***Please note that this information is constantly changing. Please check the individual websites for updated information.***
For many reasons, homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but it can be for anyone. If it is something you are considering, but issues holding you back are the stigma of “socialization,” uncertainty in your abilities, or truly anything, just know that you don’t have to go it alone. (Also, be sure to read Lindsay’s Mythbusters: Homeschool Edition.)
We are very fortunate to have an abundance of co-op and extra-curricular opportunities right in our backyard!
As with everything, it’s important to do your research to decide which option is the best fit for you and your family. The co-ops listed below range from extremely casual to very structured. Some meet once a week, others up to three times per week. Some provide the curriculum and syllabi, while others meet for a purely social nature. You can find as much or as little support as you desire, but one thing is for certain, your family will not lack opportunities!
Co-ops:
Alcoa Maryville Church of God
Classes are offered from 9:30am to 4:00pm. You may choose to take as few or as many classes as desired. The classes range from art to dance to Spanish and more.
Adventure Homeschoolers of East Tennessee
Adventure Homeschoolers of East Tennessee meets twice a month (one Tuesday, one Thursday) from 10:00am to 3:00pm. They also take several fun field trips.
Bezalel Fine Arts Co-op–Grades K-12
Bezalel is an arts focused co-op in Louisville, TN. Classes include various dance styles, pageantry, musical instruments, art, theater, film and world languages.
Blount Home Education Assocation (BHEA)
The mission is to provide support, information and encouragement to homeschooling families in Blount and surrounding counties. In addition to enrichment programs, BHEA also sponsors various clubs, field trips, high school awards and honors, and other activities throughout the school year. A wide variety of social events are also held.
Cedar Springs Homeschool Group
The Cedar Springs Homeschool Group provides monthly meetings and activities for homeschool families. The group meets regularly at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.
Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations focuses on Christianity, community, and classical education. There are several Classical Conversations Co-ops in the area that meet on different days and times.
Cornerstone Cooperative
This volunteer-run homeschooling group that offers a tiered membership structure to the greater East Tennessee homeschool community. Cornerstone Cooperative provides opportunities for homeschoolers in the area to participate in a way that best fits their family. The Social Membership provides opportunity for participation in activities and events, as well as online support and connection, and the Full Membership provides all of the above as well as a weekly in-person co-op day to participate in classes in Maryville, TN. Cornerstone is designed to enrich your homeschooling, not replace your homeschooling at home.
Covenant Christian School
CCS Traditional School runs from 9:30am to 1:30pm Tuesday through Thursday with morning and afternoon programs available. Mondays and Fridays are reserved for Co-Op days and special event days. CCS Knoxville is unique in its approach to education by offering Learning Style Pathways where the family can choose which learning environment is best for their student.
Crossroads Christian Academy
Crossroads Christian Academy meets three days a week, with lesson plans to complete at home two days a week. It is located in Lenoir City, PreK-12th grade.
Discovery Co-op
Discovery Co-op offers classes for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. They meet on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 2:00pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
EDGE Co-op
Edge is a Christian homeschool cooperative that meets on Tuesdays at Seymour Heights Christian Church.
Forever Family Homeschoolers
Classes at all grade levels, infant through 12th grade, are offered. Weekly meetings on Fridays. Cost is $135.00 per family for the year. FFH offers social events, mom’s night out, field day, and field trips for our students, and hosts a monthly 4H club that is open to the public.
Freedom Home Educators Co-op
Freedom Home Educators meets on Mondays from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the Farragut Church of Christ. Classes are offered for preschool to 12th grade.
Friday U
Friday U at Oak Grove offers a variety of enrichment courses on Friday afternoons.
Greenback Co-op
The mission of this co-op is to provide an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere for like-minded mothers to assist and encourage one another in our homeschooling endeavor. It is our goal to come together for the training and equipping of our children with a Christian worldview, to live for the glory of Jesus Christ, and to excel academically. We meet at The First Presbyterian Church in Greenback on Tuesdays. Our classes are chosen based on our students’ needs and teachers’ gifts/interests. Each year offers something new and exciting. Some of our favorite curricula includes Apologia, IEW, Beautiful Feet Books, Simply Charlotte Mason. We are not a drop-off co-op. All moms teach or assist in some way. Classes are essentially free. We are a Christian group with a statement to faith, rules, and a mission statement. Contact Nikki Ramsey (865) 748-1100.
Heart Christian Academy
Junior Kindergarten-8th grade students spend two days of each week in grade-level classes at one of our campus locations. Using Heart Academy’s curriculum lists, the mentor teacher for each grade creates lesson plans for use both at home and on campus. These tools give parents the confidence to act as their children’s primary instructor, teaching at home the other three days of the week. In this unique program, the parent-teacher and the on-campus mentor teacher work as a team to provide a multi-faceted learning experience.
Holston Homeschool Co-op
Holston Co-op meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm for preschool through 12th grade.
Master’s Mondays Homeschool Co-op
Master’s Monday offers classes for middle and high school students on Mondays at West Park Baptist Church.
Oak Grove Cooperative
Students in grades TK-8 attend Oak Grove co-op every other day (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) with the option of Friday mornings and Friday U afternoon enrichment. All students follow a syllabus at school and at home with flexibility for further enrichment.
Paideia Academy
In addition to offering an umbrella program, Paideia Academy offers students in grades kindergarten through third grade a “university schedule” option in which they attend school three days per week and complete work at home on the other days.
Quest Academy
Quest Academy strives to offer “the best from traditional public school educational experience and combine it with the advantages of home educating.” They meet on Tuesdays in Lenoir City.
River’s Edge Christian Academy
At River’s Edge Christian Academy, students receive classroom instruction three days a week, and home education two days a week. There are three Knoxville area locations.
SailAway Homeschool
A wide range of home school services are offered including micro school, homeschool umbrella, academic assessments and curriculum information.
Trinity Christian Academy
Trinity Christian academy offers classes for preschool to 12th grade on Mondays in North Knoxville.
Truth Trekkers
Truth Trekkers offers a variety of academic and enrichment electives. They meet on Mondays from 9:00am to 4:00pm in Fountain City.
Extracurricular Activities:
Ambassadors Athletics
Knoxville Ambassadors offers competitive team sports for middle and high school homeschool students.
American Museum of Science & Energy Homeschool Classes
AMSE offers innovative enrichment courses on Fridays throughout the school year. You can sign up for individual classes.
Bricks 4 Kidz Lego Classes
Bricks 4 Kidz offers a variety of STEAM homeschool classes throughout the week for grades kindergarten through eigth grade.
Eun’s Martial Arts
Eun’s Martial Arts offers homeschool classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
GymTek Academy
GymTek Academy offers homeschool gymnastics on Mondays through Thursdays at noon, 1:00pm and 2:00pm each day.
Ice Chalet
The Ice Chalet offers homeschool ice-skating on Thursdays.
Knoxville Christian Youth Band
Knoxville Christian Youth Band offers musical education for homeschool, private, and public students fifth through 12th grade.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture Homeschool Classes
The McClung Museum offers unique courses covering a different topic each month on Mondays throughout the school year. See their website for up-to-date scheduling options.
Premier Athletics Gymnastics Homeschool Classes
Premier Athletics offers homeschool gymnastics classes on Wednesdays at 11:45am.
Ijams Homeschool Nature Ed-ventures
Ijams homeschool classes meet once a month on Fridays throughout the school year. You can choose mornings or afternoons.
Onsight Rock Gym
Onsight Rock Gym offers homeschoolers a climbing academy on Wednesdays, a climbing club on Tuesdays, and discounted climb days every other Thursday for ages six and up.
Prime Aquatics Homeschool Swim Program
Prime Aquatics offers swimming lessons and fitness classes Monday through Thursday for ages three to 18 at 2:00pm and 2:45pm.
YMCA Homeschool Gym and Swim
The YMCAs of Knoxville offer two-hour swim and gym classes for students ages five to 12. Visit the website to find the best location and schedule for you.
Zoo Knoxville Homeschool Classes
Zoo Knoxville offers weekly (Tuesday/Wednesday) and monthly (Thursday) homeschool classes for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Check it out!
Please be sure to share any other homeschool co-op or extra-curricular activities below so we can add them to the list!
More Knoxville Moms posts on homeschooling:
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool
A Welcome Letter to New Homeschool Parents
So You Think You Want to Homeschool
What is the Best School Choice for My Kids?
CEEC or Christian Education Enrichment Co-op is a Christian College Prep, High School only Co-op (with a few classes available to 8th graders) that Meets Fridays in Fountain City. Classes are taught from a Biblical worldview. Parent involvement requirement. CEEC has been around for 30 years. https://www.ceechomeschoolco-op.com/
Teach Me Truth Christian School
Meets 3X per week in person for this mostly drop-off program and offers online course as well.
Need a break? We’ve got you covered for homeschooling this year! We provide both in-person and online classes meeting all of the school board requirements. Affiliated with A.C.E. we are a Christian church related school. We do not require a statement of faith and are open all Christian denominations. We have worked very hard to keep prices low as it is our mission to afford Christian schooling to as many children as possible, not just for the rich. Depending on the number of enrolled students, at least one paid tutor will be present during the in-person school days as well as at least one parent/grandparent volunteer. Parents will rotate volunteer days in order to get as much of a break as possible. The parent teacher assistant volunteer schedule will be available in advance to allow parents to plan accordingly.
We have been going to Thursday Connection Homeschool Co-op for 2 years now and love it! I’d love for you to add it to the list. It goes from 8-4:30pm, and you can choose the classes you want your child to take. Your cost will depend on how many classes you pick. We’ve been very impressed with the teachers and everyone there. https://www.homeschool-life.com/2558/