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Overview
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is the state’s education authority that oversees and provides all education-related services and information in Tennessee. Even though there are some exceptions, the TDOE requires all legal custodians to enroll minors between the ages of six and 17, both ages inclusive, in either public or nonpublic schools. Since education is a right in the United States, it is not necessary for children to be a citizen or permanent resident to enroll in school.
Important: Please note that this article is based on the latest official information provided by the state and should only serve as a guide.
Understanding the United States School System
School-level education consists of three levels: elementary (K-5 grade), middle (6-8 grade), and secondary (9-12 grade). Schools are usually divided by and specialized in one of these three, making it rare to find an establishment that includes all of them in the same building or campus. So, if you have children in different age groups, they will most likely go to different establishments based on what grade they fall into. In addition, there are different types of schools you can choose from depending on your needs and preferences.
Types of Schools
Public
You do not need to pay to enroll your child in public school, as they are funded by the city, state, and/or federal government. Students are not required to wear uniforms however, depending on the school, you might need to pay for some school supplies or activities.
Depending on where they live, students are assigned to their schools through a process called zoning. This is important to keep in mind when looking to rent or buy a home, as your children will be assigned to the school in that district.
Private
You must pay tuition to attend private schools, which are usually managed by religious organizations. They are not subject to zoning, and their rules might be different from those of public schools, as they are not run by any level of government. Some advantages to private schools include smaller class sizes and a more customized educational experience.
Homeschools
The Tennessee Home School law defines homeschools as: "A school conducted or directed by a parent or parents or a legal guardian or guardians for their children." Tennessee recognizes three types specifically: Independent Home Schools, Church-related Umbrella Schools, and Accredited Online Schools. For further information on each of these, please review Kid Central TN’s website on Home School Education.
Documents for Enrollment
Once you know what school you will be enrolling your child into, you will need to provide some documents to begin the process. We recommend you check in with the school regarding their specific requirements, but generally, you will need:
Certified birth certificate
Evidence of a current medical examination
Official copy of records/transcripts from the most recently attended school
Two (2) proofs of home address (i.e. a rental agreement, current utility bills, or tax statement)
Requirements for public schools in Tennessee may vary by county. Here is what you will need for enrollment in Knox County.
*If you are bringing immunizations from anywhere other than Tennessee, you will need to transfer them through the Knox County Department of Health.
Class and Grade Placement
It is up to the school to decide the grade placement for students who are new to the United States. This might depend on their educational history, time of the year, test results, and/or English level. Children who have already started school abroad are usually placed accordingly but, if you think they were assigned to the wrong grade, you can always talk to the school staff. Specific accommodations can be discussed as well.
Children who are still learning English might be required to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes while taking other level-appropriate classes. For more specific information, please review Knox County’s English Language Learners program.
Public Schools in Knox County
As per the Knox County Schools website, the system has over 60,000 students in 91 schools, with around 7,900 staff. You can find the elementary, middle, and high schools assigned to your district through their School Zone Search.
Before you begin the enrollment process in Knox Country, we recommend you read through these resources:
About Knox County Schools
Transportation to and from school
Click here to directly contact Knox County Schools.
If you are looking for childcare resources, visit our Guide to Childcare in Tennessee and Finding a Program in Knoxville.
For more information and guides, please refer back to the Resource List available in the ISSS website.