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

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states; however, with a 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 homeschooling requirements.

Arizona’s Homeschooling 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 to homeschool 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 stop homeschooling 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 a homeschooling 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 parent’s choice until they turn 16 or complete 10th grade.

Instructor Qualifications

Most, if not all, Arizona counties do not require homeschooled 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 Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-12) use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives 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 homeschooled students. 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 spelling bees.

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 homeschooling 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.

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 EnlightiumSchool.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