Tennessee Parent Challenges Private School Regulations
A Johnson City founder is suing the state to overturn strict operational rules for her private school.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Homeschooling
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Sarah Fagerburg has filed a lawsuit in Washington County Chancery Court challenging Tennessee state regulations that she claims interfere with her private school's educational model. The school, founded by Fagerburg using the Acton Academy approach, currently serves more than 40 students.
Why it matters
Fagerburg argues that specific state-mandated requirements for private schools are unconstitutional and hinder the unique approach of her educational program. The outcome of the case could impact the operational freedom of private institutions seeking to participate in the state's Education Freedom Scholarship program.
Tennessee currently mandates 180 days of annual instruction and 6.5 hours of daily schooling for private institutions. The state also prohibits mixed-age classrooms and restricts the school to the first floor of its church-owned building.
The players
Sarah Fagerburg
She is the founder of a private school in Johnson City that utilizes the Acton Academy model.
Beacon Center of Tennessee
This organization is providing legal representation for Fagerburg in her challenge against state regulations.
Tennessee State Board of Education
This body establishes the educational and operational standards for schools across the state.
The details
Fagerburg, a mother of nine, founded the school in her garage before registering it as a private entity to access state scholarships. She seeks to invalidate regulations that she contends improperly dictate the operational structure and educational methodology of her private school.
Timeline
Fagerburg started her school in her garage in 2024.
The program was formally registered as a private school in 2026.
The lawsuit was active as of October 30, 2026.
Culture Shift
The lawsuit reflects a broader movement where private educational entrepreneurs are challenging the application of public school standards to private, alternative learning models. This conflict highlights a tension between state oversight requirements and the operational autonomy desired by non-traditional schools.
For local families, the outcome could change the availability of non-traditional private school options in Washington County. Parents may face uncertainty regarding future enrollment caps if the current regulatory building restrictions remain enforced.
The takeaway
This case illustrates the growing friction between private innovation and standardized state oversight. Families interested in alternative schooling should stay informed about how legal rulings may affect the operational requirements of local private institutions.
Further reading
For more on the state's regulatory environment for independent learning, visit Tennessee homeschooling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Elizabethton Star.
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