How Vermont Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

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 Vermont Agency 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 homeschooling 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 Vermont’s requirements.

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Homeschooling Options

In Vermont, families using Enlightium typically do so under the state’s Home Study program; this term is used interchangeably with “homeschooling”. Parents remain responsible for compliance and may use their own curriculum, a purchased curriculum, or an online program/academy (such as Enlightium Academy).

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Vermont’s Requirements at a Glance

Parent Notifies State = Yes

State Educational Funds = No

Academic Calendar Requirement = Yes

Reporting Age Requirement = 6-16

Instructor Qualifications = No

Subjects Required = Yes

Standardized Assessment = Yes

Immunization Requirement = No

Keep a Portfolio = Yes

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Vermont Families = Yes

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Notifying the State

The first year your family is enrolling at Enlightium Academy, you must submit two forms to the state at least ten business days before starting courses:

• 1) Home Study Enrollment (Notice of Intent Form); an online and a printable version of the form can be found here.
  
  • When submitting the form, you will need each student’s name, address, date of birth, and the school district in which he or she would be attending if they went to public school.
  • All legal custodians’ names, mailing addresses, emails, town of legal residence, and phone numbers.
  • Confirmation that the parent or guardian will meet all Home Study requirements, which can be found in the following sections:
    
    • Academic Calendar
    • Standardized Assessment
• 2) Home Study Independent Professional Evidence Form; both an online and a printable version of the form can be found here.
  
  • This form concerns any disabilities your student may have.
  • Alternatives, such as documentation of a disability, may be acceptable. Details can be found at the link above.

If the student has not previously been enrolled in a Vermont public school or Home Study:

• Include an independent professional’s evidence about any documented disability and how it may affect the student’s progress in his or her courses. 

Within ten business days of you completing and submitting both forms, the state sends a written acknowledgment; this letter is your enrollment verification for compulsory-attendance purposes. You need to keep it for your digital records.

Each following year: 

• File the Annual Notice Form; an online and a printable version of the form can be found here.

If you withdraw: 

• Notify the Secretary of Education in writing within ten business days of withdrawal. You can find details here.

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Academic Calendar

The Vermont Agency of Education requires an attestation that each child enrolled in Home Study will be provided the equivalent of at least 175 days of instruction in the minimum course of study per year.

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State Educational Funds

No state educational funds are available for Vermont families under Home Study at this time. 

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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.

Ages six through 16:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they either graduate or turn 17. This includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy.

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Instructor Qualifications

The Vermont Agency 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.

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Required Subjects

The Vermont Agency of Education requires the following subjects:

• Basic communication skills (reading, writing, etc.)/English, American, and other literature
• The “use of numbers”
• Citizenship/History/Vermont Government/U.S. Government
• Natural sciences
• Fine Arts
• Health (including effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs on the human system and society) 
• Physical Education

The first four bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and will likely already be assigned by your student’s counselor. The latter three bullet points are electives available at Enlightium Academy.

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Standardized Assessment

The Vermont Agency of Education requires students enrolled at Enligtium to complete one of five annual assessment options each year*. Of note, parents are not required to annually submit the assessment scores to the state, but do need to keep the records in their digital portfolios. 

• Grades PreK-8: As Enlightium Academy requires students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade to take an assessment, it is simplest for Vermont families enrolled at Enlightium to take the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment. The test covers the required material, and test scores are provided via email to the parent.

• Grades 9-12: Enlightium provides guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT. 

*Per Tit. 16, § 166b, alternative options include:

• A review by a Vermont-licensed teacher
• Parents’ report and portfolio (a summary and four or more work samples)
• Grades from an online academy or school
• Evidence of passing the GED

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Keep a Portfolio

A portfolio is required if you choose the portfolio assessment method. You may also 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 involvement in the Student Council.

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Enlightium Parents App with Group for Vermont 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 Vermont 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.

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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.

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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 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.

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Sources reviewed in October 2025:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-operations/home-study
• https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/16/003/00166b