How North Dakota 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 Dakota 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 North Dakota homeschooling requirements.
North Dakota’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
|
Homeschooling Options |
Option 1: Homeschooling under the home education law |
|
State Educational Funds |
No |
|
Does the parent need to notify the state? |
Yes |
|
Academic Calendar Requirement |
Yes |
|
Reporting Age Requirement |
7 |
|
Instructor Qualifications |
Yes |
|
Required Subjects |
Yes |
|
Standardized Assessment |
Yes |
|
Immunization Requirement |
Yes |
|
Keep a Portfolio |
Yes |
|
Enlightium Parents App with Group for North Dakota Families |
Yes |
Homeschooling Options
There are two homeschooling options in North Dakota. Enlightium Academy’s teachers are state and/or ACSI-certified. The latter is recognized across all 50 states. Additionally, Enlightium’s teachers undergo a criminal background check. For these reasons, Enlightium recommends that North Dakota families choose Option 1: Homeschooling under the home education law. 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
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction requires homeschooling families to submit a notice of intent to homeschool every year:
- Visit the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s website.
- Click “Home Education Compliance.”
- Click “Statement of Intent to Home Educate” for the current form.
In the first year at Enlightium Academy, this should be done at least fourteen days before starting courses. The form should be completed every year after that.
Academic Calendar
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction requires that homeschooled students receive at least four hours of instruction per school day for a minimum of 175 days each 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. This includes homeschooling under the umbrella of Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
Under Option 1, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction requires the child’s instructor to be a parent of the child you are homeschooling, and you must have a high school diploma or a GED to supervise the child’s home education unless you are monitored by a North Dakota certified teacher as described below.
If you do not have a high school diploma or GED:
You may supervise your child’s home education if you are “monitored” by a certified teacher for your first two years of homeschooling. If, during the monitoring period, your child’s basic composite score on the required standardized test falls below the 50th percentile, you must be monitored for at least one additional school year. Monitoring must continue until your child achieves a test score at or above the 50th percentile. If you successfully complete the monitoring requirement for one child, you do not have to be monitored again before you may homeschool additional children.
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 the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) 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 Dakota Department of Public Instruction requires the student to be taught subjects that are typically taught in public schools as stated below:
Required subjects for grades 3-8:
- English Language Arts, including reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar, and spelling
- Mathematics
- Social studies, including the United States Constitution, United States history, geography, and government, and, in the 4th and 8th grades, North Dakota studies, with an emphasis on the geography, history, and agriculture of North Dakota
- Science, including agriculture
- Physical Education
- Health, including physiology, hygiene, disease control, and the nature and effects of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics
Required subjects for grades 9-12:
- English Language Arts, including literature, composition, and speech
- Mathematics
- Science, including biology and chemistry or physical science
- Social Studies, including U.S. history, civics, economics, and concepts of personal finance
- Physical education
- Foreign languages or fine arts or career and technical education
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
Under option 1, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction requires standardized testing for homeschooled students in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per a 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
Keep a Portfolio
You must keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include the following:
- Curriculum information - Enlightium provides its families with curriculum overviews by grade level.
- 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.
Additionally, consider keeping the following:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- 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 North Dakota 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 Dakota 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?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- 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 February 2024: