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. 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 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 the 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! 

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.

‍

New York’s 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 names 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 Englightium families at this time.

‍

Quarterly Reports

The New York State Education Department requires 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 progress@enlightiumacademy.com 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 that Enlightium Academy has already assigned 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 that Enlightium Academy has already assigned 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 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 parents’ 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 Book-Based Program use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live Program use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. 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.

‍

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 the pen pal program.

‍

The Enlightium Parents App with a Group Just for New York 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 York to inform and support each other in fulfilling your 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 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.

‍

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