Several local and area school systems will dismiss early on Monday, April 8, 2024, for the eclipse.

Much of Tennessee will be in near-total darkness as the eclipse takes place.

But the eclipse won’t be a total one, since the closest path of totality will be some 260 miles away in the northwest corner of Tennessee.

In 2017, most of the area, including Crossville, plunged into darkness as the moon nearly covered the sun.

For the April 8, 2024 event, it will begin at about 12:45 p.m. Central.

At the maximum point, at about 2:05 p.m. Central, around 80 to 90 percent of the sun will be covered in our area, and the sky will dim slightly, but won’t go totally dark.

The eclipse will end at about 3:20 p.m. Central, and all will go back to normal.

(This list was compiled on March 22, 2024. Check back to this story for updates from school systems that have not made a decision yet)

ANDERSON COUNTY – Elementary and middle schools, except Clinton Middle, will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. The high schools and Clinton Middle School will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.

BLEDSOE COUNTY – No decision yet regarding April 8

BRADLEY COUNTY – will release early

CUMBERLAND COUNTY – Schools will dismiss early at 11:15 a.m. Students will recieve breakfast, lunch, and eclipse viewing glasses prior to dismissal.

FENTRESS COUNTY – No decision yet regarding April 8

KNOX COUNTY – will dismiss early

LENOIR CITY SCHOOLS – will dismiss at 11 a.m.

LOUDON COUNTY – It will be a half day with buses running at 11 a.m.

MCMINN COUNTY – There will be no school on April 8 as it will be a remote learning day.

MEIGS COUNTY – dismissing at noon.

MORGAN COUNTY – Schools will be implementing a remote learning day on April 8 because of the eclipse.

OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS – will dismiss early

OVERTON COUNTY – School officials say they will have activities related to the solar eclipse in the classrooms and will be open on regular schedule.

PICKETT COUNTY – as of March 22, no decision has been made regarding early dismissal.

PUTNAM COUNTY – No decision yet as of March 22 regarding April 8.

RHEA COUNTY – The school system plans to run on normal schedule April 8.

ROANE COUNTY – The school systems says the eclipse is a great opportunity for families to be together and experience the solar event. All Roane County schools will be released early on April 8, 2024. Students will be provided breakfast, lunch and eclipse viewing glasses with safety instructions. Schools in Roane County will dismiss between 11:30 and noon on April 8.

WHITE COUNTY – no decision announced for April 8