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:
Adventure Homeschoolers of East Tennessee
Adventure Homeschoolers of East Tennessee meets twice a month (one Tuesday, one Thursday) from 10am-3pm. 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.
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.
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 k-8. They meet on Wednesdays from 9:30-2 at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
EDGE Co-op
Edge is a Christian homeschool cooperative that meets on Tuesdays at Seymour Heights Christian Church.
Freedom Home Educators Co-op
Freedom Home Educators meets on Mondays from 8:30am-3pm at the Farragut Church of Christ. Classes are offered for preschool-12th grade.
Friday U
Friday U at Oak Grove offers a variety of enrichment courses on Friday afternoons.
Funtastic Fridays
Funtastic Fridays offers enrichment courses for ages preK-12th on Fridays from 9am-3pm at Broadway Baptist Church.
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.
Holston Homeschool Co-op
Holston Co-op meets on Wednesdays from 10am-4pm for preschool-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.
North Lenoir Co-op
North Lenoir Co-op offers enrichment classes for grades k-5 on Mondays at North Lenoir Church of God.
Oak Grove Cooperative
Students in grades TK-8 attend Oak Grove co-op every other day (M/W or T/R) 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 k-3 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.
Thursday Connection
Thursday Connection offers academic and enrichment electives from 8:30-4:30pm on Thursdays at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church for k-12 grades.
Trinity Christian Academy
Trinity Christian academy offers classes for Preschool-12th grade on Mondays in North Knoxville.
Truth Trekkers
Truth Trekkers offers a variety of academic and enrichment electives. They meet on Mondays from 9am-4pm 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 k-8.
Eun’s Martial Arts
Eurn’s Martial Arts offers homeschool classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
GymTek Academy Gymnastics
GymTek Academy offers homeschool gymnastics on Mondays-Thursdays at noon, 1pm and 2pm each day.
Ice Chalet
The Ice Chalet offers homeschool ice-skating on Thursdays.
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.
The Muse Knoxville Homeschool Classes
The Muse Knoxville offers homeschool classes on Tuesday afternoons. You can register for the entire semester or choose a la carte on their website.
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-Thursday for ages 3-18 at 2:00 and 2:45.
YMCA Homeschool Gym and Swim
The YMCAs of Knoxville offer two-hour swim and gym classes for students ages 5-12. 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 k-8th grade. Check it out!
This list is awesome!!!!
Thank you! Glad to help <3
Very well written and comprehensive! Thank you!
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful!
We have started a new homeschool
Co op. You may want to add to
Your list next year.
St. Benedict Catholic Co-op
At sacred heart Cathedral school:)
Mena, Thank you so much. Can you please send us more details (date, time, website) so that we can add it to the list? I didn’t see anything on the Sacred Heart Cathedral website.
Lucas Lepri Brazillion Jui Jitsu offers homeschool programs. He’s in Knoxville. I have his contact info, website, and schedule if you would like to add it:-) Thanks so much for this list!!!!
Yes, Alecia, please send us the info so we can add it.
Holston co-op meets at Holston Baptist Church on Wednesday from 10-4. Offers preschool through 12 grade classes. All teachers are background checked and most are cpr/first aid certified.
Added! Thank you!
Please publicize this to your homeschool community.
The Division for Planetary Science of the American Astronomical Society is hosting a FREE STEM Outreach Event in Space Science on Thursday, October 25th from 12:00pm-1:30pm at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Groups and individual families can sign up at https://aas.org/dpsstudents
There are a limited number of spots, so sign up soon.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations and speak with world famous scientists at the forefront of research. Students will gain knowledge of black holes, pulsars, ultraviolet light, space telescopes, search for exoplanets, ground based radio telescopes and so much more! They will leave with a desire to pursue their interests and the resources to make it happen. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with scientists from NASA, national observatories, prestigious universities, acclaimed laboratories and companies on the cutting edge of discovery.
Read about the success of this program in other cities at http://aas.org/meetings/aas227/epo_article
Please help spread the word about this amazing event.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to make a reservation.
Debbie Kovalsky, Director of Exhibits | 202-328-2010 x110
https://www.facebook.com/a2knoxville/
For those who have been asking about our classes for 2019-2020, check out our latest post on our Facebook page.
Sign ups for Axis Academy’s (A2) Tuesday Classes begin on April 1! Like our page to be the first to get information and updates.
This year, we are offering small, hands-on, participation driven classes in North Knoxville for the classes that get requested the most — with that special A2 twist of creativity and fun.
Classes include Scratch, Intro to Programmable Robotics, Home Economics, Mystery of History featuring “BCTV” (be the star, writer, or director of one of our ancient history videos!), Algebra Lab and Basic Composition Writing Lab.
Our group allows “drop off” of students with no volunteer hour requirements – just a snack day donation, once a semester.
Stay tuned for more information about A2 in 2019-2020!