January: Engaging Minds, Honoring Legacies, and Continuous Professional Development
January 14, 2026
January 14, 2026
January is an important month during which your team will prepare for the end of the first semester.
The month of January kicks off with educational excitement as students participate in ACSI-sponsored student activities such as a Spelling Bee. This event not only challenges students academically but also provides an opportunity for them to showcase their linguistic skills and compete with peers from other private schools. The Spelling Bee fosters a spirit of healthy competition and academic excellence.
MLK Day is a no-school day that provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the values of equality, justice, and unity that Martin Luther King Jr. championed. Teachers may engage students in discussions and activities that highlight the significance of this historic figure and the ongoing pursuit of social justice.
The academic focus intensifies with the completion of the first semester. This marks a pivotal point in the school year, prompting a thorough review of students' academic achievements and areas for improvement. Teachers assess individual progress, and preparations begin for reporting students' grades to parents. Shortly after, your team will launch the second semester.
The administration team should now hold an assembly to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of students during the first semester. Outstanding performance, improvement, and dedication to learning are acknowledged, fostering a culture that values and encourages continuous scholastic excellence. This assembly contributes to the positive reinforcement of academic goals and aspirations.
January also focuses on professional development with the Mid-Year Faculty In-service. This dedicated time allows teachers and staff members to engage in collaborative learning. Teachers will also receive updates on educational best practices that enhance their teaching skills.
Recognizing the importance of experiential learning, the school organizes Winter Classroom Field Trips on Fridays. These trips allow students to explore educational venues outside the classroom, gaining hands-on experiences that complement their academic studies. In summary, January is a month of academic engagement, reflection on historical significance, winter classroom field trips, and professional development. From the intensity of academic competitions and recognition of achievements to honoring the legacy of Dr. King and investing in faculty development, the month sets a positive tone for continued learning.
The Enlightium School System Agency empowers Christian schools by integrating cutting-edge educational technology, establishing benchmarks for academic excellence, and optimizing school operations. Please contact Mrs. Towner or visit https://www.enlightiumacademy.com/alliance.
January
Discover the inspiring journey of Dr. Yelena V. Solodyankin, the visionary founder of Enlightium Academy.
Dr. Yelena V. Solodyankin has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education. She founded an online Christian school in 2003, which is now Enlightium Academy. Since then, she has guided the development of seven brick-and-mortar private schools along the Northwest Coast within church communities.
She holds her PhD in Philosophy in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University, Master’s degree in K-12 Guidance & Counseling from Whitworth University, and Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Gonzaga University. She also attended Pedagogical University of Kyrgyzstan and received a Diploma in Christian Studies from International Slavic Christian College. Yelena is ACSI and Washington state-certified.
Throughout her career, she has been devoted to preparing the next generation of leaders by making a difference in their hearts and minds. She has spoken at numerous educational conferences about the need for personalized Christian education and how she applied it to raising her three biological and five adopted children.
Don’t just take our word for it—listen to the stories of families who’ve chosen Enlightium and found success. Our community of over 5,000 online students speaks to the strength of our program and the profound impact it has on our students’ lives.
This was our first year with Enlightium Academy and I love it for my daughter! She has grown so much spiritually and academically! The weight of having to do it all has been lifted since I have 3 small children as well. We feel supported in our homeschool life!
This program is really focused on a good education for your kids.
The ability to adapt to our child’s learning challenges made for a smooth transition bringing joy that she is actually learning now and retaining the knowledge. We can not wait to tackle another year!
Love the curriculum. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Any technical issues are resolved almost immediately and the billing department has excellent customer service
This was our first year with Enlightium Academy and I love it for my daughter! She has grown so much spiritually and academically! The weight of having to do it all has been lifted since I have 3 small children as well. We feel supported in our homeschool life!
This program is really focused on a good education for your kids.
The ability to adapt to our child’s learning challenges made for a smooth transition bringing joy that she is actually learning now and retaining the knowledge. We can not wait to tackle another year!
Love the curriculum. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Any technical issues are resolved almost immediately and the billing department has excellent customer service
This education option has blessed our lives in so many ways. We will forever be grateful to Enlightium Academy.
Enlightium academy has helped me so much in the homeschooling of my son. They have worked with our scheduling and been there with answers to any questions we've had. They have made this a wonderful experience.
I love the curriculum given to my kids and the teachers are very helpful. My kids are making way better grades with this program then they did in public school.
Enlightium Academy ended up being everything I was looking for. It offers a good, flexible curriculum that truly accommodates my schedule without sacrificing learning. Most importantly, they teach the Bible in such an amazing way. It’s just perfect—I don’t regret being part of this school for a moment.
This education option has blessed our lives in so many ways. We will forever be grateful to Enlightium Academy.
Enlightium academy has helped me so much in the homeschooling of my son. They have worked with our scheduling and been there with answers to any questions we've had. They have made this a wonderful experience.
I love the curriculum given to my kids and the teachers are very helpful. My kids are making way better grades with this program then they did in public school.
Enlightium Academy ended up being everything I was looking for. It offers a good, flexible curriculum that truly accommodates my schedule without sacrificing learning. Most importantly, they teach the Bible in such an amazing way. It’s just perfect—I don’t regret being part of this school for a moment.