Public Virtual Schools

In Tennessee, public virtual schools are public schools that use technology to deliver a significant portion of instruction to students via the internet in a virtual or remote setting. These schools are established, operated, and overseen by public school districts, known as Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Public virtual schools are held to the same rigorous standards and accountability measures as other public schools in Tennessee. Students enrolled in public virtual schools are assessed against the same academic standards as those in traditional public school settings.

More than 50 LEAs in Tennessee offer public virtual school options. Some of these LEAs provide virtual schooling exclusively to students residing within their geographic boundaries, while others allow students from any county in Tennessee to enroll, provided they meet the school's admission criteria. Enrollment processes and deadlines vary among these schools, so it is important to visit each virtual school's website or contact them directly for specific registration information. The Tennessee Department of Education maintains a comprehensive public virtual school list to help families find options that best meet their educational needs.

If you have questions related to public virtual schools in Tennessee, please contact Virtual.Schools@tn.gov

 

List of Public Virtual Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Laws/Rules/Policies

Opening or Changing a Virtual School

Note: Please review the quick reference guide for opening or expanding a virtual school before completing the program and school authorization form (PSAF). Improperly completed PSAF forms will be returned for correction.
 

Guidance and Trainings 

This guidance addresses frequently asked questions related to virtual education and examines different statutory and regulatory requirements related to virtual schools and virtual education programs that operate in Tennessee.

Slide Deck: Virtual Education Guidance Webinar Slide Deck

Video Recording of Webinar: Virtual Education Guidance Webinar Recording

The department has created a virtual school monitoring framework to provide districts with a structure by which to monitor their virtual school’s efficacy, legal compliance, and operational practices. Through the monitoring process, districts will collaborate with their authorized virtual schools to reflect on practices that drive positive academic and operational outcomes for all students.  

Districts that operate virtual schools may access the Virtual School Monitoring Framework in ePlan. The framework consists of two documents located within the district's ePlan document library. The framework provides an overview of the monitoring requirements, the monitoring process, and a template by which districts must capture and report monitoring findings. Districts that operate virtual schools are statutorily required to complete an annual virtual school monitoring cycle utilizing this framework; the monitoring cycle begins each year on July 1 and ends on December 15. 

LEA Virtual School Monitoring Tool - PDF | DOC

Virtual School Monitoring Report Template - PDF | DOC

Virtual School Monitoring Manual – PDF 

Virtual School Monitoring Slide Deck – PDF

Virtual School Monitoring Webinar – VIDEO

The department has created the following guidance document and sample memorandum of understanding to assist LEAs in their endeavor to offer virtual education opportunities to suspended or expelled students.

Virtual Instruction for Students within an Alternative Education Program

Virtual Education Report