Some families choose to enroll with a church related school or umbrella school that oversees their homeschool.
Typical features of this option can include:
- Families enrolling as students of the church related or umbrella school rather than directly with the local public school district
- The umbrella program providing oversight, record keeping, and sometimes curriculum guidelines
- Testing and reporting being handled under the rules of the umbrella school
- Many umbrella schools operating with a faith based approach
For more information about church related and umbrella options in Tennessee, families can look at:
- Tennessee Home Education Association
Search online for Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA) to find statewide information and links to umbrella schools.
Each umbrella school sets its own policies, tuition, and requirements, so families should contact any program they are considering directly.
3. Accredited online schools
Some families use a state approved, accredited online school. In that case:
- The student is enrolled in an online school that is recognized as a school program
- The online school provides instruction, curriculum, testing, and records
- The family may not need to file a separate homeschool intent form because the child is considered enrolled in that program
For this route, families should confirm with the specific online school and local district how enrollment and documentation work.
Tutorials and micro schools like Hidden Bee Learning
Programs like Hidden Bee Learning are not a separate legal homeschool category. Instead, they function as tutorials or micro schools that support families who are homeschooling through one of the options above.
At Hidden Bee Learning, that usually looks like:
- Parents registering as homeschoolers through an independent route or umbrella route if their child is school age
- Children attending our programs part time for small group learning, projects, and enrichment
- Time spent at Hidden Bee counting toward a family’s homeschool instruction time when they are registered as homeschoolers
Parents remain responsible for:
- Choosing and maintaining their legal homeschool option
- Filing any required forms or notices
- Keeping records and submitting anything required to the district or umbrella school
- Making sure their child participates in any required standardized testing
Our role is to provide structure, community, and high quality learning experiences that fit into your homeschool plan, not to replace your legal responsibilities.
For a more detailed explanation of how our programs fit with independent homeschooling, you can also read our Parent Guide page in the Resources section.
Helpful organizations and resources
These organizations provide current information, guidance, and support related to homeschooling in Tennessee:
- Tennessee Department of Education homeschooling information
Official state information on homeschool options and requirements.
https://www.tn.gov/education/school-options/homeschooling-in-tn.html - Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA)
A statewide organization that supports homeschool families and provides information about church related and umbrella schools.
Search online for “Tennessee Home Education Association” or “THEA Tennessee” for their current website and contact information. - HSLDA Tennessee homeschool law information
Homeschool Legal Defense Association provides plain language summaries of Tennessee homeschool law and updates when things change.
https://hslda.org/legal/tennessee
Because laws and policies can change, families should always check these sources directly for current details rather than relying solely on summaries.
If you are just starting and feel overwhelmed
If you are new to homeschooling and all of this feels like a lot, that is normal. A simple way to start is:
- Decide whether you will register as an independent homeschooler with your local district or enroll under an umbrella school.
- Contact your district or chosen umbrella for their specific forms and deadlines.
- Use your child’s age and needs to decide which Hidden Bee program fits best.
- Reach out if you want to talk about how our schedule can support your homeschool plan.
We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but we are happy to share how other families have used our programs within the Tennessee homeschool framework and to point you toward official resources.
📄 Read about the proposed bill
🧾 Resources for Families
- 📚 Tennessee Department of Education – Homeschooling Info
- 🏡 Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA)
- ⚖️ HSLDA – Homeschool Legal Defense Association
