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. As K-12 education policies are different in each country, it is a parental responsibility to check on their country’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about some country’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their country’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in many countries; 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 Alberta, Canada’s homeschooling requirements.

 

Alberta, Canada’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Country Educational Funds	No
Does the Parent Need to Notify the Country?	Yes
Academic Calendar Requirement	Unclear
Subjects Required	Unclear
Age Requirement	6-16
Instructor Qualifications	Yes
Standardized Assessment	Yes
Keep a Portfolio	Recommended by Enlightium
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Alberta, Canada Families	Yes

 

Country Educational Funds

There do not appear to be any country education funds for students in Alberta at this time.

 

Notifying the Country

Parents must notify the Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services of their intent to homeschool using this form. This must be done by September 30, or as soon as possible if that deadline is missed.

 

Calendar Requirements

The Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services does not appear to have calendar requirements for homeschooled students.

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

The Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services does not appear to require students to take specific courses.

After you enroll/re-enroll and before your student starts courses at Enlightium Academy, your student’s counselor will send you an email with a recommended course schedule consisting of core courses and, if applicable, courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.

 

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 through 16:

Students must attend school; this includes homeschooling under the umbrella of Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education until they turn 17 or graduate.

 

Instructor Qualifications

The Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services requires the instructor to be certified. 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 Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) use book-based Christian curricula from AOP and BJU Press, while students in Online Program (grades 3–12) use one of two digital Christian curricula, Ignitia or Canvas. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-10) use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives courses. Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and to find the curriculum option that works best for your family.

Additionally, the teacher must perform at least two formal evaluations of the student each year, which include a review of the student’s portfolio and recommendations for improvements. This can be completed during Parent-Teacher Conferences held by Enlightium for students in the Online Program twice a year.

 

Standardized Assessment

The Alberta, Canada Department of Education Services requires students to be assessed at least twice a year, such as a review of their portfolio and a teacher’s recommendations for improvements. This assessment can also be completed using a standardized assessment. Enlightium Academy offers multiple testing options and guidance for students:

• Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment
• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT

 

Keep a Portfolio

You may need to provide your country 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 weekly progress reports. 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.
• Course plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: 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 after quarters 1, 2, and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of the school year or summer.
• 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, and the Presidential Award.
• Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.

 

Enlightium Parents App with Group for Alberta, Canada Families

Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Alberta, Canada to inform and support each other in fulfilling your country’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).

 

Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?

1. Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
2. If you have any questions:
   1. Chat with a team member
   2. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the blue button near the top of the page.

 

Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumSchool.com.

We review country requirements and regulations annually; however, each country may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your country’s board of education.

 

 

Sources reviewed in August 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.alberta.ca/home-education
• https://thecanadianhomeschooler.com/legalities-of-homeschooling-in-canada-quick-guide 
• https://arrivein.com/daily-life-in-canada/the-school-system-in-alberta/