NEW TO HOMESCHOOL
In the Total Homeschool Program, you’re in charge of your child’s education! You choose and obtain the teaching materials, teach the student, and submit grades to us twice a year. We evaluate your plan, keep records, offer advice, provide legal covering for compulsory school attendance, and award diplomas to graduates. We’ll be with you every step of the way!
Homeschooling allows you to teach your children in the best way for them to learn and thrive, and lets you choose their social and learning environment.
Imagine your 1st grader being able to run around between math problems, your middle schooler going on field trips with like-minded families, or your high schooler getting credit for a part-time job!
To begin, just put together an education plan and apply. We’re here to help you get started with everything you need for a successful homeschool adventure.
Cost: Enrollment fees per year are $120 for one student, $20 for each additional student. There are no hidden fees or additional charges. You’ll be prompted to pay by credit or debit card at the end of the online enrollment process. Applications received without payment (or evidence of payment) will be returned. If you have a financial hardship, please contact our office HERE.​​
For more details, continue reading below.
Terms and Conditions
We are a Christian school and homeschooling parents/guardians are our teachers. Families enrolling with Gateway Christian Schools should be Christians, attend church, obey all pertinent laws, adhere to biblical, Christian morality, and conduct themselves in a manner that brings honor to the name of Christ and to our school. We reserve the right to dismiss or refuse enrollment to parents, guardians, or students for any reason we deem sufficient.
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Education Plan
You, as the parent/teacher, will choose and obtain teaching materials appropriate for you and your students, and create an Education Plan. This plan should include the individual subjects (courses) and the curriculum/materials you will use to teach each subject. We’ll review and approve the Education Plan on your application. See our Curriculum Finder HERE for help choosing materials.
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For 1st through 8th grade students, make sure you include at least the 4 basic, core subjects: English/language arts, math, science, and social studies. Feel free to add others. High school students typically need a credit in English/language arts and math each year. To graduate in 4 years, other required courses or electives should be added to equal an average of 5.5 credits per year.
For more details, go to the Pre-K to 8th page HERE or the High School page HERE.
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Curriculum
The most effective education cultivates a love of learning while stimulating an ever-increasing relationship with God. When possible, teaching materials should be practical, real, and interesting. However, they must also accomplish the serious work of preparing children for their responsibilities in life.
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Traditional grade-level materials do not necessarily fit every child or situation. It’s best to meet students where they are in reading levels, math skills, etc. Homeschooling does allow for educational creativity and mid-course adjustments. Please keep us informed of any significant curriculum changes.
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See our Curriculum Finder HERE to explore some options.
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Withdrawing
Schools may count students absent until they receive notification from us. Many consider a student truant after five days of unexcused absences, so prompt application makes for a smoother transition. We recommend giving written notice of withdrawal to the previous school. Click HERE for a sample withdrawal letter.
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How Long Before My Application is Approved?
During peak seasons it can take two weeks or more to process an application. When we receive your online registration, we’ll email a confirmation that we’ve received it, after which a counselor will review your application. Once it is approved, you'll receive another email officially confirming the student's enrollment, and we’ll send an official notification of transfer to the student's previous school using the contact information you provided.
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Truancy
To avoid truancy issues, ensure school-age children are enrolled before local schools are in session. Shortly after the school year begins, Gateway is required to give lists of enrolled students to local school districts (in Tennessee), so it’s important to enroll at the beginning of each school year to make sure your students are accounted for. We recommend that you enroll early (by July 1st) in order to avoid any legal issues.
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School Year Schedule
A school year is 180 school days, typically divided into two 90-day semesters: Fall and Spring. High school students may take a separate set of courses in a summer session. We generally expect Grade/Attendance Reports twice a year, at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.
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As you have school, keep track of your student’s progress (for grades), and the days you do school (for attendance).
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Grades and Attendance
Please submit grades and attendance through the Parent Portal as soon as feasible after the semester is complete (typically January and June), using letter grades. Include the date the semester ended (making sure to end on a weekday).
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(100-93 = A, 92-85 = B, 84-76 = C, 75-70 = D, below 70 = F)
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To submit grades, log into your Parent Portal, click the "Grading & Attendance” tab (“Grades” on a smartphone), and use the dropdown menus to select the correct letter grades. For a visual walkthrough, see our page HERE. If you prefer paper grade reports, please contact our office.