HOW DO I START HOMESCHOOLING?
1. First and most important, you must do a little research. Your research should include finding curriculum that is a good fit for your student and deciding if you want to register with your local board of education or register with an umbrella.
2. As part of your research, talk to others you know who currently homeschool. They can be a wealth of information.
WHAT IS CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY & SATELLITE SCHOOL?
Chestnut Ridge Academy & Satellite School is a Category IV, church-related school (or homeschool umbrella) and has met the standards of membership with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The state of Tennessee requires home-educating families to register with either the local board of education or with a homeschool umbrella. Home-educating parents/guardians may register their children with Chestnut Ridge Academy in order to comply with state law.
Some Services We Provide Include:
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Kindergarten - $25
1st-8th Grade – $85 1st child, $75 2nd child
$65 each additional child registering for K-8th grade
9th – 12th Grade - $95 1st child, $85 each additional child registering for 9th – 12th grade
NOTE: Each family pays for the oldest child first. If the oldest child is in high school, you pay $95. If the second child is in grades 1st-8th grade, the second child fee for that age would be $75.
Registration Fee Cap per family - $225
Graduating Senior Fee- $125 for students who want to walk in the spring graduation ceremony or $60 for students who do NOT wish to walk in the graduation ceremony.
Curriculum costs vary depending on the amount and type of subjects the student will be taking. It’s the parent’s responsibility to purchase the curriculum materials the student requires.
DO WE HAVE TO BUY A COMPUTER?
It depends on what curriculum you go with.
Chestnut Ridge Academy does not provide books or teaching materials. Our program is designed to allow parents/guardians to choose their own teaching materials. Typically, parents can obtain books and teaching materials for one student for about $500 per year in addition to registration with their chosen umbrella. We provide a list of recommended resources. This list is not exhaustive, but can be a good place to start.
We can assist you in finding the curriculum you need. Just contact our office and we will set up an appointment.
HOW SOON CAN WE START HOMESCHOOLING AFTER WE SUBMIT OUR APPLICATION?
It typically takes about 5 days to process an application. For the application to be complete, records must be received from the student’s previous school or umbrella. Once the application is complete, a parent may begin counting days for attendance.
HOW DO I KEEP GRADES?
The parent is responsible to keep track of grades for each subject being taught. At the end of each semester, the grades may be averaged and submitted to Chestnut Ridge through the website or by using the forms provided.
DOES CHESTNUT RIDGE TEST STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
Chestnut Ridge Academy does not require testing.
We offer spring testing, but it is not required.
High school students planning to go to college should take the ACT for the first time in 10th or 11th grade. Our school code for the ACT is 430-076.
WHAT ABOUT GRADUATION?
Students who complete the requirements for graduation will receive a high school diploma. A cap & gown ceremony is scheduled every year in May for students who wish to participate. Some families choose to have private graduation ceremonies for their graduating seniors. The biggest advantage to a private ceremony is that there is no limit on the number of people you can invite. Walking in graduation is not a requirement to receive your diploma.
WHEN CAN WE REGISTER?
Returning families will need to re-register each year before the given deadline. Re-registering after the deadline will result in late fees. Deadlines may vary each year according to the local school calendars. All new registrations, as long as there is not a truancy issue, may enroll any time during the year.
IS CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY ACCREDITED?
Chestnut Ridge Academy is a member of Association of Christian Schools International, and is considered a Category IV (private, parochial) school in Tennessee. Our graduates receive a High School Diploma and many continue their secondary education at colleges and universities. We are NOT a public school or accredited by Tennessee's State Department of Education, but on June 1, 2009, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen approved legislation requiring all state and local government entities to recognize high school diplomas awarded by homeschools and church-related schools in Tennessee Senate Bill 433.
DOES CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY HAVE A CO-OP?
Yes. Our Co-op has just completed its 9th year and we have a full schedule of classes planned for the 2024-25 school year. Co-op classes will meet during the school year. While parents are not required to teach, all parents must contribute to the co-op in some way. They may assist in a class or help with some of the special activities we have planned throughout the year. The idea is that all parents contribute to help keep classes for our children affordable. Parents must be "on campus" while their children are in class. Those who teach may charge a fee to cover costs of materials, but teachers are volunteers and should not expect to make a profit on the classes.
WILL MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BE ELIGIBLE FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT?
Yes. Homeschool students registered with Chestnut Ridge who have completed 10th grade are eligible for dual enrollment courses in the state of Tennessee.
WILL MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENNESSEE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
Yes. Our high school coordinator will guide you through your child's senior year by reminding you of deadlines, important workshops you must attend and FAFSA paperwork.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact us here.
1. First and most important, you must do a little research. Your research should include finding curriculum that is a good fit for your student and deciding if you want to register with your local board of education or register with an umbrella.
2. As part of your research, talk to others you know who currently homeschool. They can be a wealth of information.
WHAT IS CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY & SATELLITE SCHOOL?
Chestnut Ridge Academy & Satellite School is a Category IV, church-related school (or homeschool umbrella) and has met the standards of membership with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The state of Tennessee requires home-educating families to register with either the local board of education or with a homeschool umbrella. Home-educating parents/guardians may register their children with Chestnut Ridge Academy in order to comply with state law.
Some Services We Provide Include:
- Maintenance of all academic records
- Yearly testing grades 3-10
- Coordinators for Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School who will assist families in answering grade level specific questions and will plan grade level specific social and academic activities for families in the umbrella
- Social activities planned locally throughout the year
- Co-op classes for nursery through high school
- Graduation ceremony for graduating high school seniors
- Issuance of state recognized diploma upon completion of graduation requirements
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Kindergarten - $25
1st-8th Grade – $85 1st child, $75 2nd child
$65 each additional child registering for K-8th grade
9th – 12th Grade - $95 1st child, $85 each additional child registering for 9th – 12th grade
NOTE: Each family pays for the oldest child first. If the oldest child is in high school, you pay $95. If the second child is in grades 1st-8th grade, the second child fee for that age would be $75.
Registration Fee Cap per family - $225
Graduating Senior Fee- $125 for students who want to walk in the spring graduation ceremony or $60 for students who do NOT wish to walk in the graduation ceremony.
Curriculum costs vary depending on the amount and type of subjects the student will be taking. It’s the parent’s responsibility to purchase the curriculum materials the student requires.
DO WE HAVE TO BUY A COMPUTER?
It depends on what curriculum you go with.
Chestnut Ridge Academy does not provide books or teaching materials. Our program is designed to allow parents/guardians to choose their own teaching materials. Typically, parents can obtain books and teaching materials for one student for about $500 per year in addition to registration with their chosen umbrella. We provide a list of recommended resources. This list is not exhaustive, but can be a good place to start.
We can assist you in finding the curriculum you need. Just contact our office and we will set up an appointment.
HOW SOON CAN WE START HOMESCHOOLING AFTER WE SUBMIT OUR APPLICATION?
It typically takes about 5 days to process an application. For the application to be complete, records must be received from the student’s previous school or umbrella. Once the application is complete, a parent may begin counting days for attendance.
HOW DO I KEEP GRADES?
The parent is responsible to keep track of grades for each subject being taught. At the end of each semester, the grades may be averaged and submitted to Chestnut Ridge through the website or by using the forms provided.
DOES CHESTNUT RIDGE TEST STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
Chestnut Ridge Academy does not require testing.
We offer spring testing, but it is not required.
High school students planning to go to college should take the ACT for the first time in 10th or 11th grade. Our school code for the ACT is 430-076.
WHAT ABOUT GRADUATION?
Students who complete the requirements for graduation will receive a high school diploma. A cap & gown ceremony is scheduled every year in May for students who wish to participate. Some families choose to have private graduation ceremonies for their graduating seniors. The biggest advantage to a private ceremony is that there is no limit on the number of people you can invite. Walking in graduation is not a requirement to receive your diploma.
WHEN CAN WE REGISTER?
Returning families will need to re-register each year before the given deadline. Re-registering after the deadline will result in late fees. Deadlines may vary each year according to the local school calendars. All new registrations, as long as there is not a truancy issue, may enroll any time during the year.
IS CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY ACCREDITED?
Chestnut Ridge Academy is a member of Association of Christian Schools International, and is considered a Category IV (private, parochial) school in Tennessee. Our graduates receive a High School Diploma and many continue their secondary education at colleges and universities. We are NOT a public school or accredited by Tennessee's State Department of Education, but on June 1, 2009, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen approved legislation requiring all state and local government entities to recognize high school diplomas awarded by homeschools and church-related schools in Tennessee Senate Bill 433.
DOES CHESTNUT RIDGE ACADEMY HAVE A CO-OP?
Yes. Our Co-op has just completed its 9th year and we have a full schedule of classes planned for the 2024-25 school year. Co-op classes will meet during the school year. While parents are not required to teach, all parents must contribute to the co-op in some way. They may assist in a class or help with some of the special activities we have planned throughout the year. The idea is that all parents contribute to help keep classes for our children affordable. Parents must be "on campus" while their children are in class. Those who teach may charge a fee to cover costs of materials, but teachers are volunteers and should not expect to make a profit on the classes.
WILL MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BE ELIGIBLE FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT?
Yes. Homeschool students registered with Chestnut Ridge who have completed 10th grade are eligible for dual enrollment courses in the state of Tennessee.
WILL MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TENNESSEE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
Yes. Our high school coordinator will guide you through your child's senior year by reminding you of deadlines, important workshops you must attend and FAFSA paperwork.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact us here.