Homeschool Sports Eligibility in Tennessee
Yes, to try out. Tennessee law opens public school tryouts to independent home school students who meet the athletic association's eligibility rules, and those rules then decide who plays.
How homeschool participation works
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) explains Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-3050(e) this way: the duty applies where a district's schools belong to a group that regulates interscholastic competition, such as the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), and that group keeps home school requirements. A zoned school that offers sports but belongs to no such group must allow tryouts as well.
Neither rule guarantees a roster spot, and the law leaves the association free to set or change its own home school rules.
TSSAA's bylaw for nontraditional students covers legally registered independent home school students, students in a church-related umbrella school, and students in an accredited online school. It sets the minimum requirements to practice, try out, and play at any level for a member school.
Rules that decide participation
Territory
Your family lives in the member school's territory. For a public school, that is the area and bus routes the local board assigns to it, so your child plays for the zoned school, a system-wide charter or magnet school, or an independent school serving your area.
Notice to the principal
You notify the principal of your child's intent to try out before the first official practice date in the sport.
Academic progress
If your homeschool does not award traditional credits, your child makes enough academic progress each semester to stay on track to graduate four years after starting ninth grade.
Other TSSAA rules
Your child meets every other TSSAA eligibility requirement. At an independent school, the family also pays full tuition, the same amount enrolled students pay.
Before the season
First step
Ask the zoned school's athletic director what the district needs to see, and send the principal your written notice.
What can rule a player out
The district may ask for proof that your child had any health exam its own students need for the activity.
School that fits around the season
Lessons start at your child's level and go wherever practice and travel do. We grade the work as it is submitted and keep the grades and transcript a school or league may ask to see.
$149/month per child after the trial.