In online school settings, the online teacher and student are separated from one another by distance and often by time, so knowing and understanding online students is an important factor in building teacher-student relationships.¹ Research suggests that online students are successful if they respond to three different types of learner interactions: (1) learner-to-content (appropriateness of the course material and delivery), (2) learner-to-instructor (access and support), and (3) learner-to-learner (procedures for dialogue).² Watson et al. (2014)³ noted that practical consideration of the role of a teacher in an online classroom similar to that of a traditional face-to-face classroom is important to ensure student success.

November promises to be a busy and meaningful month for your school community, packed with activities that celebrate achievements, strengthen partnerships, and inspire reflection. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

October is one of the most dynamic months in the school year, packed with activities that range from capturing memorable moments to fostering professional development. It’s a month that balances fun and creates an enriching atmosphere for students, teachers, and staff alike. From school picture days to fundraising events, and from teacher evaluations to significant administrative tasks, here’s a look at how October offers something for everyone in the school community.

Hello, I’m Dr. Yelena V. Solodyankin, the Founder and CEO of Enlightium Academy. As we kick off the school year, I want to take a moment to walk you through the key events and steps your team should focus on for the first quarter of the year. September, often regarded as the beginning of the school year, is packed with important milestones that set the tone for the months ahead. Let’s dive into these steps and explore how your team can approach each one with enthusiasm and care.

As the founder and CEO of Enlightium Academy, I know that starting the school year on the right foot requires thorough preparation from every corner of the school community. In this blog post, I’ll break down the essential steps for administrators, teachers, and staff members to take in the weeks leading up to the first quarter of the academic year. Whether you're a school leader looking to optimize your school’s start or part of a school team, these tasks will help set the stage for a productive, positive, and successful school year.

The fifth and final phase of launching your private Christian school is all about evaluation and continuous improvement. After completing your first year, it’s essential to take a step back, assess what worked well, and identify areas for improvement. This phase is not only about reflecting on the past but also about setting the stage for ongoing success.

The fourth phase of launching your private Christian school is where all your planning and preparation come to life. Implementation is about putting your plans into action, managing the daily operations of your school, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly during your inaugural year. This phase is critical for building momentum and setting the tone for the future of your school.

Planning is the backbone of a successful school launch. The third phase of opening your private Christian school involves carefully organizing all the tasks that need to be completed in the months leading up to your school’s first day. This phase is extensive, often taking several months to fully implement, but it is crucial to ensure that your school is ready to open its doors.

The second phase of launching a private Christian school is all about communication. Effective communication is vital for building strong relationships with parents, students, and the broader community. During this phase, you’ll focus on keeping everyone informed and engaged as you move closer to opening your school.

Starting a private Christian school is an exciting and impactful journey, one that begins with a strong vision. Envisioning your school is the first and most critical phase of the process, setting the foundation for everything that follows. This phase involves not just dreaming big but also laying down the concrete steps that will turn your vision into reality. It’s crucial to begin this phase at least six months before your school’s planned opening.

Embarking on the journey to start a private Christian school is a noble endeavor that can profoundly impact your community for generations. With the recent rise of School Choice legislation in many states, now is an ideal time for church communities across the nation to create private Christian schools where parents can actively partner in their children’s education from a biblical worldview. Depending on your state’s regulations, some or all of the tuition may even be covered by vouchers or educational credits, making this vision more accessible than ever.

In a brick-and-mortar hybrid school, creating a school calendar that works for everyone involved can be a challenging task. We'll walk you through the steps of creating a comprehensive school calendar that meets the needs of your school. Whether you're new to the hybrid model or looking to improve your existing calendar, this guide is here to help. As an Alliance Partner School with Enlightium Academy, you have access to our expertise in this area. We will guide you through the process of creating a calendar for your school, ensuring that students and teachers are aligned when it comes to in-person school days. 

With the rise of private schools providing an alternative education, where students split their time between online and traditional brick-and-mortar in-person learning, creating a schedule that works for everyone involved can be a challenging task. As an Alliance Partner School with Enlightium Academy, you have access to our expertise in this area. We will guide you through the process of creating a successful schedule for your school, ensuring that students are getting the most out of their education. 

As Christian educators, we strive to provide high-quality learning experiences, safe social interactions, and support for the well-being of our students. That is why at Enlightium Academy, we are proud to be accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and Cognia, as well as being a member of multiple academic institutions. Accreditation not only confirms the promises we make to our students and families, but it also sets us apart from other online schools. In this blog, I will discuss the importance of accreditation and the various organizations that have recognized Enlightium Academy for its excellence in education.

Getting to Know Enlightium Academy’s Executive Director – Part 2

In my article entitled “The Formative Years: Education and Family”, I briefly shared my early dream of starting a school with Christian values. Growing up in Kyrgyzstan, the former Soviet Union republic, I longed to be able to learn about God in school.

Adapting to America

Spokane, Washington is known for being a family-friendly city with many parks and lakes. The climate is very similar to Kyrgyzstan, where we lived before moving to the United States of America. Our family came to Spokane in August of 1991. Within ten years, more than 20,000 Slavic refugees immigrated from the former Soviet Union and made Spokane their home.

Since the dawn of the 21st century, various alternatives to K-12 public education have become more common. One of the rising school choice options available to parents, which reflects the reality of how students learn nowadays, is online education. Online education (1) is designed around the learner, allowing for self-paced learning that provides students with opportunities to speed up or slow down as necessary; (2) provides the flexibility offered by online technologies to support the needs of diverse learners; and (3) opens a wide array of options to all learners¹. 

In a post-pandemic world, online education has drawn more attention not only from the media but also from academia and health organizations. In the fall of 2020, many public and private schools switched from in-person to remote learning. A decrease in teachers and students’ physical presence in the classroom resulted in an increase in interest in online learning. This is why parents wanted to enroll their students in an online school such as Enlightium Academy: to prevent gaps in education in times of crisis. One parent reported that they enrolled their child “due to COVID and that their public school was not fully equipped for remote learning” (Parent of a 6th-grade student, WA).

Ken Robinson², an international advisor on innovative education, noted that a solution to the downsides of public education is individualized learning through the use of technology. Using technology in education allows students to discover their individual talents, puts students in an environment where they want to learn, and helps them naturally discover their true passions.

Family Foundation - Part 1

As far back as I can remember, I had a deep desire for education. I was the seventh of nine kids in my family. My dad valued education and spent evenings with all of us. I remember having a big round table in the living room where all my siblings would complete homework under my dad’s supervision. Sadly, he passed away when I was only eight years old.

With the recent worldwide pandemic, many parents are more concerned than ever about their children’s health and welfare while attending school in person. Enlightium Academy, a private Christian online school, has gained valuable experience in teaching online courses since 2003 and was able to seamlessly support many students during the pandemic and other crises. Partnering with Enlightium in educating your student can be easier than you think!

Online Homeschooling is a Great Solution for Busy Parents

The main benefit of online learning is the teachers. Research indicates that teachers have more genuine relationships with students in online settings since they provide one-on-one interactions with their students, and teachers have a better chance to learn about each student in comparison to the classroom setting.¹ 

Online education is designed around the learner. It allows for self-paced learning that provides students with opportunities to speed up or slow down in their assignments as necessary. Online education also utilizes cutting-edge technologies to support the needs of diverse learners. For example, gifted and talented students can maximize their perceived gifts and talents and progress in their schooling at a quicker rate.²

Parents often start off the year with lots of ideas, plans, and momentum, confident that they will keep that momentum through the year. But as the weeks pass by, parents may be finding themselves slipping into a rut, and they might find their child staring longingly out the window and letting out long sighs of boredom. If this is you, you are not alone! Many parents struggle to keep their children engaged as the routine starts to drag and the excitement from the beginning of the year drains away.

Take a deep breath and start with some of the following tips to help re-engage your child to learn while at home!