Will I be “legal”if I enroll with SailAway?
Yes, SailAway is a Category IV institution licensed under TANAS, the TN Association of Non-public Academic Schools. We also notify the appropriate county office that your student is registered with us.
Is SailAway accredited?
A full explanation of why SailAway Academy and all Tennessee umbrella schools are exempt from accreditation may be found here.
Why does SailAway require an email address?
This is the primary method of communication between SailAway and our homeschoolers. You are responsible to check for email communications from us periodically.
Does SailAway provide curriculum or online classes?
No. Textbooks and resources are NOT included in your enrollment. Curricula, books, tutoring, classes, field trips, assessments, evaluations, and any other educational resources are the parent’s responsibility.
How many days and hours is a school year?
Tennessee law requires instruction for a minimum of 6.5 hours/day, 180 days/year. This instruction does not have to look like bookwork at a desk! Instruction time includes, field trips, games, activities, or any other instance where your child is participating and learning!
What are the semester parameters?
Fall semester: July 1 – December 31
Spring semester: January 1 – May 31
We take the month of June as an admistrative month but you can choose to continue learning. If your student is schooled in June, count it on the Fall semester grading period.
What does SailAway require from homeschoolers during a given academic year?
Students must be re-enrolled each year, tuition & fees paid, grades and attendance submitted twice a year via our software.
Does SailAway require testing?
No! We allow parents the freedom to choose whether or not they want to test their student.
How do I request a transcript, driver’s license form, or proof of enrollment?
Documents are requested via call, text, or email to the office. 865-376-7005, records@sailawaylearning.com
The Senior Fee for high schoolers includes two (2) transcripts. Additional transcripts will be charged a $20.00 fee per request.
What does my high schooler need to graduate?
SailAway’s “Road to Graduation” can be found here.
How do I know my high schooler is on track to graduate?
You may request a Transcript Evaluation via email to the office. Your grades and attendance must be up-to-date for our office to provide this evaluation.
What counts as a high school credit?
Traditional Credit
A traditional credit equals 150 hours of instruction over 180 days, generally based on:
● 5 classes per week X 50 minutes per class
Block-Scheduled Credit
A block-scheduled credit equals 150 hours of instruction over 90 days, generally based on:
● 5 classes per week X 1 hour and 40 minutes per class
If we enroll with SailAway, can my student dual enroll? Use a tutorial? Be a 5th year senior? Study year-round?
The answer to all of these questions is YES!
Can I hire a tutor or use co-op or online classes?
YES! Tennessee law allows for all of these options. It simply states that parents must oversee their child’s education.
Can I have my child’s grandparent teach him?
YES! The law allows for this, too!
Where can I find recommendations for books or online classes?
Check out the section in the “Quick Start Guide To Homeschooling” you received upon enrollment. Of course, you can always email your questions to homeschool@sailawaylearning.com, too.
I’m afraid my child might have some learning problems…can you help?
We would LOVE to help! Please go to the evaluations section of this website to see what we have to offer, and then give us a call! SailAway is unique in that we do our evaluations one-on-one in a non-threatening manner (no timed fill in the bubble tests!). When the results are in, we meet with the parent to discuss the results AND make sure you understand HOW to teach this particular child. We can recommend both methods and curriculum that will work well for him.