How Filipino 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 countries’ requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their country’s requirements at hslda.org/legal/international and/or the Philippines 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 is a U.S.-based school and holds dual accreditation through Cognia and ACSI. Although not registered in the Philippines, 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 the Philippines’ requirements.

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Homeschooling Options

Homeschooling in the Philippines is offered through the Department of Education (DepEd) Homeschooling Program. Families may also choose an independent approach by enrolling in a non-DepEd-accredited program, such as Enlightium Academy. In this case, Enlightium serves as a curriculum provider, and parents are responsible for meeting any local education requirements. 

Because Enlightium Academy is a U.S.-based private school and not a DepEd-accredited provider, families in the Philippines use it as an independent curriculum option. As a result, the student’s education may not automatically be recognized within the Philippine education system. Families are responsible for confirming how their child’s education will be validated or recognized locally.

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The Philippines’ Requirements at a Glance

Does the Parent Need to Notify the Country? = No, but should check with the Department of Education 

Educational Funds = No

Academic Calendar Requirement = Not specified

Ages of Compulsory Attendance = 5-17/18

Instructor Qualifications = Not specified

Required Subjects = Not specified

Standardized Assessment = Required by Enlightium

Immunization Requirement = Not specified

Keep a Portfolio = Recommended

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Filipino Families = Yes

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Notifying the Country

Enlightium Academy is not a Philippines Department of Education (DepEd)-recognized homeschooling provider in the Philippines. Families who independently enroll in a non-DepEd-accredited program are not part of the official DepEd Homeschooling Program and therefore do not follow its formal enrollment process. 

However, Enlightium is a U.S.-based accredited private Christian school, accredited by Cognia and ACSI. Families in the Philippines who enroll with Enlightium should check with their local DepEd office or a local education professional to determine whether any local reporting, validation, or documentation steps are needed. 

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Educational Funds

No educational funds are available for Enlightium families at this time.

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Calendar Requirements

The Philippines maintains an official academic calendar for DepEd schools and accredited homeschooling programs. Families using an independent, non-DepEd-accredited program such as Enlightium Academy are not automatically subject to these calendar requirements. However, they should ensure their student receives a full academic year of instruction consistent with general education expectations.

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 Philippines has required learning areas within its K–12 basic education system, including subjects such as Filipino, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Values Education, Music, Arts, Physical Education, Health, and technology/livelihood-related courses. 

Since Enlightium Academy is a U.S.-based accredited private school and not a DepEd-recognized homeschooling provider, families should follow Enlightium’s course requirements while also confirming with local Philippine authorities whether additional documentation or subject validation is needed.

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Standardized Assessment

The Philippines’ DepEd Homeschooling Program may require students to participate in national assessments such as the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and the National Achievement Test (NAT). These requirements do not automatically apply to students enrolled in an independent, non-DepEd-accredited program. However, families should confirm with local authorities whether any assessment or validation may be required.

Additionally, 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

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Immunization Requirement

Families enrolling in Enlightium Academy are not enrolling in a DepEd-recognized homeschooling program, so Philippine school-based immunization requirements may not directly apply. However, the Philippines does maintain routine childhood immunization guidance and school-based immunization programs for students enrolled in Philippine schools. 

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Age Requirement

Families in the Philippines are expected to provide basic education beginning with Kindergarten, which is for children at least five years old and is required before entering Grade 1. Basic education continues through the K–12 system, which includes elementary, junior high school, and senior high school. Students typically complete compulsory basic education around age 17 or 18. 

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Instructor Qualifications

There do not appear to be specific Philippine instructor qualification requirements for families who independently enroll their student in a U.S.-based private school like Enlightium Academy. Parents or guardians remain responsible for supervising and supporting their child’s education.

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 textbook Christian curricula from BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use the Ignitia digital Christian curriculum or Enlightium’s custom online curriculum. All programs include 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.

*For students living in the U.S., this does not necessarily mean that their teachers are certified in the student’s state of residence, but instead in the teacher’s state of residence. For most states, this distinction is not important to the student’s academics.

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Keep a Portfolio

Portfolio and recordkeeping requirements may apply within the DepEd Homeschooling Program. Families using an independent, non-DepEd-accredited program are not subject to formal portfolio requirements but are strongly encouraged to maintain academic records. These records may be important for school transfers, credential evaluation, or university admissions.

Additionally, Enlightium recommends keeping a digital record every year, 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.

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The Enlightium Parents App with a Group Just for Filipino 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 the Philippines to inform and support each other in fulfilling their country’s 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 Academy has supported K–12 students in online, book-based, 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 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 May of 2026:

• https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2013/ra_10533_2013.html 
• https://www.deped.gov.ph/2022/02/10/deped-strengthens-homeschooling-program-implementation-regulation/ 
• https://www.depedncr.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/RM-No.-570-s.-2025-Homeschooling-Program.pdf 
• https://hslda.org/post/philippines