How Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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! 

Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Pennsylvania homeschooling requirements.

Pennsylvania’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options

There are four homeschooling options in Pennsylvania. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 4: Enrolling your child in a satellite of an accredited day or boarding school as your “home” would be considered a satellite school of Enlightium Academy’s day school. 

Enlightium Academy has dual accreditation which allows it to have students in all 50 states who receive an accredited education working toward a high school diploma that is recognized nationwide. The below guidelines are based on option 4.

State Educational Funds

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

Immunization Requirement

Immunization is required in the state of Pennsylvania; 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. We will, however, request the immunization record or exemption document be forwarded to us, if available, to be added to the student’s file. You may find the Pennsylvania state exemption form here.

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

Under option 4, the Pennsylvania Department of Education Pennsylvania does not require homeschooled 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 Pennsylvania Department of Education requires the following subjects:

Elementary School Students

• English (Spelling, Reading, Writing)
• Arithmetic
• Civics and History of the U.S. and Pennsylvania
• Health and Physiology
• Physical Education
• Music and Art
• Geography
• Science
• Safety Education (which must include instruction on the dangers and prevention of fires; this is covered in the Health Quest course available as an elective for students in grades 4-8)

Secondary-Level (7th-12th grade) Required Course

• English (must cover Language, Literature, Speech, and Composition)
• Mathematics (must cover General Mathematics, Geometry, and Algebra)
• Social Studies (must include Civics, History of the U.S. and Pennsylvania, and World History)
• Health
• Physical Education
• Music and Art
• Geography
• Science
• Safety Education (which must include regular and continuous instruction on the dangers and prevention of fires; this is covered in the Health Quest course available as an elective for students in grades 4-8)

High School Graduation Requirements

• Four years of English
• Three years of math
• Three years of science
• Three years of social studies
• Two years of art and humanities

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.

If a parent chooses an online program where the program provides grades, evaluations, etc., the parent is still responsible for providing the local school district with an annual written evaluation of the home education program completed by a qualified evaluator.

Standardized Assessment

Under option 4, the Pennsylvania 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

Keep a portfolio

The following are required for your portfolio:

• A log of work - This can be fulfilled with progress reports (sent most weeks of the school year by Enlightium’s Progress Department) and supply lists to show material read. The log must demonstrate that the home education program provided a minimum of either (1) 180 days of instruction or (2) 900 hours of instruction per year at the elementary level (grades kindergarten to 6), or 990 hours per year at the secondary level (grades 7-12).
• Curriculum samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course. Additionally, your student can take screenshots of assignments.
• Standardized assessment for students in grades 3, 5, and 8 - This includes the Iowa Complete standardized assessment.

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 their 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://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool
• https://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_1.asp