What is an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)?
October 30, 2025
Hillary Benedict, M.S.
Some states may require families to submit an IHIP. Additionally, New York families that have filed an intent to homeschool with their local school district superintendent (also known as the Superintendent of Schools) and are enrolled with Enlightium Academy must submit an IHIP to the state.
What is an IHIP?
An Individualized Home Instruction Plan, or IHIP for short, is a report provided to the state that may include:
- A syllabus for each subject
- Curriculum materials
- Textbooks/ebooks to be used, including the name, publisher, and copyright data
- A course’s scope and sequence of instruction
- Student progress percentage and score (this can be covered by a report card)
- Annual assessment information
How do I know if I need to submit an IHIP for my student?
For states that require an IHIP, when a student is withdrawn from a school and the family identifies Enlightium Academy as the new school, the previous school should provide a packet to the family, which will include the IHIP. The packet should provide directions for submission and a template IHIP.
To see if your state requires an IHIP, you can check our state blogs and/or do more research online. If you find details about the IHIP, consider speaking to your local school district superintendent. If you do not see anything about an IHIP requirement, your family most likely does not need to submit an IHIP.
How often do I have to submit an IHIP?
An IHIP will likely need to be submitted once a year, although the IHIP may require quarterly report cards to show a student’s progress throughout the year. Families can speak to their local school district superintendent for direction.
How do I start the process of creating an IHIP?
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to fill out all forms required by their state and/or school district. Enlightium counselors are available to assist parents and guide them in the right direction with gathering the required information, but cannot fill out the form itself.
How can I request help creating an IHIP?
An IHIP requires extensive documentation. Please reach out to your student’s counselor as soon as possible if you have questions about the information you need to gather. Counselors are able to provide the following:
- A generic non-state-specific form for the parent to fill out
- A “Time Spent in the Curriculum” report
- A link to information about Enlightium’s curriculum
- Other information, as applicable
If you need to find information about a specific teacher, please look for a Smore sent to the student.
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 (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
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About The Author
Ms. Benedict graduated with a Master of Science degree in School Counseling in 2019. During her time there, she became invested in working with high school students on social-emotional issues, particularly anxiety, and post-secondary planning. She began working with Enlightium Academy in 2019. She is state and ACSI-certified.
Ms. Benedict graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in English. While she was in the business world, she began volunteering with the youth program at her church and teaching Junior Achievement classes in local elementary schools. This fostered her passion for encouraging and working with students and led her to attend Eastern Washington University. She believes in fostering nurturing, encouraging relationships with students and parents, and loves seeing students grow through cooperation and learning self-advocacy.
In her free time, Ms. Benedict loves taking long walks with Hank, her golden retriever, reading, spending time with her friends and family, writing, baking, and trying new foods and recipes.
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We love Enlightium!
This was our first year with Enlightium Academy and I love it for my daughter! She has grown so much spiritually and academically! The weight of having to do it all has been lifted since I have 3 small children as well. We feel supported in our homeschool life!
Brittany R.
Greatest homeschooling program
This program is really focused on a good education for your kids.
Kristen S.
We went from discouraged to "We can do this!!"
The ability to adapt to our child’s learning challenges made for a smooth transition bringing joy that she is actually learning now and retaining the knowledge. We can not wait to tackle another year!
L. Allen
Love the curriculum
Love the curriculum. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Any technical issues are resolved almost immediately and the billing department has excellent customer service
EA Parent
We love Enlightium!
This was our first year with Enlightium Academy and I love it for my daughter! She has grown so much spiritually and academically! The weight of having to do it all has been lifted since I have 3 small children as well. We feel supported in our homeschool life!
Brittany R.
Greatest homeschooling program
This program is really focused on a good education for your kids.
Kristen S.
We went from discouraged to "We can do this!!"
The ability to adapt to our child’s learning challenges made for a smooth transition bringing joy that she is actually learning now and retaining the knowledge. We can not wait to tackle another year!
L. Allen
Love the curriculum
Love the curriculum. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Any technical issues are resolved almost immediately and the billing department has excellent customer service
EA Parent
Prayers answered!
This education option has blessed our lives in so many ways. We will forever be grateful to Enlightium Academy.
Marman
A wonderful experience
Enlightium academy has helped me so much in the homeschooling of my son. They have worked with our scheduling and been there with answers to any questions we've had. They have made this a wonderful experience.
Mandy
My kids are making way better grades
I love the curriculum given to my kids and the teachers are very helpful. My kids are making way better grades with this program then they did in public school.
Michael
Everything I was looking for
Enlightium Academy ended up being everything I was looking for. It offers a good, flexible curriculum that truly accommodates my schedule without sacrificing learning. Most importantly, they teach the Bible in such an amazing way. It’s just perfect—I don’t regret being part of this school for a moment.
Diliana S.
Prayers answered!
This education option has blessed our lives in so many ways. We will forever be grateful to Enlightium Academy.
Marman
A wonderful experience
Enlightium academy has helped me so much in the homeschooling of my son. They have worked with our scheduling and been there with answers to any questions we've had. They have made this a wonderful experience.
Mandy
My kids are making way better grades
I love the curriculum given to my kids and the teachers are very helpful. My kids are making way better grades with this program then they did in public school.
Michael
Everything I was looking for
Enlightium Academy ended up being everything I was looking for. It offers a good, flexible curriculum that truly accommodates my schedule without sacrificing learning. Most importantly, they teach the Bible in such an amazing way. It’s just perfect—I don’t regret being part of this school for a moment.
Diliana S.
