How Utah 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 Utah State Board 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 Utah homeschooling requirements.

Utah’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance

Homeschooling Options

There are two homeschooling options in Utah. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 1: Homeschooling under Utah’s homeschool statute. The below guidelines are based on option 1.

State Educational Funds

The state of Utah grants all K–12 students access to the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) that can be used to pay for approved educational goods and services. At the time of writing, the ESA is valued at $8,000 per student.

Families enrolled at Enlightium Academy may be able to use these funds to cover some or all of their tuition:

• Students in grades 3-12 can enroll in the Sapphire Live package, where they receive synchronous instruction from Enlightium teachers and fellow students in Zoom sessions.
• Students in grades 3-12 can enroll in the Gold or Diamond package and receive quick responses via direct messaging from their teachers, phone support, screen sharing, and more!
• Students in grades PreK-8 can enroll in the book-based BJU Press option that offers a parent-led, video-based curriculum.

Notifying the State

First year of homeschooling: 

The Utah State Board of Education requires homeschooling families to file a signed and notarized affidavit to their local school board. The affidavit needs to contain:

• A notice of your intent to homeschool, and
• That the parent takes responsibility for the student’s education

You should receive a homeschooling program certificate within 30 days of filing the affidavit.

Each subsequent year:

You should automatically receive a homeschooling program certificate by August 1. You do not need to refile unless you move to a new school district.

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.

Ages six through 18:

Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until they either graduate or turn 18. This includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.

Instructor Qualifications

The Utah State Board Of Education does not require homeschool 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) use book-based Christian curricula from AOP and BJU Press, while students in 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 Utah State Board Of Education 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 Utah State Board 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

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:

• 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 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.
• 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 Utah 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 Utah to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements. 

Your family will be automatically 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 August 2023:

• https://hslda.org/legal
• https://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/homeschool