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 Georgia Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; 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!
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Georgia’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.
Georgia’s Requirements at a Glance
Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? = Yes
State Educational Funds = No
Academic Calendar Requirement = Yes
Reporting Age Requirement = 6-16
Instructor Qualifications = Yes
Required Subjects = Yes
Standardized Assessment = Yes
Immunization Requirement = No
Keep a Portfolio = Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Georgia Families = Yes
Notifying the State
The Georgia Department of Education requires homeschooling families to inform the state of their intent to homeschool using this online form. This declaration must include:
- The student’s name
- The student’s age
- The location where the students are studying (likely your home)
- The 12-month period that you will be homeschooling (likely August through July, even if your student finishes in May or June)
Note the following submission dates to submit the form by:
First year of homeschooling:
Notify the state within 30 days after starting at Enlightium Academy.
Each subsequent year of homeschooling:
By September 1 or within a week of starting courses at Enlightium Academy.
State Educational Funds
No state educational funds are available for Enlightium families at this time.
Academic Calendar
The Georgia Department of Education requires 180 days of education each school year; each school day must have at least four and a half hours of learning. 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.
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.
Ages six through 16:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they turn 17 or graduate; this includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy.
Immunization Requirement
Immunization does not appear to be required for homeschooling students in the state of Georgia, but you should have your exemptions or immunizations documented and on file.
Instructor Qualifications
The Georgia Department of Education requires the parent/guardian/teacher to have a high school diploma or GED.
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 Homeschool 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 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
The Georgia Department of Education requires the following subjects:
The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor.
Standardized Assessment
The Georgia Department of Education requires students to have a standardized assessment every three years, starting at the end of the student’s third-grade year.
Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:
- Grades PreK-2: Not required, although the student may optionally take the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment
- Grades 3-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT
Keep a portfolio
You will need to keep a record of the following:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.
You will need to keep this information for at least three years, although this information does not need to be provided to the state.
Additionally, you may need to keep the following records:
- 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 them during the registration process - primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- 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 the pen pal program.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Georgia 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 Georgia 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?
- 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 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 October of 2024:
