Enrollment is open for the
Enrollment is open for the
2026-2027 academic year
2026-2027 academic year
Embedded Files
Two Parallel Programs Offered for 2026-2027
We have our legacy Tues/Thurs offering and a new Mon/Wed offering for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. The programs are identical in the courses that are being taught. There is a Tues/Thurs Faculty Team and a different Mon/Wed Faculty Team. You select which Core Academic Class Program you prefer: Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs. Enrollment will be done on first-come, first-served basis. Students either attend the Tues/Thurs program OR the Mon/Wed program. Students may not switch between the two offerings during the year. Once a student has enrolled in the Core Academic Class program, he or she will remain in that program for the year.
What is the tuition per year?
For those paying full tuition upfront:
Grades K - 12. (Tuition is the same for the Tues/Thurs program as it is for the Mon/Wed program)
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 in August.
Science lab fee of $100 per course, payable by check in August.
The tuition covers student enrollment and in-person instruction two days per week, including certain textbooks (but not consumables: novels or workbooks) in four year-long core academic courses: math, science, English (language arts) and History (social studies), plus one elective. In addition, students in grades K-9 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 Spanish, fine arts, personal finance, and economics. We require a minimum of 5 students to be enrolled in order for us to offer an elective course.
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 (12th graders) 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.
All tuition is non-refundable. Ironwood Academy makes financial commitments to hire and pay teachers, to pay rent, utilities, insurance, and security protection for the tutorial based solely on parental agreement to fulfill the terms of the financial contract.
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:
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.
Step 4: Schedule the family interview (this is only done after our receipt of the transcript).
Step 5: If necessary, 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 in grades 5-12 should be able to work independently to complete their home assignments; however, some students in grades 5-12, as well as all younger students in grades K-4, will require supervision and assistance from the parents. In our model, parents are not expected to teach any material unless the student has demonstrated significant gaps in knowledge or ability, or has missed class due to illness or travel. 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 who are highly experienced teachers, most with masters level degrees or higher. 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 require 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 can create another section of that course to make sure the class size remains manageable.
What are the days and hours?
Core academic classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a parallel program of core academic courses will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. The hours for both core academic programs are 8:45 am to 3:00 pm. We do not provide any before or after school care. Doors open no earlier than 8:30 am. Afternoon pick-up is promptly at 3:00 pm. Homework Help will run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on the two days the student is not on campus for core academic classes (either Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs).
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 (individualized educational plan) 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 without being distracting and to work independently at home. Assistance can 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.
Parents should provide as much information as possible on the Application and during the interview to help us determine if Ironwood Academy will be able to meet your child's specific needs in our small setting and limited classroom days. Parents will be asked to disclose any diagnosed or undiagnosed neurodivergent attributes or behaviors of the student and whether or not he/she has had a previous IEP or 504 Plan. Neurodivergent attributes or behaviors that affect learning and processing include: ADD, ADHD, OCD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, Asperger's syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and high anxiety.
Optional Homework Help Days-for an additional fee of $1700 per semester
For the Tues/Thurs legacy Core Academic Program, we are offering Homework Help from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Likewise, for the Mon/Wed new Core Academic Program, we are offering Homework Help from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That makes it possible for a student to attend Ironwood for a total of 4 days per week if a parent chooses.
Will the teachers be the same on Mon/Wed as we have on Tues/Thurs?
No. We will have two separate teams of qualified faculty members. The Tues/Thurs Core Academic Program will be comprised of the faculty members shown on our current website. We are hiring comparably qualified teachers for the Mon/Wed Core Academic Program. We are known for our ability to attract and hire superbly credentialed teachers.
Who will be providing Homework Help on the alternate days?
We will utilize a combination of our current staff members as well as hiring additional tutors and childcare workers to assist and supervise the students. It is unlikely that your child's current teachers will be the tutors on the Homework Help days, but we will have a qualified tutor available to assist your child. Most of our teachers enjoy teaching just two days per week.
If we choose the OPTION, what is the additional cost of the Homework Help days?
We are charging $1700 per semester for students to attend 28 Homework Help days first semester. That equates to approximately $14.00 an hour (less than the cost of a babysitter). Parents pay upfront by the semester for Homework Help days so that we can adequately plan for and staff the tutoring.
If we decide that we no longer need the Homework Help option, can we get a refund or a partial refund?
Not for that semester. Once families have signed up for Homework Help and paid the semester fee, we hire and contract with the tutors and supervisors to staff the program. However, you can elect not to sign up again for the next semester if you no longer feel that your child needs the additional support.
If we do not sign up for Homework Help and later in the semester we determine that our child needs the additional support, can we sign up at that time?
Yes, we will pro-rate the $1700 semester fee to allow you to sign up for Homework Help, but we will not refund or pro-rate the cost if you decide to not use the program.
Do you offer sibling discounts?
We do not since we have to pay each teacher individually. Discounts would short-change some of the teachers' pay. We do offer an early-pay discount of $200 on tuition that is paid in full by March 15th.
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