How Iowa 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 homeschooled, 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 or the Iowa 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 Iowa homeschooling requirements.

Iowa’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options

There are five homeschooling options in Iowa. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 1: Homeschooling by Independent Private Instruction (IPI). Enlightium Academy provides private, religious-based instruction. The below guidelines are based on option 1.

State Educational Funds

Iowa residents can use the state’s Education Savings Accounts (ESA) program. The value of the account is equal to 100% of the state’s yearly cost per pupil, and ESA funds can be used for qualifying expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, credentialing, therapies, and online learning.

At Enlightium, these funds can be used to cover some or all of the school tuition.This includes the BJU Press curriculum for grades PreK-8 and the Diamond and Sapphire Live package for students in grades 3-12.

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 on or before September 15:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until at least the academic year in which they turn 16 years old, or they graduate. This includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.

Instructor Qualifications

The Iowa Department of Education does not require homeschooled 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 Masters 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 the Online Program (grades 3-12) use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 a given grade level:

• Grades PreK-2: IXL diagnostic assessments; you can also opt out of an assessment
• Grades 3-8: 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 the following:

• 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 registration process - 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be automatically 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 cThis 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 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://educateiowa.gov/