Memphis Area Homeschooling Resources | Homeschooling in Memphis

From Sally: It is my dream to (still) someday homeschool – I love the flexibility it offers the family schedule and the freedom of what to study!

From Suzanne: Before I became a mom I thought about homeschooling, thinking it would be a good alternative to private school if I were unhappy with the public school options.  Then I had a child. Wow. Hats off to all of the homeschooling families out there. I don’t think I could do it!

If you’re considering a homeschool education I encourage you to join one of these groups to learn more.  I’ve always know homeschooling families to be very open to sharing information and wanting to support other families in their education decisions. And check out Homeschool Roster, a local homeschooling blog with events and more.

Here are some local groups and activities available to homeschooling families.  Please add your reviews and additional information via a comment.

From a commenter:

If you’re going through a state recognized umbrella school, you’re not required to report anything to the board. But if you’re registering as independent, then you need to contact the homeschool coordinators: Tommie McCarter (901-473-2772) or Doris Rice (901-473-2782). If you’re in a municipal district, you’ll need to find the coordinator for your municipality.

Support Groups and Classes 

CommUnity
A group offering classes for homeschoolers in grades 1-12. There are fees for classes and supplies

‎Homeschoolers of Memphis eclectic
No fee to join, members plan activities and share their expertise. A secular group.

Memphis-Area Home Education Association (MAHEA)
A Christian organization that organizes events and sports, lobbies the state legislature and a monthly newsletter. $35/year (per family)

Ebony Homeschoolers
A Christian group providing information and encouragement to the African American homeschooling community. MAHEA membership required.

Latino Memphis Homeschool
Support and activities for bilingual homeschool families.

Blessed Sacrament Homeschool Group
A Catholic group supporting the greater Memphis area.

Classical Conversations
Group classes held at various area churches

Veritas Classical Schools
A Christian organization providing classes and supplies – kids go to classes a couple times per week.

Tennessee Virtual Academy
An online public school authorized by the Union County School District.  Students can take one or two classes while continuing to go to a traditional “brick-and-mortar” school or an entire curriculum.

In The Loop
A Memphis homeschool support group focused on general support of the homeschooling family – not specific to any religion or race.

Renewed Moms Ministry
Enrichment classes and bible study

Homeschool Mom’s Network
Bartlett Baptist Church
Networking meeting and potluck mom’s dinner on the 4th Monday of every month at 6:30pm

Charlotte Mason Memphis
A Facebook group for those using Charlotte Mason in Memphis can share ideas and experiences. This group is only open to families in the West Tennessee, Northern Mississippi area.

Bartlett Wolfchase Homeschool Support Group
a Christian support group open to anyone who is currently homeschooling grades Kindergarten and up.

Memphis Area Homeschool Buzz
A Facebook group. Posts include: home school team tryouts, sports offerings, support group information, home school days at local venues, curriculum questions, curriculum for sale…and more.

Homeschooling in Tennessee
Website with lots of resources.

Wild + Free Homeshoolers of Memphis
A group of homeschooling mamas living in the Memphis,TN area who subscribe to the ‘Wild & Free’ movement.

Area Homeschooler Activities

Various area museums have planned activities specifically for homeschoolers. Here are some, check the Stuff to Do page for a more complete list of area museums and more:

• Brooks Museum
• Pink Palace
• Morton Museum of Collierville
• Farm Park in Germantown
• Germantown Community Theater
• Easel Town art classes
• Memphis Nighthawks football, grades 5-12
• Gifted Athletes Homeschool Physical Education Class. We teach agility, balance and coordination. k-12 grade. We meet in Cordova. Contact for more information salruv7@gmail.com
• Bellevue School of Performing Arts

Umbrella Schools

Gateway

• I’m a single parent mom that homeschools two hyperactive, attention deficit super smart children. Contact Gateway 901-454-9958. They are in Memphis, Tn, Oakland,Tn, Ripley,Tn & Paris, Tn and HornLake,Ms / Southaven, Ms area (by Delta Tech),and Sardis, Ms. My information is close but may not be exact. They have 3 programs. TOTAL HOME-$70 a year but the fees go down with multiple students. You keep up with your records and are responsible for testing and grading. You bring records up to the school twice a year. You can buy a full complete curriculum like Easy Peasy Homeschool (actually this is free) or any Alpha Omega Life Pack, Weaver, Switched on Schoolhouse, Monarch. EXTENSION- I believe it is $75 annual fee then $80 per student if fees haven’t increased. Which means the child is at home with you and you can bring them up there to there building to get tutoring and testing once a week. Then there is CAMPUS SCHOOL maybe $200 per child probably less. There is a teacher that will teach for you classes are from 8am-2pm Mon-Thursday however Friday they get out at 12 pm.
• I graduated from Gateway and my transcript was accepted at Southwest Community College and University of Memphis.
• Hi Kia I know you said you are a single busy parent but gateway homeschool program is great I recommend it a lot my daughter is homeschooled through there.
• I homeschooled my 15-year-old last year at gateway. We choose to teach her at home. Then 1day a week she would go take her tests. Feel free to contact me. I have lots of info that I learned the hard way and would love to pass along.
• Gateway is NOT accredited by the state of Tennessee. As a result, if your child transfers from gateway to a TN school he or she will be required to test to establish proficiency in each area for which gateway has given credit. Some districts may simply choose not to recognize those credits. Gateway says on its website it has no interest in being accredited by the state. Choose home schooling programs carefully because they will affect your child for life.

Faith Heritage

• Faith Heritage Christian Academy provides an array of service to home schooled families to help them in their homeschooling efforts. FHCA is a state-recognized, Category 2 full-accredited private school, maintaining memberships in TANAS (Tennessee Association of Non-public Academic Schools) and TACS (Tennessee Associate of Christian Schools). FHCA combines the accountability, resources, and support of private schooling with the parental involvement and flexibility of home education. This option is the perfect choice for families who believe in the value of home schooling.

HomeLife Academy

• HomeLife Academy is a non-traditional K-12 private school and ministry that was founded to give homeschoolers and their parents educational access and support from anywhere in the world. We allow parents to teach what they want, on their own schedule and in a style appropriate for their child.

Obridge Academy

• Obridge Academy is an accredited online secondary school that offers online courses for high/middle school students. In addition to ‘core’ courses, Obridge offers a full pallet of electives that are both interesting and challenging. At Obridge you will also be able to take courses that are approved for college credit. These courses will challenge you to perform at a level that is exactly attending regular college classes. Online classes, by their very nature, prepare you to be more independent and more focused on your learning.