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

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states; 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! 

Note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you also research Nebraska homeschooling requirements.

Nebraska’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
Instructor Qualifications	Yes
Subjects Required	Yes
Standardized Assessment	No
Immunization Requirement	Yes, with exemptions
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Nebraska Families	Yes

Notifying the State

The Nebraska Department of Education requires homeschooling families (which may be identified as “private school families'') to inform the local school district superintendent of their intent to learn using an alternative education option.

First year of homeschooling: 

1. File a Parent or Guardian Form (Form A) upon starting courses at Enlightium Academy.
2. File a Parent Representation Form (Form B) upon starting courses at Enlightium Academy.
3. File an Information Summary* within thirty days of submitting Forms A and B.
4. Send a certified copy of your student’s birth certificate (or alternative identification) to your local school district superintendent.

Each subsequent year:

1. File a Parent or Guardian Form (Form A). 
2. File a Parent Representation Form (Form B).
3. File an Information Summary.*

File Form A, Form B, and the Information Summary by July 15 or within a week upon enrolling or re-enrolling your student at Enlightium Academy.

*The Information Summary is a supplementary form to Form B. It includes:

• A calendar for the school year. Enlightium families can use its official school calendar.
• Confirmation that the minimum hours of instruction will be met; see “Academic Calendar” below for details.
• The “instructional monitors” in the homeschool; this can be the student’s parents and any tutors. Include the instructional monitors’:
  • Name
  • Age
  • Highest level of education (high school diploma, bachelor's degree, etc.)
• A scope and sequence for the student’s grade level; Enlightium families can use its official scope and sequences. 

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 they turn 18 years old.

Academic Calendar

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.

Elementary School and Primary School Students

The Nebraska Department of Education requires at least 1,032 hours of instruction each school year, which is less than six hours of instruction each day for 180 days. 

High School and Middle School Students

The Nebraska Department of Education requires at least 1,080 hours of instruction each school year, which is six hours of instruction each day for 180 days.

Instructor Qualifications

In Nebraska, the parent/guardian/teacher needs to be “qualified to monitor instruction.” No further qualifications are required. 

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 Nebraska Department of Education requires that the following subjects be taken by the student and that you, as the parent, are satisfied in the instructors’ ability to teach the subjects:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science
• Health

The first four bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor. Health is available as an elective at Enlightium Academy. 

Standardized Assessment

The Nebraska 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 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

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Nebraska 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. You may find the Nebraska state exemption form here.

Keep a portfolio

You may need to provide your state with additional information, so keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy and 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.
• 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be automatically added to this group upon enrolling and then 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 the 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 November 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.education.ne.gov/fos/exempt-schools/