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 Maine Department of Education website, 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 Maine homeschooling requirements.

 

Maine’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options	Option 1: Homeschooling under Maine’s home instruction
State Educational Funds	No
Does the parent need to notify the state?	Yes
Academic Calendar Requirement	Yes
Reporting Age Requirement	6
Instructor Qualifications	No
Subjects Required	Yes
Standardized Assessment	Yes
Immunization Requirement	No
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Maine Families	Yes

 

Homeschooling Options

There are two homeschooling options in Maine. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 1: Homeschooling under Maine’s home instruction. The below guidelines are based on option 1.

 

State Educational Funds

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

 

Notifying the State

You must send a one-time written notice of intent to your local school superintendent. This notice needs to be sent within ten days of you starting to homeschool your student. Your notice of intent must include the following information:

• Name, address, and signature of the parent or guardian,
• Student’s name and age,
• The date that home instruction began (or will begin),
• A statement that you will provide instruction to your student for at least 175 days a year,
• A statement that you will cover the required subjects, and
• A statement that you will submit a year-end assessment for your student.

Maine law says you must keep a copy of this notice of intent for your records. If the commissioner of education asks to see the notice, you must provide it to them.

Each year thereafter, by September 1, you need to send a letter to the local school superintendent. This letter needs to include the following:

• Your student’s year-end assessment, and
• A statement that you intend to continue your student’s home education.

Maine law says that you must keep a copy of each annual letter and a copy of each year-end assessment for your records. If the commissioner of education asks to see the letter or the year-end assessment, you must provide it.

 

Academic Calendar

The Maine Department of Education requires at least 175 days of education 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 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 17:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they either graduate or turn 17. This includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.

 

Instructor Qualifications

The Maine Department of Education requires the teacher to be “competent.” 

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 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 Maine Department of Education requires the following subjects:

• English/Language Arts
• Math
• Social Studies/Maine History (in one grade between grades 6-12)
• Science
• Physical and Health Education
• Fine Arts
• Computer Proficiency (in one grade between grades 7-12)

The first four bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and will likely already be assigned by your student’s counselor. The latter bullet points are electives available at Enlightium Academy.

 

Standardized Assessment

The Maine Department of Education requires that you submit a year-end assessment to your local school superintendent under option 1. The assessment is due by September 1st each year. Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per a given grade level:

• 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

 

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.
• 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 Maine 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 Maine 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 March 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/schoolops/homeinstruction