How Arizona 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 Arizona Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states; however, with the freedom to educational opportunities 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 Arizona's requirements.

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. 

‍

Arizona’s Requirements at a Glance

Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? = Yes. However, if an ESA is being used for the student, there is no need to notify the state.*

State Educational Funds = Yes

Academic Calendar Requirement = No

Reporting Age Requirement = 6-16

Instructor Qualifications = No

Required Subjects = Yes

Standardized Assessment = No

Immunization Requirement = No

Keep a Portfolio = Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Arizona Families = Yes

‍

Notifying the State

Unlike most states, homeschooling in Arizona is regulated at the county level and not the state level. Whether or not your family needs to notify the state will depend on whether your family is receiving funds through the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA):

• If your family is receiving funds through the ESA, you do not need to notify the state of your intent to homeschool.
• If your family is not receiving funds through the ESA, you will need to notify the state as detailed below.

Arizona families not receiving ESA funds must submit a notarized affidavit of their intent to homeschool to the county school superintendent. This only needs to be submitted one time within 30 days after starting or as soon as possible if you missed that deadline. If you move within the county, you will need to submit it again. If you no longer are enrolled at Enlightium Academy or move out of your county, you must submit a letter of termination to the county superintendent of schools within 30 days of ending your homeschool program. You will need to provide a copy of each student’s birth certificate or other proof of the student’s age and identity. Information such as names and addresses should be those of the parent or guardian. Many counties have their own unique form to submit, so your best course of action would be to research your county’s website for the form or find your county at the bottom of this page.

‍

State Educational Funds

The Arizona Department of Education provides funding through the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) to families who opt to educate their children at home. Apply now for your scholarship.

If you are an ESA scholarship recipient:

• Some or all of the tuition may be covered by the ESA
• You do not need to file an affidavit

‍

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 years old before September 1 to age 16:

Your student must attend school during that academic year. Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they turn 16 or complete 10th grade. This includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy.

‍

Instructor Qualifications

Most, if not all, Arizona counties do not require students 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

Arizona counties require the following subjects:

• Reading/Grammar
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science

The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor. Check with your county to see if there are any additional required courses.

‍

Standardized Assessment

Most, if not all, Arizona counties do not require a standardized test for students enrolled at Enlightium. However, Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per a given grade level:

• Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT

‍

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is not required in the state of Arizona, but you should have your exemptions or immunizations documented and on file. 

‍

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 progress reports via email. 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 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 the pen pal program.

‍

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Arizona 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 Arizona 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.azed.gov/ 
• https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool