How Minnesota Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

https://hslda.org/legal
https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool
https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/nphs/home/

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 Minnesota 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!

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

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

Homeschooling Options

Minnesota families who enroll with Enlightium are legally classified as homeschoolers. 

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.

Minnesota’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

Families homeschooling with Enlightium must submit the initial and annual reporting forms to the superintendent of their local school district by October 1 each school year, or within 15 days of withdrawing their child from public school. 

Initial Notification (when your child turns seven or you start homeschooling):

Below is the information to submit using the Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Nonpublic Schools (including homeschools)*:

• Child’s name, birth date, and address
• Instructor name(s)
  
  • Students in the Online and Sapphire Live Program - you will receive a welcome letter from each of your student’s teachers
  • Students in the Book-Based Program - you will be your student’s teacher
• Proof of teacher qualifications (if required)
  
  • Students in the Online and Sapphire Live Program - you will receive a welcome letter from each of your student’s teachers; if the credentials are not provided in the welcome email, please reply back to request their credentials for state-reporting purposes
  • Students in the Book-Based Program - you will be your student’s teacher
• Annual test you’ll use (see “Standardized Assessment” section below)
• Immunization record (at age seven and again in 7th grade) or exemption form (see “Immunization Requirement” section below)
  

Each Subsequent Year:
Submit a Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling* by October 1, updating any changes from the initial notification. Please note the following age requirements:

• If you began homeschooling at Enlightium before your student turned 16 years old, you must submit the Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form* until the student turns 16.
• If you began homeschooling at Enlightium when your student was 16, you must submit the Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form* until the student turns 17.
• If you began homeschooling at Enlightium when your student was 17 or 18, it does not appear that you need to submit the Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form.
  

If You Move to a New School District in Minnesota:
Notify your new district within 15 days.

Conclusion

*Both forms can be found here. As a reminder:

• For your initial notification to the state, use the Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Schools (including homeschools) by October 1 of each year or within 15 days of withdrawing from a public school
• For each subsequent notification to the state, use the Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form by October 1 of each year 

State Educational Funds

There are no state educational funds for homeschooling families using religious programs at this time.

Age Requirement

Ages six 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 seven through 17:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they graduate or turn 17. This includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.

Instructor Qualifications

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, if anyone other than the parent/guardian is teaching the student, they need to have one of the following:

• Receive supervision by a licensed teacher
• A Minnesota teaching license relevant to the grade levels and subjects they are teaching
• Complete the teacher competency exam
• Teach in an accredited school or a school recognized by the state board**
• Hold a baccalaureate degree

**Enlightium teachers fulfill this requirement and may fulfill additional requirements.

If the parent/guardian is teaching their own children, they are automatically qualified.

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 Minnesota Department of Education requires the following subjects:

• Reading/Writing/Literature
• Math
• History/Geography/Economics/Government/Citizenship
• Science
• Fine Arts
• Health
• Physical Education

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

Standardized Assessment

The Minnesota Department of Education and Enlightium require students to have a standardized assessment every year starting in 1st grade. 

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• 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

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Minnesota; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Minnesota requires that families report immunization to the superintendent of their local school district at age seven and in grade seven. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunization but may request a copy for our records, as we serve homeschooled students but must abide by state regulations. 

You may find the Minnesota state exemption form here. To complete an immunization exemption form, the state of Minnesota requires you to be eligible under one of the following:

1. Medical Exemption: If immunization is medically contraindicated for a child, or if there is laboratory confirmation that a child is already immune to certain diseases against which immunization is normally required, the student may submit a statement to this effect, signed by a healthcare provider, in order to be considered exempt from the contraindicated or unnecessary immunization.
   
   
2. Non-Medical: If a child's parent or guardian, or the child (in the case of an emancipated minor), wishes to be exempt, based on their beliefs, from one or more immunization requirements, the parent or child may submit a statement to this effect, signed by the submitting person and notarized.

Keep a Portfolio

The Minnesota Department of Education specifically requires your family to show evidence of the following:

• The required subjects listed above are being taken. Enlightium families receive a report card after each quarter, which will show which courses were taken. 
• Evidence of required tests being taken. This likely refers to the standardized assessment, which Enlightium administers each Spring and sends families their students’ test scores via email.
• Class schedules. Your student’s counselor will provide an email with the course schedule for the year.
• Materials used in courses. This information is available with Enlightium’s scope and sequences. 
• A description of the methods used to identify student achievement. This information can be found with Enlightium’s assignment weighting and grading scale.

You may also need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, 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.
• 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).
• 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_1.asp
• https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/exemption.html

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