Learning at home: Chestnut Ridge Academy continues to grow

Many parents enjoy the flexibility and freedom homeschooling offers, and choose this option to follow Tennessee homeschool laws. Umbrella schools are required to meet specific standards of accreditation.

“I went into education because I love learning, and watching kids learn,” Hunt said.

In the first six years of her teaching career near Washington, D.C., Hunt focused on Early Childhood and Elementary Education. When she became a stay-at-home-mom she began exploring homeschooling and while living in Pennsylvania began homeschool co-ops and a support group.  “You have to put effort into seeking activities,” she said.

When her family moved to Lincoln County, she started a homeschool co-op here, which has been going strong for eight years.  Since each child is different and parents know their child better than anyone, homeschooling resources can be tailored to meet the individual child’s needs, she says.

Hunt said she started Chestnut Ridge Academy for two reasons. “I started it so kids wouldn’t lose their love of learning and so they can learn to think for themselves,” she said.

Hunt said Chestnut Ridge can help guide them or other parents in the group can help guide them. While children are taught at home, enrichment classes are offered at the Chestnut Ridge Academy classroom located inside St. John Presbyterian Church, 2959 Huntsville Highway.  Co-op classes are taught by teachers who may specialize in literature, math, science or other subjects.

“I love teaching art,” said Hunt, with a smile. Co-op classes may be especially helpful for parents of junior high or high school kids. One class offered is sign language, taught by Brenda Lunoe. Sign language covers a foreign language requirement for high school students, said Hunt. Co-op classes for high school students meet every week and every other week for elementary and middle school students. Summer camps are available each year and in the past have featured sewing camp, nature camp, crafts, recipes and Lego camp.

While 90% of the 600 students live in Lincoln County, nearly 50% communicate only online. “We have students from all over Tennessee,” she said. Two students moved to Wisconsin and are continuing with Chestnut Ridge. Two young men whose home is in Tennessee are in a camp in Massachusetts, but wanted to continue with Chestnut Ridge. Hunt said one young man is in Spain and in the past they had a student in Zambia, whose parents were missionaries there.

Chestnut Ridge Academy is a homeschool umbrella program recognized as a Category IV school, which operates under Tennessee law (TCA 49-50-801). Parents register with the school and have the freedom to choose what curriculum and methods they will use to educate their children. Chestnut Ridge Academy's aim is to provide resources, accountability and support to families as they educate their children at home.

The state board of education is prohibited from controlling the curriculum or faculty of the school, but the law requires Tennessee umbrella schools to provide the same length of operation during the year as the public school system. They must comply with state vaccination requirements; must supply the name, age and address of each student to the superintendent of schools where the student resides; and keep attendance records for each student.

To contact Chestnut Ridge Academy call 931-227-7391; go to their website www.chestnutridgeacademy.org or email ChestnutRidgeAcademy@gmail.com. The office is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. or by appointment.