Enlightium Academy is a Tennessee-approved Category III private online school offering a full-time, teacher-led educational program that students can complete from home while enjoying flexibility within the school’s instructional schedule.
School Options
What Tennessee Families Need to Know About Enrolling at Enlightium Academy
Enlightium is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Families may verify Enlightium's Tennessee status directly through the Tennessee Department of Education*.
Enlightium Academy is a Category III school. Students enrolled full-time at Enlightium Academy are enrolled in a private online school rather than registered as independent home school students. Therefore, Enlightium is responsible for maintaining the required student records and completing applicable school reporting for enrolled Tennessee students.
*The Tennessee Department of Education updates these resources periodically, so families are encouraged to use the state's current listings when verifying a school's status.
What This Means for Tennessee Families
Students enrolled full-time at Enlightium Academy:
- Are formally enrolled students of an accredited private school;
- Receive teacher-directed instruction through Enlightium Academy;
- Complete their education from home through Enlightium's flexible learning model;
- Receive academic records, report cards, transcripts, and, upon completion of graduation requirements, a diploma from Enlightium Academy; and
- Are not considered independent home school students simply because their instruction takes place at home.
Families who independently homeschool, enroll only part-time, or use a curriculum without full-time school enrollment may be subject to different state requirements*.
Learning at Enlightium Academy
Enlightium Academy offers K–12 students a full-time, teacher-led online education as a Tennessee-approved Category III private school. The program supports a variety of learning needs and offers flexibility within the school’s instructional schedule. Students complete coursework from home with instruction and academic support from Enlightium teachers and counselors.
Online Program (Grades 3-12):
- Teacher-directed instruction using online curricula such as Ignitia
- Teachers assess all student work; students submit assignments for evaluation
- Parent-supported learning in the home environment
- Asynchronous, competency-based learning (students work at their own weekly pace)
- Flexible scheduling with no mandatory attendance windows
- 24/7 access to course materials and resources
Book-Based Program (Grades PreK-5):
- Teacher-led instruction using book-based curricula such as BJU Press
- Teachers assess all student work; students submit assignments for evaluation
- Parent-supported learning in the home environment
- Asynchronous, competency-based learning (students work at their own pace)
- Flexible scheduling with no mandatory attendance windows
- 24/7 access to course materials and resources
After enrollment, Enlightium works with families to establish the student's academic plan, course placement, and graduation pathway as applicable.
Option = Category III
State Funds = Available
Notification to Local District = Completed by Enlightium
Academic Calendar Requirements = 180 Days, 6.5 Hours/Day
Age Requirement = 6-17 Years Old
Instructor Qualifications = Set by the Accrediting Agency, Fulfilled by Enlightium
Required Subjects = Yes
Standardized Assessment = Required for grades 3-11
Immunization Requirement = Immunization or Exemption Required
Portfolio = Enlightium Recommends
State Educational Funds
Tennessee families enrolled at Enlightium Academy may have access to state-funded educational programs:
- Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) Program - Awarded approximately $9,800 to each full-year* participant for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Tennessee’s Education Freedom (EFA) Scholarships - Eligible students may receive approximately $7,300.
Notification to Local District
As a category III non-public school, Enlightium Academy is responsible for student record-keeping and testing requirements. This includes reporting the names, ages, and addresses of enrolled students to the public school district each year.
Academic Calendar Requirements
Tennessee's State Board requires non-public schools to keep an operating schedule with the same minimums as public schools: 180 instructional days and 6.5 hours per day.
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. Tennessee students spend approximately 6.5–7 hours per school day on coursework and learning activities. Their program includes:
- Five core subjects—Bible, Language Arts, math, history, and science
- At least two electives of their choice, and
- Weekly instructional sessions and tutoring
Students also participate in monthly or bi-weekly clubs, monthly chapels and quarterly meets.
Age Requirements
Ages five or younger:
Five-year-olds are not required to attend school, but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for school.
Ages six through 17:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they either graduate or turn 18. These requirements are fulfilled by enrolling at Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
Tennessee leaves teacher qualifications for Category III schools to the school's accrediting agency rather than setting its own standard.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are required to have a bachelor's degree and be state and/or ACSI-certified. The majority of our faculty members hold master's degrees, and some have Doctoral degrees in their teaching assignments.
Required Subjects
As a Category III school, the instructional program must include:
These four courses should be assigned by your student’s counselor. Additionally, high school students will be assigned courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements.
Tennessee State Requirements (SBE Rule 0520-07-02-.04(3)(a)(8)(iii)(III)):
- 22 total credits
- 4 credits English Language Arts
- 4 credits Mathematics
- 3 credits Science
- 3 credits Social Studies
- Remaining credits per school discretion
Standardized Assessment
As they are enrolled in a Category III school, students in grades 3 through 11 must take a nationally standardized achievement test in English and math every year. Enlightium will share the results with parents and keep them in the student's permanent record.
Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per a given grade level:
- Grades PreK-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT
Immunization or Exemption
Tennessee requires students enrolling in public, private, and church-related schools to provide proof of the required immunizations or a valid medical or religious exemption.
Tennessee allows both religious and medical exemptions. Parents may submit a signed written statement if immunization conflicts with their religious beliefs. Medical exemptions require documentation from an authorized healthcare provider. Religious exemptions do not apply during an epidemic or the immediate threat of an epidemic.
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:
- 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.
Tennessee Requirements and Resources
Tennessee laws, procedures, and education programs may change over time. Families may refer to the Tennessee Department of Education for the most current information regarding non-public schools and state-specific requirements. Families are encouraged to review Tennessee's official resources and contact Enlightium Academy if they have questions about how a requirement relates to their student's enrollment.
Official Tennessee Resources
- Tennessee Department of Education — Non-Public Schools
- Tennessee Department of Education — Accredited Online Schools List
- Tennessee Non-Public School Category Descriptions
- Tennessee State Board — Category II and III Accrediting Agencies
Tennessee Families Parent Group
Within the Enlightium Parents app, there is a dedicated group for Tennessee families. This community helps families:
- Understand Tennessee's non-public school requirements
- Share experiences and support one another
- Access state-specific resources and guidance
- Connect with other Enlightium families in Tennessee
You will receive a link to download the Enlightium Parents app after enrolling.
Ready to Learn More and Enroll?
Families interested in enrolling at Enlightium Academy can explore our K–12 programs and begin the enrollment process through EnlightiumAcademy.com.
Our enrollment team is available to answer questions about programs, placement, tuition, and enrolling a Tennessee student at Enlightium Academy.
About Enlightium Academy
Since 2003, Enlightium Academy has supported K–12 students in online, book-based, hybrid, and partner school models. Our dedicated faculty and staff, in collaboration with parents, deliver high-quality instruction and individualized learning, focusing on developing each student's academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Enlightium Academy is accredited by Cognia and ACSI, recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education as a Category III non-public school, and serves families across all 50 states seeking flexible, teacher-directed, accredited education.
Questions about Enlightium Academy? Contact us:
- Email: consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
- Chat: EnlightiumAcademy.com
- Enrollment hotline: (866) 488-4818, option 2
