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 Ohio Department of Education, 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!
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Ohio’s requirements.
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.
Homeschooling Options
In Ohio, families enrolling with Enlightium Academy typically follow the state’s homeschool option, with parents acting as the primary educators and submitting an annual notification to their local school district. Instruction may be provided using a chosen curriculum, including online programs like Enlightium Academy.
Ohio’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
Homeschooling Options = Option 1: Homeschooling under Ohio’s homeschool statute
State Educational Funds = Yes
Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? = Yes
Academic Calendar Requirement = No
Reporting Age Requirement = 6-18
Instructor Qualifications = No
Required Subjects = Yes
Standardized Assessment = Required by Enlightium
Immunization Requirement = Not Required to Submit
Keep a Portfolio = Recommended
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Ohio Families = Yes
Notifying the State
Under Option 1, the parent would need to follow the homeschooling requirements of submitting a notice of intent to the resident school district superintendent by August 30th every year or within five calendar days of starting home education, moving into a new school district, or withdrawing from a public or nonpublic school. You can also find a sample notice of intent to homeschool here.
State Educational Funds
Tax credits may apply; please consult with your tax professional for guidance.
Academic Calendar
The Ohio State Department of Education does not require a minimum number of hours of instruction each school year. 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.
Age Requirement
Ages five or younger:
Students are not required to attend school, but they can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to get a head start and be ready for kindergarten.
Aged six on or before the first day of school in the local school district:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they turn 18 years old. Families may fulfill this requirement through homeschooling, including the use of a curriculum provider such as Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
Ohio does not require parents to provide home instruction to hold teaching credentials. However, the parent or guardian must attest that they are qualified to supervise and monitor their child’s education.
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.
*For students living in the U.S., this does not necessarily mean that their teachers are certified in the student’s state of residence, but instead in the teacher’s state of residence. For most states, this distinction is not important to the student’s academics.
Required Subjects
Under Option 1, the Ohio Department of Education requires home education students to take the following subjects:
The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor.
Standardized Assessment
The Ohio Department of Education does not require a standardized test for homeschooled students. However, Enlightium requires and provides multiple assessment options to see how your student is progressing per a given grade level:
- Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT
Immunization Requirement
Ohio does not require homeschool students to submit immunization records to the state. However, families should maintain vaccination or exemption records, especially if their child later enrolls in a public or private school.
Keep a Portfolio
Ohio law does not require families to maintain or submit records such as attendance or portfolios. However, many families choose to keep records for personal tracking or future school transitions. Enlightium recommends you 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 involvement in the Student Council.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Ohio 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 Ohio 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?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- 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 June 2026:
