Enrollment is open for the
2024-2025 academic year
What is the tuition per year?
For those paying full tuition upfront:
Grades K-5
Prior to March 15 (by check or money order only)-$8200; or (by credit card)-$8610
After March 15 (by check or money order only)-$8400; or (by credit card)-$8820
Grades 6-12
Prior to March 15 (by check or money order only)-$9300; or (by credit card)-$9765
After March 15 (by check or money order only)-$9500; or (by credit card)-$9975
Other Fees
There is a non-refundable Application Fee of $175, payable through our website.
Fine Art elective course supply fee of $75 per course, payable by check.
Science lab fee of $100 per course, payable by check.
The tuition covers student enrollment in four year-long core academic courses: math, science, English (language arts) and History (social studies), plus one elective. In addition, students receive weekly instruction and coaching in our proprietary emotional intelligence (EQ) program.
The remainder of the courses offered address a potpourri of additional State requirements for electives at the high school level such as world languages, fine arts, personal finance, and wellness.
There is no provision for reduced tuition should a student elect not to take the full academic load of 5 courses for students up through grade 11 (junior year of high school). However, an exception may be made in certain instances for students who are seniors in high school (12thgraders) who choose to be in a “dual enrollment” program at a local college. Seniors who are dual-enrolled will be charged a per course fee.
When and how can I register my children?
You can apply online through our website. Applications will be processed in the order received until classes are full. The non-refundable application fee of $175 is due at the time of application.
What is the Enrollment Process?
We follow the steps outlined below in order and will not move forward to a new step until all documents are submitted for us to consider your child for enrollment for the upcoming academic year. It is up to you to procure the required items and either email or mail those to us within the time frames set forth below.
Step 1: Apply online via our website, www.ironwoodacademy.org/apply-now
Step 2: Pay the non-refundable application fee of $175 at the end of the application.
Step 3: Send in the following documents from your child’s current school or umbrella:
A. Transcript or academic record – you will need to request a copy of your
child’s transcript or academic record for their current school or umbrella and
either email or mail a copy of the document to Ironwood Academy.
B. Two (2) letters of recommendation (these can be from two teachers, or a
teacher and an administrator, or a teacher and an outside tutor). You will
need to contact the recommenders of your choosing and have them
complete our online referral form at www.ironwoodacademy.org/rec.
Step 4: Schedule the family interview (this is only done after our receipt of school records and recommendation letters).
Step 5: Placement testing will be done in Math and English/Language Arts on campus at or near the time of the family interview.
New students will be notified by March 1 as to whether or not they are accepted. At that time, a security deposit of $1500 is due within 5 days of acceptance, made payable to Ironwood Academy. The deposit is credited toward the total tuition balance owing on July 1 if paying in full or December 1 if paying in two partial payments. The security deposit is non-refundable if the student does not remain enrolled at Ironwood Academy.
What if I have never homeschooled before?
Our courses are structured in such a way that students should be able to work independently to complete their home assignments; however, some students (especially the younger ones) may require assistance from the parents. In our model, parents are not expected to do any teaching unless the student has demonstrated significant gaps in knowledge or ability. In that case, it is up to the parents to provide additional tutoring for their child at their expense.
What curriculum do you use?
Ironwood hires Instructors with masters level degrees or higher and who are experienced teachers. For the most part, we allow the teachers to select the curriculum most suitable for their courses. Our mandate is that they must meet and exceed State standards in each subject. Many of our teachers use primary source materials and select from a wide variety of robust resources to convey the concepts in their classrooms. We also have proprietary curricula and syllabi developed exclusively for Ironwood Academy. We do not purchase just one "canned" curriculum that is used across the board because we have found that many of those commercially-offered "homeschool" or "Christian" program materials do not meet State standards.
What is the size of each class?
Average size for each class is 12 students, and we strive for a minimum of 5 students per class to make it feasible for the instructor to effectively teach the material. If fewer than 5 students enroll in a course, we reserve the right to cancel the course. Whenever more than 15 students have enrolled in a course, we will create another section of that course to make sure the class size stays under 12 students.
What are the days and hours?
Core academic classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hours are 8:45 am to 3:00 pm.
Specific course starting and ending times will be posted once we finalize the Master Schedule.
Do I need to enroll in an umbrella program?
Yes. Each family will need to enroll their child in one of the many umbrella programs that exist in Tennessee prior to classes starting in August. Ironwood Academy does not specifically endorse or recommend umbrella programs. Additional information on umbrella programs may be found through the Middle Tennessee Home Educators Association (MTHEA) at their website, www.mthea.org.
Do families have to re-apply for admission every year?
Yes. Families are eligible to automatically re-enroll each year if they meet certain criteria. We use a Re-Enrollment Rubric to make an objective assessment as to whether or not a student should be able to continue at the tutorial. The Rubric considers the student’s academic achievement, parental involvement, attendance, compliance with policies and a demonstrated understanding of our mission, vision and values.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
At this time, we do not offer scholarships or financial aid.
Do I sign a financial contract?
Yes. Once a student has been formally accepted (via email letter), a deposit of $1500 is due within 5 days. That $1500 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit will hold a spot in all of the classes that your student has requested until the first tuition payment is due on July 1. The deposit will be credited to your overall account balance, but it will not be refunded if your student does not remain enrolled in our program. If a particular class is full, your student will be placed on a waitlist until a spot opens up.
Do you accept students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)?
Ironwood Academy is neither equipped nor designed to provide any of the special accommodations that students may have received under an IEP from a previous school (which may have included special tests, assistance from Instructors during test-taking, additional time to complete assignments, etc.) All students receive the same class instruction and assistance from the faculty at Ironwood Academy and are expected to function capably within the classroom and to work independently at home. However, we celebrate the individuality of every child and we recognize that not everyone learns in the same manner. Our job is to creatively connect to a student’s learning style, to meet them wherever they are on their growth path, and to help them continue their educational journey at an optimal pace. Assistance can also be provided by the parents outside the classroom in the form of hiring supplemental tutors at the parents’ expense and under their direction and guidance.