How New Hampshire Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

https://www.education.nh.gov/pathways-education/home-education
https://hslda.org/legal
https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool

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 New Hampshire 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 requirements, please keep in mind that Enlightium Academy holds dual accreditation from Cognia and ACSI. This enables the Enlightium team 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 New Hampshire homeschooling requirements.

Homeschooling Options

New Hampshire students enrolled in Enlightium Academy: 

• Who are not using the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) are classified as homeschoolers under New Hampshire law. This is the majority of students.
• Who are using Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) are not considered home-educated students under New Hampshire law, even if learning at home. They are classified as private school students receiving EFA funding; therefore, they follow private school procedures rather than homeschool laws.

New Hampshire’s Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

If you are utilizing Education Freedom Accounts funding, do NOT complete the steps in the “Notifying the State” section; instead, reference the “State Education Funds section below.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Education, you must submit a notice of intent to homeschool to a participating agency; while you have several options, the simplest route would be to fill out and email this Notice of Intent to the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education at homeeducation@doe.nh.gov. The notice only needs to be submitted once:

• Within five days of starting courses under the umbrella of Enlightium Academy (or right away if you missed this window), or
• Immediately, if moving to a new school district, private school, or other alternative education option

The notice must include the following for each student enrolled in Enlightium Academy:

• Name
• Address
• Birthdate

If you withdraw from Enlightium Academy, please provide a written notice within 15 days of termination to a participating agency. If you move districts, be sure to notify a participating agency. In either instance, while you have several options, the simplest route would be to fill out and email this Notification of Termination of a Home Education Program to the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education at homeeducation@doe.nh.gov.

State Educational Funds

Education Freedom Accounts (EFA)

Enlightium is an approved provider for New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Accounts through the Children's Scholarship Fund. Eligible families participating for the full school year may receive $3,700 or more each year per student, depending on various factors. Funds can be used for approved educational expenses, including tuition and fees at Enlightium Academy. 

If your student is approved and your family uses the EFA, you should not submit the notice of intent as outlined in the “Notifying the State” section above; instead, the scholarship organization will report to the state on your behalf. 

Please note that students who apply for the EFA after July 15th each year may receive reduced funding. Enlightium Academy cannot guarantee award amounts.

Enlightium is also an approved provider for New Hampshire’s Education Tax Credit Scholarships, also managed by the Children’s Scholarship Fund. ETC scholarships are awarded to students struggling in public schools, and awards are based on a variety of criteria.

Families interested in either Education Freedom Accounts or Education Tax Credit Scholarships should visit the Children’s Scholarship Fund website to learn more and apply, then email billing@enlightiumacademy.com to learn more about how to use these funds at Enlightium.

Town Tuitioning Program

Students in New Hampshire who live in a town without a public school serving their grade level may be eligible for tuition assistance from their local school district through the Town Tuitioning Program.

Eligible schools must: 

• Report student performance progress to the state.
• Administer a nationally recognized standardized assessment.

Learn more about New Hampshire’s Town Tuitioning Program by clicking here. 

The exact steps families should take to use the Town Tuitioning Program funds at Enlightium vary depending on the school district. Families interested in attending Enlightium Academy using the Town Tuitioning Program should start by discussing this option with their local school district. The general steps to start would be:

1. Confirm with your local school district that your student meets the eligibility requirements and that the district is willing to cover your student’s tuition at Enlightium Academy, and determine what steps your district needs you to take to use this program.
2. Reach out to Enlightium’s billing department at billing@enlightiumacademy.com or 509-350-2668 to discuss your district’s requirements.

Please note that the primary parent listed on the enrollment form is still ultimately responsible for the student’s tuition, regardless of how the parent plans to pay for the tuition. The primary parent is therefore responsible for confirming whether the specific services purchased from Enlightium Academy are eligible expenses and for making other arrangements for any balances not covered by the school choice funding program.

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 30:

They must attend school during that academic year; this includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they turn 18 years old or receive a high school diploma or its equivalent.

If your student graduates before the age of 18, you must inform the Department of Education.

Instructor Qualifications

The New Hampshire Department of Education does not require 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 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.

Required Subjects

The New Hampshire Department of Education requires the following subjects, over the course of the child’s education, but does not state during which grades they need to be taken:

• Reading/Language/Writing/Spelling
• Government/History/the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States
• Mathematics
• Science
• Health
• Exposure to and appreciation of art and music

Standardized Assessment

The New Hampshire Department of Education requires students to be evaluated annually. As Enlightium Academy also requires students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade to take an assessment, New Hampshire families enrolled at Enlightium can do the following:

• Grades PreK-8: Take the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; tests cover the required material and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
• Grades 9-12: Follow guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT

New Hampshire families have additional options for an evaluation, though they generally will not pursue them. These include a written evaluation by a certified teacher, an assessment test used by the resident district, or an evaluation agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency. 

Keep a portfolio

You are required to maintain the following records for two years:

• Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
• Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.

You may 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:

• 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).
• 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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.

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 book-based program 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 August 2025:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-instructional-support/office-of-assessment

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