How Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 a 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 Louisiana homeschooling requirements.

Louisiana’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options	Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school
State Educational Funds	No
Does the parent need to notify the state?	Yes
Academic Calendar Requirement	Yes
Reporting Age Requirement	7
Instructor Qualifications	No
Required Subjects	No
Standardized Assessment	No
Immunization Requirement	Yes, with exceptions
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families	Yes

Homeschooling Options

There are two homeschooling options in Louisiana. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school. 

State Educational Funds

Although Louisiana families are not eligible to receive educational funds, eligible families can deduct up to $5,000 per student on their taxes upon approval. They can speak with a tax professional for more info.

Notifying the State

When first homeschooling , you must provide written notification of enrollment to the previous public school your student attended within ten days of starting the home-based private school. The notice must include your child’s legal name, date of birth, gender, and race. You can include in the notification a request for your child’s transcript.

Academic Calendar

The Louisiana Department of Education requires the homeschool program to operate for 180 days each school year. 

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 six 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 seven through 18:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.

Instructor Qualifications

The Louisiana Department of Education does not require students under option 2 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 Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields. 

Students in the Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP and 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 3-12) 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

The Louisiana Department of Education requires homeschooled students to be taught subjects in the same grade level that they would be taught in public school but does not specify any subjects. 

Additionally, The Louisiana Department of Education requires the following:

• Elementary school grade level: Students must be taught the Declaration of Independence, which Enlightium Academy teaches in 3rd-grade and 5th-grade History in our Online Program. It is also taught in 8th grade U.S. History in our Sapphire Program.
• High school grade level: Students must be taught The Federalist Papers, which is covered in 12th-grade Civics in our Online Program and 8th-grade U.S. History in our Sapphire Program.

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

The Louisiana Department of Education requires students to have a standardized assessment every three years starting in third grade.

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades PreK-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

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Louisiana; 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 Louisiana state exemption form here.

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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’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 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 September 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal