NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Department of Education has approved 29 new virtual schools for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.
According to a release, this addition brings the total number of virtual schools in Tennessee to 57.
"While research shows that students benefit most from in-person classroom instruction, districts are ensuring families who prefer a virtual education setting for their students have those options and can continue to make the best choices for their children," said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn in a statement.
Since 2011, Tennessee has allowed local school districts to create virtual schools that offer alternative modes of instruction for students.
Tennessee families must enroll their students in virtual school in order to receive a significant portion of their instruction remotely.
The new virtual schools include:
Anderson County Schools
Anderson County Innovation Academy, Grades 3-12
Bedford County Schools
Bedford County Virtual School, Grades 3-8
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Tennessee Online Public School at Bristol, Grades K-5
Campbell County Schools
North Cumberland Online School, Grades 6-12
Cheatham County Schools
Cheatham County Virtual Academy, Grades 9-12
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
CMCSS K-12 Virtual School, Grades K-12
Coffee County Schools
Coffee County Virtual Academy, Grades 6-12
Collierville Schools
Collierville Virtual Academy, Grades 3-12
Dickson County Schools
Dickson County Distance Learning Academy, Grades 4-12
Germantown Municipal School District
Germantown Online Academy of Learning, Grades 6-12
Greene County Schools
Greene Online Academy of Learning , Grades K-12
Greeneville City Schools
Tennessee Online Public School at Greeneville, Grades K-12
Hawkins County Schools
Hawkins County Virtual Academy, Grades K-12
Haywood County Schools
Haywood County Virtual Academy, Grades K-8
Jackson-Madison County School System
Jackson Academic STEAM Academy, Grades K-12
Jefferson County Schools
Jefferson Virtual Academy, Grades 1-12
Johnson City Schools
Johnson City Virtual Academy, Grades 5-12
Knox County Schools
KCS Virtual Elementary School, Grades 1-5
Knox County Schools
KCS Virtual Middle School, Grades 6-8
Knox County Schools
KCS Virtual High School, Grades 9-12
Lenoir City Schools
The iLearn Institute at Lenoir City Schools, Grades K-12
Lincoln County Schools
Lincoln Central Virtual Academy, Grades K-12
Marion County Schools
Marion Virtual Elementary School, Grades K-5
Sevier County School System
Sevier County Virtual Academy, Grades K-12
Sullivan County Schools
Sullivan County Virtual Learning Academy, Grades 6-12
Tullahoma City Schools
Tullahoma Virtual Academy, Grades 9-12
Warren County Schools
Warren Connect, Grades 3-12
Williamson County Schools
WCS Online K-8, Grades K-8
Williamson County Schools
WCS Online 9-12, Grades 9-12