How New York Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

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. 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 New York State Education Department, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; however, with a 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.

New York’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Does the Parent Need to Notify the State?

Yes

State Educational Funds

Not available at this time

Academic Calendar Requirement

Yes

Reporting Age Requirement

6-16/17

Instructor Qualifications

No

Required Subjects

Yes

Standardized Assessment

Yes - starting in grade 1

Immunization Requirement

No

Keep a Portfolio

Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for New York Families

Yes

Notifying the State

The New York State Education Department requires homeschooling families to submit a notice of intent by July 1 or within fourteen days of starting courses at Enlightium Academy:

• Families living in New York City: submit to the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Homeschooling
• All other New York families: Inform your local school district superintendent

Upon submission of the letter of intent to homeschool, you should receive an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) form from your school district superintendent. The form must be completed and returned by August 15 or within four weeks. The IHIP should include:

• The student’s name
• The student’s age
• The student’s grade level
• A list of your syllabi; Enlightium families can use the scope and sequence
• The curriculum material; Enlightium families can use the supply lists
• The curriculum textbooks; Enlightium families can use supply lists and/or scope and sequence
• Dates for submission of quarterly reports; Enlightium families can schedule these with the state for any time, but it may be ideal to schedule them for after report cards are released
• The name of those who are giving instruction
  • Enlightium families with students in the Online Program, Sapphire Live Program, or Hybrid Program can find teacher contact information on the Knowledge Base
  • Enlightium families with students in the Homeschool Program can put their own name as the instructor

If it is not approved, you will have 15 days to submit a revised IHIP form. Your student’s Enlightium Academy counselor can help with answering some questions about meeting New York state requirements. If further appeal is needed, your local school district superintendent should provide you with more information. See Enlightium’s article “What is an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)?” for more details.

State Educational Funds

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

Quarterly Reports

The New York State Education Department requires homeschooling families to submit reports every 2-3 months, with the last one being by June 30th, which include:

• The number of hours logged in during that quarter; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for that report.
• A description of the material covered in each course; use the scope and sequence and/or screenshots of the student’s work.
• A grade in each subject; use the report cards sent each quarter.

Academic Calendar

Grades Pre-kindergarten - Kindergarten:

No hourly requirement is defined.

Grades 1-6:

The New York State Education Department requires 900 hours of instruction each school year, which is five hours of instruction each day for 180 days.

Grades 7-12:

The New York State Education Department requires 990 hours of instruction each school year, which is less than six hours of instruction each day for 180 days.

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.

Required Subjects

Over the course of grades Kindergarten-8:

• U.S. History and Constitution
• New York History and Constitution

Over the course of grades Kindergarten-12:

• Patriotism and citizenship
• Substance abuse*
• Traffic safety (including bike safety)*
• Fire safety*

*Included in the High School Health course.

Grades Pre-kindergarten - Kindergarten:

The courses Enlightium Academy already assigns should cover all state requirements for courses.

Grades 1-6:

The New York State Education Department requires the following subjects:

• English/Reading/Spelling/Writing
• Geography/U.S. History
• Arithmetic
• Science
• Health
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Physical Education

Grades 7-8

The New York State Education Department requires the following subjects:

• English
• History/Geography
• Mathematics
• Science
• Physical Education
• Health
• Art
• Music
• Practical arts
• Library skills

Grades 9-12:

The courses Enlightium Academy already assigns for graduation requirements should cover all state requirements for courses.

Standardized Assessment

By June 30th, the New York State Education Department requires the following of students in grades 1-12:

• Grades 1-3 - Choose one of the following options:
  • Provide a written narrative evaluation for your student.
  • Take the Iowa Complete standardized assessment; available at Enlightium Academy during the fourth quarter of each school year.
• Grades 4-8 - Choose one of the following options:
  • Provide a written narrative evaluation for your student; this can only be done every other year.
  • Take the Iowa Complete standardized assessment; available at Enlightium Academy during the fourth quarter of each school year.
• Grades 9-12 - Take a college preparatory assessment

Immunization Requirement

There are no immunization requirements for homeschooled students in the state of New York. However, only those students who have been vaccinated consistent with Public Health Law §2164 or have a valid medical exemption will be allowed to attend State tests (e.g. 3-8 State assessment and Regents examination) held at the brick-and-mortar school. You should have your exemptions or immunizations documented and on file.

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 December 1:

They 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 they graduate or at least the last day of the academic year in which they turn 16 years old.

Instructor Qualifications

The New York State Education Department 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 Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-12) 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.

Keep a Portfolio

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 the following:

• Attendance - 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.
• 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 spelling bees.

The Enlightium Parents App with a Group Just for New York 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 New York 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.

Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. 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 December of 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.nysed.gov/nonpublic-schools/home-instruction
• https://nyshealthfoundation.org/2019/08/19/back-to-school-pencils-books-vaccines/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrVfT6WBzq0urDdbZ_mV0QlooNBehf175CrTb0xL6gyGPUKbg7KrQmUaAuhMEALw_wcB