How Virginia Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy

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 state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Virginia Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states; 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 Virginia's homeschooling requirements.

 

Virginia’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options	Option 4: Homeschooling under the private school option
Does the Parent Need to Notify the State?	No
Academic Calendar	Yes
Reporting Age Requirement	5-18
Instructor Qualifications	No
Required Subjects	No
Standardized Assessment	No
Immunization Requirement	Yes, with exemptions
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Virginia Families	Yes

 

Homeschooling Options

There are four homeschooling options in Virginia. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 4: Homeschooling under the private school option. The guidelines below are based on option 4.

 

Academic Calendar

The Virginia Department of Education requires private school students to receive instruction for the same number of days and during the same period of the year as public schools, and they must receive instruction for the same number of hours per day as public school 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.

 

Age Requirement

Ages four 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 five on or before September 30:

They must attend school during that academic year beginning in the fall; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they turn 18 or graduate.

 

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Virginia; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunization as we serve homeschool students but must abide by state regulations. 

You may find the Virginia state exemption form here. To complete an immunization exemption form, the state of Virginia requires you to be eligible under the religious exemption.

 

Instructor Qualifications

Under option 4, the Virginia Department of Education does not require teachers to hold 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 Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) can use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-10) can 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.

 

Required Subjects

Under option 4, the Virginia Department of Education does not require any 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.

 

Standardized Assessment

Under option 4, the Virginia Department of Education does not require a standardized test for homeschooled students. However, Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per 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

 

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 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.
• Academic 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 Virginia 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 Virginia to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling and then 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 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 August 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool 
• https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter110/section80/ 
• https://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_1.asp