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 country, it is a parental responsibility to check on their country’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about some country’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their country’s requirements at hslda.org/legal/international and/or the Bahamas Ministry of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in many countries; however, with the freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help! As you review your country’s homeschooling requirements, keep in mind that Enlightium Academy holds dual accreditation through Cognia and ACSI. This accreditation allows Enlightium to serve students worldwide and provides a high school diploma recognized nationally and internationally. For families living in countries that require an apostille to validate foreign educational records, Enlightium can help guide you through the apostille process should you choose to pursue official recognition of your student’s U.S. studies.
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Bahamas’s homeschooling requirements.
Bahamas’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
Country Educational Funds = No
Does the Parent Need to Notify the Country? = Unclear
Academic Calendar Requirement = Yes
Subjects Required = Unclear
Age Requirement = 5-16
Instructor Qualifications = Unclear
Standardized Assessment = Unclear
Immunization Requirement = Unclear
Keep a Portfolio = Recommended by Enlightium
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Bahamas Families = Yes
Country Educational Funds
There do not appear to be any educational funds in the Bahamas at this time.
Notifying the Country
The Bahamas Ministry of Education does not appear to require homeschooling families to notify the country.
Calendar Requirements
The Bahamas Ministry of Education requires at least 25 hours of instruction per week for at least 36 weeks in a school year.
Students work for 25 hours or more each week of the school year. Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 42 weeks), as well as around 210 days with summer school (around 47 weeks). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
Required Subjects
The Bahamas Ministry of Education does not appear to require students to take specific courses.
After you enroll/re-enroll and before your student starts courses at Enlightium Academy, your student’s counselor will send you an email with a recommended course schedule consisting of core courses and, if applicable, courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.
Age Requirement
The Bahamas Ministry of Education requires students to receive an education between the ages of five years and 16 years.
Instructor Qualifications
The Bahamas Ministry of Education does not appear to require instructors to have specific 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 and BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3–12) use the digital Christian curriculum, “Ignitia”. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) 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.
Standardized Assessment
The Bahamas Ministry of Education does not appear to require a standardized test for homeschooled students. 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
Keep a Portfolio
You may need to provide your country with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include:
- 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.
- Course plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: 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 involvement in the Student Council.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Bahamas 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 Bahamas to inform and support each other in fulfilling their country’s homeschooling requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.
Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and book-based program K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review country requirements and regulations annually; however, each country may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your country’s board of education.
Sources reviewed in July 2024:
