Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Enlightium has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each country, it is a parental responsibility to check on their country’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about some country’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their country’s requirements at hslda.org/legal/international and/or the Department of Education and Knowledge, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in many countries; however, with the freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help! As you review your country’s homeschooling requirements, keep in mind that Enlightium Academy is a U.S.-based school and holds dual accreditation through Cognia and ACSI. Although not registered in the United Arab Emirates, this accreditation allows Enlightium to serve students worldwide and provides a high school diploma recognized nationally and internationally. For families living in countries that require an apostille to validate foreign educational records, Enlightium can help guide you through the apostille process should you choose to pursue official recognition of your student’s U.S. studies.
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s homeschooling requirements.
Homeschooling Options
Families enrolling with Enlightium Academy may use its accredited online program as their primary curriculum while remaining responsible for complying with UAE compulsory education laws and any applicable emirate-level requirements.
The UAE’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
Country Educational Funds = No
Does the Parent Need to Notify the Country? = Not published
Academic Calendar Requirement = Not published
Age Requirement = Yes
Instructor Qualifications = Not published
Standardized Assessment = Required by Enlightium
Keep a Portfolio = Recommended by Enlightium
Enlightium Parents App with Group for International Families = Yes
Country Educational Funds
There do not appear to be any educational funds in the UAE at this time.
Notifying the Country
There is no published nationwide registration process for families enrolling in a foreign online school. However, families should confirm local expectations with their emirate’s education authority.
Grade Requirement
Grades prekindergarten and kindergarten:
Students are not required to attend school, but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.
Primary Stage (Grades 1-4):
Students must attend school, which can include enrolling at Enlightium Academy. This only appears to apply to legal citizens of the UAE.
Secondary stage (Grades 5-12):
Students are not required to attend school, but can enroll in Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
Families enrolling with Enlightium Academy use instruction provided by a U.S.-based accredited private school, and there is no published UAE requirement that parents supervising coursework at home hold local teaching credentials. However, parents remain legally responsible for compliance with compulsory education laws. Additionally, Emirate-level authorities could request documentation.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state* and/or ACSI-certified. A number of our faculty members have Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields.
Students in the Book-Based Program use textbook Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use the Ignitia digital Christian curriculum or Enlightium’s custom online curriculum (available to select grade levels). Students in the Sapphire Live program use a collection of the best-vetted curriculum options by our curriculum department. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and elective courses. Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and to find the curriculum option that works best for your family.
*For students living in the U.S., this does not necessarily mean that their teachers are certified in the student’s state of residence, but instead in the teacher’s state of residence. For most states, this distinction is not important to the student’s academics.
Calendar Requirements
UAE law emphasizes continuity and regular participation in education. While specific instructional day requirements may not be published for families enrolled in foreign online schools, parents should maintain consistent attendance records and academic documentation through Enlightium Academy.
Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 210 days with summer school). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
Required Subjects
Families enrolling with Enlightium Academy are not automatically subject to local curriculum requirements. However, parents remain responsible for ensuring their student receives a comprehensive academic program appropriate to the student’s age and grade level in accordance with UAE compulsory education expectations.
After you enroll/re-enroll and before your student starts courses at Enlightium Academy, your student’s counselor will send you an email with a recommended course schedule consisting of core courses and, if applicable, courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.
Keep a Portfolio
To demonstrate educational progress, if requested by local authorities, Enlightium recommends families keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
- Course plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1, 2, and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of the school year or summer.
- Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
- Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and involvement in the Student Council.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for International Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and a desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living internationally to inform and support each other in fulfilling their country’s homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the blue button near the top of the page.
Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and book-based program K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review country requirements and regulations annually; however, each country may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your country’s board of education.
Sources reviewed in February 2026:
