How North Carolina 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 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, as educational policies are subject to change over time. Once enrolled at Enlightium Academy, join our North Carolina Group in the Enlightium’s Parents app to connect with North Carolina families. 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 North Carolina’s homeschooling requirements.

 

North Carolina’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	7-16
Instructor Qualifications	Yes
Required Subjects	No
Standardized Assessment	Yes
Immunization Requirement	Yes, with exemptions
Keep a Portfolio	Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for North Carolina Families	Yes

 

Notifying the State

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires homeschooling families to inform the state of their intent to homeschool using the form found on this website; the form is only accessible from 7 am - 3 pm Eastern Time on Monday through Friday. Your family only needs to do this one time. 

You will be asked for some information:

• The name of the homeschool owner and the name of the chief administrator - use your family’s name
• The homeschool address - use your family’s address

You will need to close out your homeschool by informing the state when you:

• Stop homeschooling (such as upon your student’s graduation), or
• Move out of state

 

State Educational Funds

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

 

Academic Calendar

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires at least nine months 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 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 16:

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

 

Instructor Qualifications

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires the instructor to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. 

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) use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) use a digital Christian curriculum. Finally, students in the Sapphire Live Program (grades 1-12) 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 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction does not require any specific courses.

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 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires families to have their students take a standardized test each year. The assessment must cover:

• Grammar
• Reading
• Spelling
• Mathematics

The test scores must be available for one year and may be subject to inspection by a representative of the state. Every enrolled home school student should be tested each school year regardless of age.

Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or 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 PSAT, SAT and/or ACT

 

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of North Carolina; 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 homeschooled students. 

You may find the North Carolina State Medical exemption form here. To complete an immunization exemption form, the state of North Carolina requires you to be eligible under one of the following:

• Medical Exemption: Medical exemptions can only be requested by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. If a physician determines the need to request a medical exemption from a required immunization for a patient and needs assistance, they should contact the North Carolina Immunization Branch at (919) 707-5550.
• Religious Exemption: There is no form for requesting religious exemptions in North Carolina. To claim a religious exemption, the parent or person requesting the exemption must write a statement of their religious objection to immunization, including the name and date of birth of the person for whom the exemption is being requested. This statement would then be provided to schools, childcare programs, camps, etc., in place of an immunization record. If a family is requesting a religious exemption for more than one child, a separate statement should be prepared for each child. Statements of religious objection to immunization do not need to be notarized, signed by a religious leader, or prepared by an attorney.

 

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 progress reports via email. 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 academic plans during the admission process for each of our four divisions of grades: 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 at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.
• 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, Outstanding Improvement, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling. 

 

Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?

1. Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
2. If you have any questions:
   1. Chat with a team member
   2. Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
   3. Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
3. Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.

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 (509) 319-2288, or visit EnlightiumSchool.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 December 2024:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://immunize.nc.gov/schools/ncexemptions.htm
• https://ncadmin.nc.gov/public/home-school-information/home-school-requirements-recommendations/nationally-standardized