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

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. With this freedom 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! 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. 

Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Iowa homeschooling requirements.

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Options

There are five homeschooling options in Iowa. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose to homeschool under Competent Private Instruction (CPI) Option 2 with reporting and annual assessment. The guidelines below are based on this option.

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Iowa’s Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options = Competent Private Instruction (CPI) Option 2 

State Educational Funds = No

Academic Calendar Requirement = Yes

Parent Notifies State = Yes

Age Requirement = 6-16

Instructor Qualifications = No

Subjects Required = Yes

Standardized Assessment = Yes 

Immunization Requirement = Yes, with exemptions

Keep a Portfolio = Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Iowa Families = Yes

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Notifying the State

File Form A (Competent Private Instruction Report) must be submitted annually to your resident district. This must be submitted to the resident school district by September 1 or within 14 days of starting instruction.

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State Educational Funds

There are no education funds available at this time.

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Calendar Requirement

Under this option, students must attend courses for:

• At least 148 days each school 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.
• At least 37 days per school quarter. Enlightium’s school calendar has around 45 days each school quarter.

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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 on or before September 15:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until at least the academic year in which they turn 16 years old, or they graduate. This includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy.

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Instructor Qualifications

Parents who teach their child at Enlightium Academy under CPI Option 2 are not required to hold a teaching license; however, they must ensure that their student’s progress is evaluated annually through standardized testing or by an Iowa-licensed teacher. Most families will likely pursue the standardized assessment option through Enlightium.

As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are ACSI certified and/or certified in their state of residence. 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 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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Required Subjects

Under option 2, specific courses are not required. However, the instruction provided should be aimed at ensuring the child makes “adequate progress”.

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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Standardized Assessment

The Iowa Department of Education requires a standardized test for homeschooled students annually or a portfolio review by a licensed Iowa teacher; most families will likely pursue the standardized assessment option through Enlightium. 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: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment provided in the fourth quarter of each school year. 

• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT

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Immunization Requirement

The Iowa Department of Education requires families who are new to Option 2 Competent Private Instruction to either submit immunization records or an exemption. This can be done with Form A, found here under the “Forms” section.

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Keep a Portfolio

As noted in the “Standardized Assessment” section above, each year your family will need to either have your student take an annual assessment or you will need to have your portfolio reviewed by a licensed Iowa teacher.

Most Enlightium families will likely take a standardized assessment. If you do this, keeping a portfolio is not required, but is highly recommended. You can keep the items listed below.

If you choose to have your portfolio reviewed by a licensed Iowa teacher, you will need to provide your state with some or all of the following information:

• Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with progress reports via email. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance. Keep a log verifying at least 148 days of instruction.
• 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to inform and support each other in fulfilling their state’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, 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.

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Sources reviewed in July 2025:

• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/299A.pdf 
• https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educational-choice/homeschooling 
• https://educate.iowa.gov/media/7730/download?inline