Do Homeschooling Students Need to be Immunized?

As more families turn to homeschooling as an alternative to traditional schooling, the Health Department addresses policies surrounding immunization or exemption options. With varying state and country regulations, it can be confusing to determine what is required for homeschooled students. In this blog, we provide information to help parents navigate immunization requirements.

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Why Do I Need to Keep Documentation?

First and foremost, it is important to understand that policies regarding vaccinations for homeschoolers vary depending on the state or country in which you reside, but as an accredited online private school, Enlightium Academy is required by each state to obtain immunization or exemption records for its students. Some states have strict requirements for all students, including homeschooled students, to be immunized against certain diseases; other states allow for exemptions or waivers for religious or personal beliefs. 

Public health reporting is designed to help public health agencies identify and respond to outbreaks of disease. Even though not all Enlightium students share a physical campus, they may still interact with others in different settings, such as sports, social events, or Enlightium’s optional in-person events.

Enlightium Academy has completed research on each state and many countries to provide you with the information you need to get started.

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Statistics

As of the publication of this article, Enlightium Academy’s team would like to bring to your attention the following information regarding students in the United States (50 states and Washington, D.C.):

• 16 out of the 50 states and Washington DC have immunization requirements.
• These states allow immunization exemption for medical and/or religious reasons if you follow the necessary steps.

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Provide Records

If your state does have immunization requirements, make sure to keep your children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons and provide them to Enlightium for record keeping. Please note that immunization records provided to Enlightium are kept strictly confidential and used only for compliance purposes. This information is stored securely in each student’s file and is not shared without parental authorization. For reporting to state health departments, only aggregated data—such as the number of vaccinated or exempt students—is provided. Individual records are not disclosed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will providing or not providing immunization records affect my child’s enrollment at Enlightium?
No. Providing an immunization record or exemption form will not impact your child’s ability to enroll or remain enrolled at Enlightium.

What if my child’s immunizations are out of date or missing?
If your student participates in any of Enlightium’s in-person programs (Enrichment Center, Hybrid Learning, and STEM+), you may be asked to provide updated immunization records or an exemption form to meet state requirements. To update the immunization record or obtain and complete an exemption form, contact your healthcare provider.  

Can my child attend Enlightium’s in-person events without up-to-date immunizations?
Yes, students are welcome to attend in-person events, such as graduations or meet-and-greets, regardless of their immunization status or exemption. However, we ask that families exercise caution and refrain from attending events if a student is experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness to protect other attendees.

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Parents should consult with healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about their child's health and education. Make sure to review your state’s Department of Health webpage and or talk to your student’s healthcare provider for additional information and applicable forms. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our Records Department at records@enlightiumacademy.com. You may provide immunization records or exemptions to us via our secure Records Uploader.

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Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and homeschool 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.