How Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon homeschooling requirements.

Oregon’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

The Oregon Department of Education requires homeschooling families to inform their local Education Service District (ESD) of their intent to homeschool. Your family only needs to do this one time, and it must be within ten days of withdrawing the student from the previous school to be homeschooled or within a week upon enrolling your student at Enlightium Academy.

The intent must be stated in writing and include the following:

• The parent’s name
• The homeschooled student's name, address, and birthdate
• A notice that the student is attending Enlightium Academy

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 September 1:

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 or graduate.

Instructor Qualifications

Homeschooling families residing in Oregon are not required 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 Oregon Department of Education does not require any specific courses for students to take.

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, other courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.

Standardized Assessment

Students in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10:

Students must take a standardized test. The tests need to be approved by the Oregon State Board of Education and must be administered by a third party.

Grade 3, 5, and 8: The Iowa Complete likely meets this requirement as it is administered by qualified staff and faculty members.

Grade 10: Students should take a college-preparatory assessment.

Students who enrolled at Enlightium after attending a public school:

The first evaluation must be conducted starting at 18 months after withdrawing.

All other students:

A standardized assessment does not appear to be required by the Oregon Department of Education. 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 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

Student Disabilities

Students with a disability must be evaluated to ensure progress in their academics in accordance with their IEP or other plan.

Students with distinctive academic needs or health impairments may be admitted to Enlightium. However, Enlightium does not assess, update, or use an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an unofficial Resident District Individualized Service Plan (RD-ISP).

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 Oregon 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 Oregon 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 October 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/HomeSchool/Pages/default.aspx