How Alabama Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

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.  In general, state institutions recognize Enlightium Academy as an out-of-state private school that allows students to transfer in or transfer out to public and private schools. Enlightium Academy provides our families with standard information about their state’s requirements, and parents are encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Alabama Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. With this freedom comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, but you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help!

Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Alabama’s requirements.

‍

Homeschooling Options

There are three options in Alabama. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 2: Homeschooling with a private school, which allows a student to learn from home while enrolled in an existing private school.

As you review your state’s homeschooling requirements, please keep in mind that Enlightium Academy holds dual accreditation from Cognia and ACSI. This enables us to serve students in all 50 states, providing an accredited education that leads to a high school diploma recognized nationwide. 

‍

Alabama’s Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options = Option 2: Homeschooling with a private school

State Educational Funds = Yes

Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? = Yes

Academic Calendar Requirement = No

Reporting Age Requirement = 6-17

Instructor Qualifications = No

Subjects Required  = Yes

Standardized Assessment = Not Required by the State

Immunization Requirement = Yes

Keep a Portfolio = Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Alabama Families = Yes

‍

State Educational Funds

Enlightium Academy is an approved provider for the Alabama CHOOSE Act. Students using this program would receive up to $2,000 to spend on tuition and fees at Enlightium Academy. Learn more here. 

‍

Notifying the State

According to the Alabama Department of Education, five days after you start school (or as soon as possible if you missed this window), you must provide the name(s) and address(es) of your students enrolled at Enlightium Academy to your:

• County, or

• Local Public School Superintendent

‍

Age Requirement

Ages five or younger:

Students are not required to attend school, but they can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to get a head start and be ready for kindergarten.

Ages six through 17:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they either graduate or turn 17; this includes enrolling at  Enlightium Academy.

‍

Instructor Qualifications

The Alabama Department of Education does not require students in Option 2 to have teachers with specific credentials or qualifications. 

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 book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. 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.

‍

Required Subjects

Physical Education - The Alabama Department of Education requires private schools to include a “good faith program” of physical education. Enlightium Academy provides families with several options to complete this requirement:

• Grades PreK-2
  
  • Book-based courses
  • Offline Physical Education Elective
• Grade 3
  
  • Offline Physical Education Elective
• Grades 4-8
  
  • Health Quest course
  • Offline Physical Education Elective
• Grades 9-12
  
  • High School Health
  • Offline Physical Education Elective
  • Physical Education course

‍

Standardized Assessment

The Alabama Department of Education does not require a standardized test for students enrolled at Enlightium. However, Enlightium Academy requires students to take an annual assessment to keep track of how students are progressing. Enlightium provides the following options per grade level:

• Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment. We recommend the IXL diagnostic assessment, as it provides more flexibility in scheduling and does not have an additional fee.

• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT. and/or ACT

‍

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Alabama; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Students must abide by state regulations. 

‍

Keep a portfolio

Under Option 2, families need to keep the following documentation:

• Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with progress reports via email. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.

You may also need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include the following:

• Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
• Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide academic plans during the admission process for each of our four divisions of grades: 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 at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.
• 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, Outstanding Improvement, 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 Alabama 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 in Alabama to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.

‍

Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?

1. Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
2. If you have any questions:
   
   1. Chat with a team member
   2. Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.

‍

Since 2003, Enlightium Academy has supported K–12 students in online, book-based, hybrid, and partner schools. Our dedicated faculty and staff, in collaboration with parents, deliver high-quality instruction and individualized learning. We focus on developing each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being.

To find out if Enlightium is the right school for your family, schedule an appointment, call (509) 319-2288, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com. 

We review state requirements and regulations annually; however, each state may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your state board of education.

‍

Sources reviewed in January 2025:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.alabamaachieves.org/