Academics

Homeschool

CAK Homeschool Option

Are you interested in working with an umbrella school that provides you with one-on-one personal support and offers the structured organization and accountability of a school at the same time?

In 1988, CAK Homeschool was established to give homeschooling families the advantage of a private school association while maintaining the curricular freedom inherent in homeschooling. We provide the documentation needed to comply with the Tennessee state homeschooling laws, and our policies also reflect the excellence that bears the Christian Academy of Knoxville name.

If you are interested in CAK's homeschool umbrella, reach out to Heather Wilson at: 
Cell: 865-696-0530
homeschool@cakmail.org
We are still accepting applications throughout the fall until January 15 for the 2026-2027 school year.  We will be accepting applications for Kindergarten through 10th grade.  Please do not withdraw your student from their current school until you have completed our application process, which can take up to a week.

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  • Important Info for 11th & 12th Grade Applicants

    If your student is entering 11th or 12th grade, please contact our Homeschool Office at homeschool@cakmail.org before applying.

    Due to Bible graduation requirements, upperclassmen transfers may not be eligible if the required credits cannot be completed prior to graduation. We are happy to review transcripts and discuss your student’s situation before you submit the $50 application.

    We are currently able to accept many students transferring from Maryville Christian’s umbrella program, Catholic schools, RECA, and similar programs with Bible coursework already completed.

    Students in K–10th grade may apply directly without prior consultation.

    To inquire, please click HERE and choose HOMESCHOOL as your program.

  • K-8 Program Cost

    $110 per student each school year.
    $100 per student when three or more students are in a family (must pay by check).
    $125 per student after August 1st for the school year (must pay by check).
    $62.50 student fee for the Spring Transfers only.
    $50 per family, one-time application fee, payable when applying.

  • High School Program Cost

    $250 per student each school year (no discounts on High School enrollment).
    $50 per family, one-time application fee, payable when applying.
    $300 per student after August 1st for the school year (must pay by check).
    $150 student fee for the Spring Transfers only.
    $125 Graduation Ceremony Fee (Walking is optional).
    $75 Senior Fee (required for all graduates).

  • Important Info about Accommodations

    CAK Homeschool has an accommodations coordinator who can write Student Learning Plans (SLPs) for grades K-12.  Our program supports accommodations but not modifications.  We are an umbrella school that provides graduates with traditional diplomas, not modified diplomas. If your student currently has an IEP/504 in their school, you may submit it to homeschool@cakmail.org before applying if you are concerned that learning differences will keep your students from getting a traditional diploma. 
     
    If you have been told that your student will probably have to have a modified diploma, you can still homeschool!  Please reach out to us and we can help direct you to a homeschool umbrella that can support you and offers the type of diploma options that your student needs.  

CAK Homeschool Staff

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What sets CAK Homeschool Umbrella Apart?

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  • Academic Advising (Grades 8–12)

    Grade-specific academic advisors assist parents with curricular planning, time management, and other homeschool-related questions.

  • Beta Club

    Homeschool Beta Club. Our Beta Club has won awards and is a School of Distinction for 25/26. Our club holds monthly meetings that include service projects, providing an opportunity to make friends and build lasting relationships.

  • NHS

    Homeschool National Honor Society

  • Honors Coursework Support

    CAK grants honors credit for high school students who take pre-approved honors courses.

  • Learning & Testing Support

    CAK has a Learning Specialist advisor who focuses on equipping families to help their students with specific learning differences. For more information, please reach out to homeschool@cakmail.org

  • On-Campus Testing

    We offer PSAT on-campus testing for 10th- and 11th-grade students.  PreACT is offered on campus for 9th & 10th grade.

    For elementary students, we offer on-campus standardized tests for 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade. With the option of testing at home.

  • 8th Grade Transition Support

    We have an 8th-grade-specific advisor who helps support the entire family in transitioning to high school.

  • College Guidance

    We offer college guidance, work with Common App, write reference letters, and prepare professional transcripts.

  • À La Carte Classes

    Students enrolled in our CAK Umbrella program can only enroll in High School Day School classes (perfect for band, lab science, upper level maths, and AP courses).   The band program can begin in the 5th grade and continue through the 12th grade.  

  • Athletics Opportunities

    Students have the option of participating in CAK Day school sports. Elementary: tennis (individual) and cross country (individual). Middle school: tennis, swimming (individual), and cross country (individual). High school: swimming (individual) and cross country (individual).

  • School Photos

    We offer school photos by Pro-Photo.

  • Public Sports Access

    Umbrella high school students can play public sports with the school they are zoned for (you must get forms and paperwork signed before starting).

CAK Homeschool Requirements

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  • 9-12 Grades

    Program Requirements
    CAK Homeschool accepts students in 9th through 11th grade into the program. The application deadline for each school year is August 15th. We also require an interview with the teacher on record (the primary teaching parent) for all students in 6th grade and older.

    Families with 9th-12th grade students are required to submit course titles and curriculum choices at the beginning of the year, and then grades and attendance at the end of each semester, or twice a year. Parents/guardians submit this information digitally through our data system, myCAK, from the convenience of their personal computer.

    Testing is required once for high school students. This requirement can be achieved through the SAT or the ACT.

    Parents/Guardians must ensure that a current Tennessee Department of Health student immunization record form PH-4103 (available from your Doctor or Health Department) or immunization exempt form (provided by CAK) is on file with us to be a family in good standing.  We also require a copy of your student's birth certificate.

    We offer a traditional graduation service at a local church for all graduating seniors with a cap and gown, a speaker, and CAK diplomas.

    We are unable to accept students who have significant learning differences because we only have a traditional diploma track.  We are unable to take students that will require a modified diploma track.

    Teaching Criteria
    At least one parent must be a professing Christian who is part of a worshiping body of believers. 

    Yearly Tuition
    • $250 per student per year
    • $40 one-time high school fee
    • $50 per family, one-time application fee- payable when applying

  • K-8 Grades

    Program Requirements
    CAK Homeschool accepts Kindergarten through 8th-grade students into the program. The application deadline for each school year is August 15th and December 31st for the Spring Semester. We also require an interview with the teacher on record (the primary teaching parent) for all students in 6th grade and older.

    K-8 families are required to submit course titles and curriculum choices at the beginning of the year, and then grades and attendance at the end of the year. Parents/guardians submit this information digitally through our data system, myCAK, from the convenience of their personal computer.

    Testing is required for grades 3, 5, and 7. Testing is used as a resource to measure student progress. You may test during the week using our umbrella schedules in March for on-campus testing, or test at home and submit your results to us.

    Parents/Guardians must provide a current student immunization record form for the state of Tennessee, PH-4103 (available from your Doctor or Health Department), or an immunization exemption form (available from CAK), along with a copy of the student's birth certificate.

    We are unable to accept students who have significant learning differences because we only have a traditional diploma track.  We are unable to take students who will require a modified diploma track; this includes in elementary school.  

    Teaching Criteria
    At least one parent must be a professing Christian who is part of a worshiping body of believers. 

    Yearly Tuition
    • $110 per student, except AFTER August 1st, it is $125 per student
    • For a family of three or more children, the fee is $100 per student or $125 after Aug. 1st
    • Family application fee of $50 for new families or returning transfer families

State Requirements

Time
Tennessee requires homeschoolers to oversee their children’s education for 180 days of the year at four hours per day of instruction. Homeschoolers are free to choose when the 180 days occur throughout the school year.

Curriculum
Homeschooling parents/guardians have the freedom to design a course of study that is fitting to their individual student. Parents are required by law to submit courses and curriculum titles to the umbrella school.

Why CAK Homeschool?

The CAK Homeschool Umbrella Program provides structured support and a strong sense of community for homeschooling families.

Each week, our homeschool families receive a newsletter keeping them updated with the monthly field trips and school-wide activities that we provide, such as Beta Club events. When graduation arrives, we provide a personalized high school graduation ceremony to celebrate this important milestone.

At CAK, we strive to cultivate a sense of school pride among our homeschool families. Above all, our mission is to support you on your homeschooling journey.

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  • Getting Involved with CAK

    CAK day school staff and administration are enthusiastic supporters of our homeschool program. Homeschool students are eligible to participate in non-TSSAA sports. Due to TSSAA regulations, homeschoolers cannot participate in certain sanctioned sports. The only sports in which students can participate at CAK Day School are elementary tennis (individual) and cross-country (individual). Middle school tennis, swimming (individual), and cross country (individual). High school swimming (individual) and cross country (individual).

    Middle and high school students also have the opportunity to take part-time classes at CAK at a pro-rated tuition rate. Occasionally, other day school events and activities are extended to our homeschool families as well.

  • myCAK

    Our homeschool families use myCAK, a user-friendly online system designed to make managing your homeschool experience easy and efficient. Through this platform, you can submit course titles, curriculum, grades, attendance, and payments—all in one place.

    After acceptance, you will receive an enrollment packet in your portal. This includes our yearly handbook, which must be signed before you can make payment and add your curriculum. From there, myCAK will be your go-to tool throughout the school year.
Knoxville's premier preschool to 12th grade private, college preparatory, Christian school located in Knox County, Tennessee.
Address: 529 Academy Way, Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: (865) 690-4721

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