How Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 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 Massachusetts homeschooling requirements.

Massachusetts’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires homeschooling families to submit a notice of intent to the school district annually. The intent can be provided in writing at the start of the year.

Topics that may need to be noted in the notice of intent include, but are not limited to:

• The curriculum utilized
  • Grades PreK-2 use a book-based curriculum
  • Grades 3-8 can use a book-based curriculum or an online text-based curriculum
  • Grades 9-12 use an online text-based curriculum
• Samples of the curriculum
• Number of hours of instruction
  • 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.
• Instructor competency; see “Instructor Qualifications” below for details
• The method of assessment used; see “Standardized Assessment” below for options

State Educational Funds

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

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 December 31

They must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. 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 graduate.

Instructor Qualifications

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not require homeschool 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 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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires the following subjects but does not state during which grades they need to be taken:

• Reading/Spelling/Writing/English Language and Grammar
• Language arts
• Arithmetic
• Geography/United States History and Constitution/Duties of Citizenship
• Drawing
• Music
• Health (including CPR which is covered in the Health Quest course available as an elective for students in grades 4-8)
• Physical Education

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

Standardized Assessment

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may not require a standardized test for homeschooled students; see “Progress Reports” below. 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

It is recommended for Enlightium students in Massachusetts to take the IXL diagnostic assessment or the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment.

Progress Reports

A local superintendent or school committee may require homeschooling families to provide one of the following:

• Standardized assessment test scores
• Progress reports
• Dated work samples

If requested, the most straightforward option would be for your family to provide progress reports, which Enlightium provides throughout the school year via email.

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 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 January 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.doe.mass.edu/homeschool/