How South 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 South 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 South Dakota homeschooling requirements.

South Dakota’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Notifying the State

The South Dakota Department of Education requires homeschooling families to inform the state of their intent to homeschool using the form found on this site; terminology for informing of homeschooling may be that the student is “excused.” 

This form must be submitted each year and must have two witnesses or be notarized. 

The first year of submitting the intent to homeschool form: 

The form should be submitted before your local school district begins courses for the academic year or within a week of enrolling your student at Enlightium Academy.

You will need to include:

• A copy of the homeschooled student’s birth certificate or
• A statement that the homeschooled student is the same as the person “appearing on the child’s birth certificate.” This statement must have two witnesses or be notarized.

Keep a copy of the birth certificate or the statement in your portfolio.

Each subsequent year:

The form should be submitted before your local school district begins courses for the academic year or within a week upon re-enrolling your student at Enlightium Academy.

Notes about the form:

• Where the form asks for “Alternative instruction program to be attended,” type “homeschool.”
• You can request that the information submitted in the form be kept confidential.

State Educational Funds

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

Age Requirement

Ages four 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 five on or before September 1:

Students 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.

Academic Calendar

The South Dakota Department of Education requires homeschoolers to spend the equivalent period of time in instruction as local public school students, which is at least nine months. 

Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days over approximately ten months (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.

Instructor Qualifications

The South Dakota Department of Education does not require 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 South Dakota Department of Education requires the following subjects:

• Language Arts
• Math

The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor.

Standardized Assessment

Students in grades PreK-2:

The South Dakota Department of Education does not require students to take a standardized assessment. Students can take the IXL diagnostic assessments or opt out of an assessment.

Students in grades 4, 8, and 11:

The South Dakota Department of Education does require students to take a standardized assessment and provide the test scores to your local school district. Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:

• Grades 4 and 8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material, and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
• Grade 11: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT

Students in grades 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12:

The South Dakota Department of Education does not require students to take a standardized assessment. However, Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per given grade level:

• Grades 3, 5, 6, and 7: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
• Grades 9, 10, and 12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT

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 South 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 South 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?

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 November 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/homeschooling.aspx