When you decide to enroll your student in an alternative to public school, whether it is enrolling him/her in an online private school such as Enlightium Academy or taking on all responsibilities yourself in homeschooling, you are cutting yourself off from the educational standard and therefore have additional steps to fulfill. It’s a tradeoff - you have more of a say in what and how your student is learning, and in return you are accountable to the state to ensure that your student is learning the basics.

If you have not homeschooled before, the idea of transitioning your students into an online school might seem like a daunting task; especially if you know that there are different home schooling requirements and regulations for each state. However, if you live in New Jersey, I have good news for you: your state has some of the fewest regulations for choosing an alternative to public school!

Ask for Help. 

Online learning requires a level of effort and commitment you may not be used to. You have a support system that includes your parents, your teachers, and your school counselor. Take advantage of these supporters — ask for help right away when you need it, and accept it when it's offered.

Welcome back to the next installment of our Healthy Meal Plan for Homeschoolers Series for Enlightium Academy. Be sure to check out previous posts on here. In case you haven't realized it yet, in general, I like to cook. I like finding new recipes and creating my own tasty meals to share with loved ones. I am one of those weirdos who even enjoys grocery shopping. But that does not mean I always feel like doing it! One strategy that helps me feed my family throughout the week is by preparing the ingredients I will need before cooking. 

Considering alternative education can be scary; sometimes down-right controversial. There are lots of questions to answer, and there are many things to do as well. The questions can begin to fill a parent or guardian’s mind:

Should I take my child out of public school? What will happen?
If I choose an alternative education, what option should I choose?
Are homeschooling and private-online education options legal in Missouri?
Will I get in trouble?
What if I do something wrong?
Where do I even begin looking at and learning about alternative education?

Getting a driver’s license can be one of the most exciting moments for students during their high school career. Like carrying around gold, excited students will carry around their new found freedom in the form of a plastic card, showing everyone. “I’ve got my driver’s license!”.

Dear Students,

In my recent Internet lurking I came a tumblr post or tweet by a student that said something like this

“I don’t know how people plagiarize on purpose. I’m terrified that I will fail because I accidentally used the same wording as a 16th-century manual on toasters.”

Welcome back to the next installment of Enlightium Academy’s Healthy Meals for Homeschoolers series. I am excited to share with you some of my ideas about family budget meals. As a recent college graduate (now repaying loans), I am familiar with the ‘B’ word - budget. When you think of family budget meals, what do you think of? Money? Spreadsheets? Penny-pinching?

If you are like most Americans, it’s hard to remember what day our country celebrates Memorial Day. Signifying the unofficial start of summer each year, it always falls on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day 2018 will take place on Monday, May 28th. But there is a lot more to the holiday than welcoming summer. Memorial Day has a rich history and is a great opportunity to honor the men and women who have served the United States of America as soldiers.

Many children know what Memorial Day means – a day off from school! While getting a day to enjoy the beautiful May weather is a reason to celebrate, it is also important to remember why Memorial Day is important. This federal holiday is a great opportunity to teach your children about duty, honor, and patriotism.

Dear Students,

Plagiarism is a topic that is always discussed in specific ways. It’s outlined in school policies, and teachers explain the consequences and moral implications. The messages we as teachers convey about plagiarism by setting out the rules are important, but they are also incomplete. This open letter format is my attempt to continue the conversation with openness and hopefully some humor.

What is a Verification of Enrollment?

A Verification of Enrollment, also referred to as a Certificate of Enrollment or Proof of School Enrollment, is an official document provided by the school that states the student is enrolled in that school. It can be used by parents to confirm to their state or school district that the student is receiving an education in a public school, private school or homeschool setting.

Welcome to Enlightium Academy’s new blog series, Healthy Meal Plans for Homeschoolers! As a public health nutritionist, I want it to be easier for families to be healthy at home and in their communities. Food and nutrition are important components of lifelong health. My goal in this series is to share the tools you need to plan and provide healthy meals for your homeschoolers.

Increasingly, parents are finding that public schooling doesn’t meet their family’s needs. Whether they have safety concerns, are looking for a more challenging or flexible program, or simply want more control over what their students are learning, parents are looking at non-public school options in Washington State.

A strong foundation is indispensable if you want something to last. The truth of this principle manifests itself in a variety of contexts. For example, when building a house or any other type of structure, ample time is spent in an effort to create a solid, trustworthy foundation. Without one, anything you spend on the building will be a waste.

Do you increasingly get the feeling that public school isn't right for your child? There are many reasons why students may not thrive in public school. Every child has a different learning style, and traditional schooling practices tend to ignore this truth.

Pulling a child out of school to homeschool is a tough decision, but it is one that can bring rich rewards in the quality of both your children's education and your family life. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about homeschooling.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Loss comes in many forms and for many reasons. Certainly we experience loss when a person we love dies, but loss can also occur when a friendship or romantic relationship ends, when we lose a part of our life that defined us, or when a drastic change in lifestyle (positive or negative) causes us to change our previous environment and habits.

Life’s Bumps and Thumps

Life often throws bumps in your road to achievement. Through elementary and middle school, your parents may have helped smooth the bumps into manageable pebbles. During your high school years, however, the bumps have grown and now they threaten to affect your future. Reality sets in when major obstacles put your goal of achieving a high school diploma in danger.

What is STEM?

The term has grown in prominence in the news and in articles across the United States, but not everyone knows what STEM is, what the acronym stands for, or what its purpose is. As a teacher, I have tried to follow the development and implementation of STEM topics when instructing my students. In this article, we will look at what STEM is and why it is important.

Heroes give young people someone to look up to and emulate. They teach students that they can have a positive impact on the world around them when they use their God-given talents and that greatness in the pure, unselfish sense is something for which we should striver. This does not mean we should focus only on their greatest accomplishments. Instead, we should accept that the whole life of a hero or heroine is part of their legacy.