How Ecuador Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

Enlightium Academy is a 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 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 Ecuadorian 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 Ecuador’s homeschooling requirements.

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Homeschooling Options

Ecuador allows home education only through the Ministry of Education. Families residing in Ecuador who enroll in Enlightium Academy can utilize Enlightium’s accredited Christian curriculum as their primary instructional program; however, they must still complete the Ministry authorization process if they wish to be legally recognized as homeschoolers within Ecuador. 

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Ecuador’s Requirements at a Glance

Country Educational Funds = No

Parent Notifies Country = Yes

Academic Calendar Requirement = No

Subjects Required = Yes

Age Requirement = 6-14

Instructor Qualifications = Yes

Standardized Assessment = Recommended

Keep a Portfolio = Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Ecuador Families = Yes

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Country Educational Funds

There do not appear to be any educational funds in Ecuador at this time.

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Notifying the Country

Families choosing to homeschool must register through their local education district office or a recognized school authorized to supervise the home-education service. The application includes student and parent identification, the proposed learning plan, and proof that the home tutor holds at least a bachelor’s degree (preferably in education). Once approved, the student remains academically “linked” to that school, which monitors progress and reports grades to the Ministry of Education. 

To comply with Ecuadorian law, families must register their children for the “Educación en Casa” service through an authorized Ecuadorian school or district office before beginning home instruction.

Parents submit a written application that includes:

• The student’s and parents’ national ID numbers
• A short explanation of why they are choosing a home education (for record only)
• That the proposed learning plan is aligned with Ecuador’s national curriculum
• A schedule and structure consistent with Ecuador’s official academic year
• Documentation of the home tutor’s academic qualification, including a minimum of a bachelor’s degree

After approval, the supervising school coordinates periodic evaluations and ensures that the student’s education meets national standards.

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Calendar Requirements

Ecuador’s Ministry of Education does not set a specific number of instructional days for home-educated students. However, under the Lineamiento de Implementación del Servicio Educativo Extraordinario “Educación en Casa” (2020), families must structure their learning plan to follow the same academic calendar and reporting periods used by their supervising Ecuadorian school. School year options include:

• The Sierra/Amazonía (September–July) calendar - Most Enlightium students in Ecuador follow this school calendar to more closely match Enlightium’s standard school calendar.
• The Costa/Galápagos (April–February) calendar

Families enrolled with Enlightium Academy can continue using Enlightium’s flexible 180-day academic calendar, but to comply with Ecuadorian requirements, they should align progress evaluations and learning reports with their local school’s academic year.

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.

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Required Subjects

The Ministry of Education requires all home-education programs to follow Ecuador’s National Curriculum Framework (Currículo Nacional de Educación General Básica). Core areas include mathematics, language and literature (Spanish), natural sciences, social studies, physical education, and cultural studies.

Enlightium Academy’s accredited courses in English, mathematics, science, and social studies can be integrated into a family’s Educación en Casa plan, provided parents align the overall instruction with Ecuador’s required learning outcomes and report progress through their supervising school.

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.

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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 through 14:

Students must attend school; this includes homeschooling under the umbrella of Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education until they turn 15 or graduate.

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Instructor Qualifications

Under Ecuador’s Educación en Casa guidelines, the home tutor must hold at least a bachelor’s degree (título de tercer nivel) recognized by the national registry (SENESCYT). Parents may act as the tutor if they meet this requirement or may appoint a qualified educator.

Enlightium Academy’s teachers are accredited through Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), but they are not certified by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. Families remain legally responsible for designating a qualified local tutor and ensuring compliance with Ministry standards.

Students in the Book-Based Program use textbook Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use the Ignitia digital Christian curriculum or Enlightium’s custom online curriculum (available to select grade levels). Students in the Sapphire Live program use a collection of the best-vetted curriculum options by our curriculum department. 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.

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Standardized Assessment

Homeschoolers authorized under Educación en Casa are evaluated through their supervising Ecuadorian school using the national grading scale. Families using Enlightium Academy may also follow Enlightium’s annual assessments to monitor academic growth.

If students later return to a local Ecuadorian school, they must present transcripts and records for official validation (reconocimiento de estudios), which may include assessments.

Enlightium Academy also 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

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Keep a Portfolio

Keeping organized academic records is essential for Educación en Casa. Parents should maintain:

• The approved learning plan and Ministry authorization letter
• Student attendance and progress logs
• Samples of coursework and evaluations
• Enlightium report cards and transcripts (translated if needed)

These materials support both Ministry oversight and potential reconocimiento de estudios if the student re-enters Ecuador’s formal education system.

Enlightium also recommends you keep a digital record every year, which should include:

• 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 involvement in the Student Council.

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Enlightium Parents App with Group for Ecuador 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 Ecuador 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.

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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.

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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.

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Sources reviewed in November 2025:

• https://hslda.org/post/Ecuador 
• https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/20865/39/Ecuador/Education-in-Ecuador-Homeschooling-in-Ecuador 
• https://homeschoolstatus.com/country/ECU