How Georgia 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 Georgia Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; 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 Georgia’s homeschooling requirements.

 

Georgia’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Does the Parent Need to Notify the State?	Yes
State Educational Funds	No
Academic Calendar Requirement	Yes
Reporting Age Requirement	6-16
Instructor Qualifications	Yes
Required Subjects	Yes
Standardized Assessment	Yes - Beginning in 4th grade
Immunization Requirement	No
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Georgia Families	Yes

 

Notifying the State

The Georgia Department of Education requires homeschooling families to inform the state of their intent to homeschool using this online form. This declaration must include:

• The student’s name
• The student’s age
• The location where the students are studying (likely your home)
• The 12-month period that you will be homeschooling (likely August through July, even if your student finishes in May or June)

Note the following submission dates to submit the form by:

First year of homeschooling: 

Notify the state within 30 days after starting at Enlightium Academy.

Each subsequent year of homeschooling: 

By September 1 or within a week of starting courses at Enlightium Academy.

 

State Educational Funds

No state educational funds are available for homeschooling families at this time.

 

Academic Calendar

The Georgia Department of Education requires 180 days of education each school year; each school day must have at least four and a half hours of learning. 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 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 parent’s choice until they turn 17 or graduate; this includes homeschooling at Enlightium Academy.

 

Immunization Requirement

Immunization does not appear to be required for homeschooling students in the state of Georgia, but you should have your exemptions or immunizations documented and on file. 

 

Instructor Qualifications

The Georgia Department of Education requires the parent/guardian/teacher to have a high school diploma or GED. 

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 or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 1-12) 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

The Georgia Department of Education requires the following subjects:

• Reading/Language Arts
• Math
• Social Studies
• Science

The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor.

 

Standardized Assessment

The Georgia Department of Education requires students to have a standardized assessment every three years starting at the end of the student’s third-grade year.

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades PreK-2: Not required, although the student may optionally take the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment
• Grades 3-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
• Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT

 

Keep a portfolio

You will need to keep a record of the following:

• Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
• Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.

You will need to keep this information for at least three years, although this information does not need to be provided to the state.

Additionally, you may need to keep the following records:

• 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 registration process - primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
• 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 Georgia 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 Georgia to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.

 

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 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 “Enroll Now” button.

 

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 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 October of 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal