How Massachusetts Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool
https://www.doe.mass.edu/homeschool/
https://hslda.org/legal

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 state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 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!

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQWLn8DLDz0 

Homeschooling Options

Massachusetts families who enroll with Enlightium are legally considered homeschoolers and must secure local approval of their home education plan. 

Massachusetts’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires homeschooling families to contact their school district annually. This can be done at the start of the school year or around the time of enrollment at Enlightium Academy.

You can follow these steps when working with your school district:

1. Contact your local school district regarding your intent to homeschool using Enlightium Academy. Technically, you are not providing a notice, but seeking approval from your district to homeschool. Consider completing this task via email so that you have a paper trail.
2. The school district will provide your family with the district’s homeschooling policies and the process for approval. They will likely then ask you to submit a homeschooling plan and/or provide you with a specific form.
3. As each district may vary, you may need to use some or all of the resources below. Anything not provided below may be found on Enlightium’s Knowledge Base.
4. The school district will review everything and provide you with the next steps. If you experience any modification requests that you are unsure how to address, please contact your student’s Enlightium counselor.

Resources:

• The curriculum utilized
  
  • Grades PreK-2 use a book-based curriculum
  • Grades 3-9 can use a book-based curriculum or an online text-based curriculum
  • Grades 10-12 use an online text-based curriculum
• Samples of the curriculum
• Number of hours of instruction
  
  • Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 210 days with summer school). 
  • Students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
• Instructor competency; see “Instructor Qualifications” below for details
• The method of assessment used; see “Standardized Assessment” below for options

State Educational Funds

No state educational funds are available for homeschooling families at this time.

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 to 16:

Students must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until at least the academic year in which they turn 16 years old or graduate.

Instructor Qualifications

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not require homeschool students to have teachers with specific credentials or 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 Book-Based Program (grades PreK-9) use textbook Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use the Ignitia digital Christian curriculum (grades 3-12) or Enlightium’s custom online curriculum (available to select grade levels). Students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-12) 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.

Required Subjects

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires the following subjects but does not state during which grades they need to be taken:

• Language Arts/Reading/Spelling/Writing/English Language and Grammar
• Arithmetic
• Geography/United States History and Constitution/Duties of Citizenship
• Drawing
• Music
• Health (including CPR, which is covered in the Health Quest course available as an elective for students in grades 4-8)
• Physical Education
• “Good Behavior”, which is covered in Enlightium’s Bible courses

The first three bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor. The latter five bullet points are electives available at Enlightium Academy.

Standardized Assessment

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not require a standardized test for homeschooled students, but local districts may request assessments; see “Keep a Portfolio” below. 

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

It is recommended for Massachusetts students in grades PreK-8th gradeto take the IXL diagnostic assessment or the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment.

Keep a Portfolio

A local superintendent or school committee may require homeschooling families to provide one of the following:

• Standardized test scores - This is available through the standardized assessment scores provided by Enlightium.
• Progress reports - 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.

If requested, the most straightforward option would be for your family to provide progress reports, which Enlightium provides throughout the school year via email.

You may also need to provide your local district with additional information, so it is recommended to keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include the following:

• 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.
• 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.

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.

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.

Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and homeschool 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 EnlightiumSchool.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 May 2025:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.doe.mass.edu/homeschool/

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter76/Section1

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