How New York 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 co-op schools, online students, and homeschooled K-12 students since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the New York State Education Department, as educational policies are subject to change over time. Once enrolled at Enlightium Academy, join our New York Group in Enlightium’s Parents app to connect with New York families.

Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family.

New York’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Does the parent need to notify the state?	Yes
State Educational Funds	Not available at this time
Academic Calendar Requirement	Yes
Reporting Age Requirement	6
Instructor Qualifications	No
Required Subjects	Yes
Standardized Assessment	Yes - starting in grade 1
Immunization Requirement	No
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for New York Families	Yes

Notifying the State

The New York State Education Department requires homeschooling families to submit a notice of intent by July 1 or within fourteen days of starting courses at Enlightium Academy:

Families living in New York City: submit to the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Homeschooling
All other New York families: Inform your local school district superintendent

Upon submission of the letter of intent to homeschool, you should receive an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) form from your school district superintendent. The form must be completed and returned as soon as possible or within four weeks. If it is not approved, you will have 15 days to submit a revised IHIP form. Your student’s Enlightium Academy counselor can help with meeting New York state requirements. If further appeal is needed, your local school district superintendent should provide you with more information. See Enlightium’s article “What is an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)?” for more details.

State Educational Funds

No state educational funds are available for homeschooling families at this time.

Quarterly Reports

The New York State Education Department requires homeschooling families to submit reports every 2-3 months, with the last one being by June 30th, which include:

The number of hours logged in during that quarter; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for that report.
A description of the material covered in each course; use the scope and sequence and/or screenshots of the student’s work.
A grade in each subject; use the report cards sent each quarter.

Academic Calendar

Grades Pre-kindergarten - Kindergarten:

No hourly requirement is defined.

Grades 1-6:

The New York State Education Department requires 900 hours of instruction each school year, which is five hours of instruction each day for 180 days.

Grades 7-12:

The New York State Education Department requires 990 hours of instruction each school year, which is less than six hours of instruction each day for 180 days.

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

Over the course of grades Kindergarten-8:

Over the course of grades Kindergarten-12:

*Included in the High School Health course.

Grades Pre-kindergarten - Kindergarten:

The courses Enlightium Academy already assigns should cover all state requirements for courses.

Grades 1-6:

The New York State Education Department requires the following subjects:

Grades 7-8

The New York State Education Department requires the following subjects:

Grades 9-12:

The courses Enlightium Academy already assigns for graduation requirements should cover all state requirements for courses.

Standardized Assessment

By June 30th, the New York State Education Department requires the following of students in grades 1-12:

Grades 1-3 - Choose one of the following options:
- Provide a written narrative evaluation for your student.
- Take the Iowa Complete standardized assessment; available at Enlightium Academy during the fourth quarter of each school year.
Grades 4-8 - Choose one of the following options:
- Provide a written narrative evaluation for your student; this can only be done every other year.
- Take the Iowa Complete standardized assessment; available at Enlightium Academy during the fourth quarter of each school year.
Grades 9-12 - Take a college preparatory assessment

Immunization Requirement

There are no immunization requirements for homeschooled students in the state of New York. However, only those students who have been vaccinated consistent with Public Health Law §2164 or have a valid medical exemption will be allowed to attend State tests (e.g. 3-8 State assessment and Regents examination) held at the brick-and-mortar school.

Age Requirement

Ages five or younger:

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.

Aged six on or before December 1:

They must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent's choice until they graduate or at least the last day of the academic year in which they turn 16 years old.

Keep a Portfolio

You may 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:

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.
Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the registration process - 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 spelling bees.

Enlightium Parents App with Group for New York Families

Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in New York to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements.

Your family will be automatically 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:
1. Chat with a team member
2. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. 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.

Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.

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

Sources reviewed in August 2023: