GETTING STARTED
Gateway's Total Home Education program is designed for Christian parents/guardians to teach their own children in the home. For those who wish to enroll in Gateway's Total Home Education Program, it will be necessary to complete an application at the beginning of each school year.
How Much Does it Cost?:
We have fees of $80 per year for the first student, $20 for each additional K-8 student, and $30 for each additional 9-12 student. Note: After September 1, there is a $20 increase per family for late registration. At the end of the registration process you may pay the fees with your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Gateway's Total Home Education Program 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 Gateway. Visit our Sources page for more information on choosing materials.
Avoid Truancy:
To avoid truancy issues, do not leave school-age children un-enrolled when local schools are in session. Gateway is required by state law to submit a list of students enrolled each year. Parents who have not enrolled students by August 1 may be contacted or even receive a visit from the local school system.
Legal Info:
Read relevant state laws and Constitution to be aware of limitations/responsibilities. You can read information on relevant TN laws and Constitution here.
Church Attendance:
Because Gateway is a private, Christian school, we require our teachers (a.k.a. parent/guardians) to be Christians and to assemble together with other members of the body of Christ on a regular basis.
Educational Plan:
About 10% of the applications received at Gateway are sent back to the family because of inadequate or incomplete educational plans. Please be aware that you must choose your materials for teaching before you register with Gateway. This information must be listed on the Educational Plan page attached to the application.
Marital Status and Educational Background:
Fill out this section with the information for the enrolling parents/guardians.
Withdrawing from the Previous School
Typically, it takes about two weeks to process an application once it has been received at Gateway. We, however, consider the student enrolled on the date that we receive the application with educational plan -- as long as everything is filled out correctly and the student is eligible to enroll at Gateway (not an adult student, etc.). We recommend that you make sure that Gateway has received the application and processed it before you withdraw the student. (For emergency processing procedure, please contact our office at: (901) 454-1606.) We also recommend that you give written notice of withdrawal to the previous school after Gateway has received the application. Click here for a sample withdrawal letter. Make sure to keep a copy of your withdrawal letter for yourself when you send the letter to the school by certified mail. Please be aware that most public school systems consider a student truant after 5 days of unexcused absences. Schools sometimes count students absent until they receive the official record request from Gateway. We send this when we process the application and enroll the student. The Tennessee Statute, however, provides 30 days for a parent to register with another program. Click here to read the section of the Tennessee statute that gives this provision. [Section 49-6-3001 (c)(4)]