Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in Tennessee.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in Tennessee.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
Eclectic Homeschoolers of Middle Tennessee
This is an inclusive group of homeschoolers offering support, information, meetings, park days, and more.
Anderson County Christian Homeschool Association (ACCHA)
This support group serves homeschoolers in Anderson County. It has an email list to facilitate communication.
Memphis Area Home Education Association (MAHE)
MHEA is a Christian organization dedicated to serving home educators by providing support, encouragement and assistance, advancing home schooling, and helping to safeguard and promote parental authority in education. They monitor legislation, lobby for the homeschool community, and act as a liaison between homeschoolers and public officials. They also sponsor a high school graduation, sports programs, cheerleading, honor society, field day, a science fair, and a senior high banquet.
East Tennessee Secular Homeschoolers (ETSH)
This group is for parents in East Tennessee who wish to homeschool/unschool their children with a secular approach.
Ebony Homeschoolers
Located in Memphis, Tennessee, Ebony Homeschoolers is a Christian homeschool support fellowship established to strengthen and encourage the African-American homeschooling family.
Nashville-Area Parent-Led Education Network (NAPLEN)
NAPLEN is a network of parents, in Nashville and its surrounding areas, who have accepted the primary responsibility for the schooling of their children and who are dedicated to pursuing the best educational practices to foster each child's individual learning potential. They offer monthly meetings, regular field trips, group collaborative learning days, and more.
Memphis Homeschool Internet Support (MHIS)
This is a Christian email group serving families in the Memphis/Shelby County area. Here you'll find field trip ideas, help with teaching, the opportunity to buy and sell curriculum, fellowship, support, and more.
Smoky Mountain Home Education Association (SMHEA)
The Smoky Mountain Home Education Association (SMHEA) is a Christian led, non-profit service organization with membership open to all. They seek to promote home education by providing information and vital resources to all area home schoolers.
Homeschool Hideout
This local e-mail support lists serves homeschoolers in Tipton County and the surrounding areas. Members plan and post field trips, swap resources, share prayer requests, ideas, questions, and encouragment.
Tennessee Homeschool Umbrella Schools
According to the Tennessee education code, homeschoolers have three ways to follow Tennessee homeschool laws. The most popular of these options with homeschool families is to enroll their child in a church-related umbrella school. These schools are operated by denominational, parochial or other church organizations and are required to meet specific standards of accreditation. Umbrella schools in Tennessee are free to choose their own operational procedures. Each school will vary on curriculum op...
HomeLife Academy
HomeLife Academy offers services to homeschooling families with students in all grade levels. Customize your own educational plan, get support with record keeping, and more.
Tn-homeschooling
Email list for parents who homeschool their children in Tennessee.
NETHEA Leaders Group
This group is being designed as a resource/support list for leaders of any homeschool groups within the northeast Tennessee region. One of the main purposes of forming this group is so that you can receive information of events or opportunities for homeschoolers in our region and pass that information on to your own particular local support group.
HOPE@Home (Helping Other Parents Educate at Home): Clarksville Area Homeschoolers
This is a homeschool support group for home educating families in the Clarksville, Tennessee area.
Chattanooga Catholic Home Schoolers
Chattanooga Catholic Home Schoolers is dedicated to authentic Catholic education in the home environment. CCHS serves as a support group to encourage and enhance the ability of families to home school their children in the Catholic Faith. Offers service projects, family events, girls' and boys' clubs, activities, and more.
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