Tennessee Brick & Mortar Public Schools
Public brick and mortar schools are free to attend, open to all students, and funded by taxpayers.
Tennessee offers public school open enrollment. During the open enrollment period, parents may be able to transfer their child to any public school, regardless of where they live. In some cases, the school districts may charge fees for out-of-district students. Check the school’s open enrollment policies for tuition or fees.
Compulsory Attendance
In Tennessee, children between the ages of 6 and 17 are required to attend school. Kids can start kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before August 15. They must attend either a public or private school, or they must be homeschooled. The law mandates a minimum of 180 days of school attendance per year, with some exceptions. You can learn more about Tennessee’s attendance laws here!
Required Documentation
Tennessee school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact your local school district.
Some legal documents are required for Tennessee students to attend school:
- Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
- Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
- Immunization records (or immunization exemption)
- Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)
School Fees
While public education is primarily free, paying some fees is a part of it. Basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks are expected to be supplied by students. Each district has a list of approved expenditures for students and fee waiver forms can be requested from the school if a family is unable to pay for required materials or events due to a certain situation.
According to TCA 49-2-110(c), payment of fees cannot be a requirement for attending public school in Tennessee. However, local boards of education may authorize some fees, such as those for optional activities during the school day. Families facing financial difficulties can request fee waiver forms from the school for required materials or events.