General Enrollment FAQs
- Does enrolling in your school satisfy Florida's compulsory attendance requirement?
Yes. Enrollment at Aspiring Heights Academy legally meets the compulsory attendance laws of Florida. Aspiring Heights Academy is a home-based, non-public school that has been registered with the Florida Department of Education since 2010. We provide an "umbrella" option to help parents educate their children at home.
- Does it matter what state we live in to enroll in your school?
Yes. Our school only serves Florida families. Students must be legal residents in the state of Florida. Military families living outside the state of Florida may enroll their children, but they must maintain their Florida residency.
- Does it matter what county we live in to enroll in your school?
No. Our school serves students statewide.
- Is your school accredited?
No. There is no state law requiring private schools to be accredited. If you will be enrolling your student into our diploma program, please see our High School Diploma Program page for important information.
- When can I enroll my children in your school?
Enrollment is open year-round.
- What are the differences between your standard, academic, and high school diploma programs?
Our Standard Program includes record keeping services, FLVS enrollment, school IDs, a school email account, and MS Office 365 Education. Our Academic Program includes the foregoing, plus transcript services, dual enrollment opportunities, and an opportunity for students to earn a Certificate of Completion at the end of each school year. Our High School Diploma Program includes everything offered under our Standard Program, plus transcript services, dual enrollment opportunities, and an opportunity to for students to earn a high school diploma and a Bright Futures scholarship. For an overview, see our Program Options table.
- How much does it cost?
Enrollment fees vary depending on program option and grade level. Please see our New Students and Current and Returning Students pages for details.
- How long does the enrollment process take?
Enrollments are processed Monday through Friday within three business days of receipt of the required documentation and payment. We offer expedited services (same day and Saturday enrollments) for an additional fee.
- Is my child's enrollment information sent to our school district or to the state?
We do not routinely send enrollment information to school districts or the state. We will notify your child's previous school of their enrollment at AHA if you include a notification form with your enrollment documents. Parents and guardians are responsible for formally withdrawing their children from their former school or terminating their home education program. See our FAQs about notifying school officials for more information.
Florida law requires private schools to keep a register of enrollment and attendance open for inspection by the district school superintendent of the district in which the school is located. Statistical data, such as how many students are enrolled in each grade level, is provided to the Florida Department of Education. You can view Private School Annual Reports at www.fldoe.org. - May I register for the upcoming school year early?
Yes. If you would like to start your school year on a specific date, just include your preferred start date on your enrollment form. This must be a future date. We cannot backdate enrollments.
- When will my child's school term begin?
Your child's term will begin on the day your child is enrolled unless a future start date is requested on your enrollment form.
- When will my child's school term end?
Your child's term will end one year from their enrollment date or on grade level completion, whichever comes first.
- Can we change our school term?
As long as your child has maintained regular attendance during their current school term, you are welcome to re-enroll your child to establish a new school term. Just send us your attendance record and a Returning Student Enrollment Form specifying the future date you would like to begin the new school term.
- What do I need to do when my child is ready to change grade levels?
When your child is ready to advance to the next grade level, just send us your attendance record to date and re-enroll. (To be eligible for re-enrollment, your child must have maintained regular attendance during their current term.) If you would like to change your child's grade level below the current grade level, please contact us.
- My child is behind in math, but is on level with his other courses. Should my child repeat a grade?
It's common for the levels of a student's coursework to vary. When considering your child's grade level, consider the grade level at which the majority of the subjects are based.
- Do I have to maintain a school portfolio?
No, but we recommend you keep one. It may be helpful should your child enter or return to public school. You may need to keep one if you enroll your child in our academic or diploma program. Also, some colleges and universities require applicants who complete a home school program or graduate from a non-accredited high school to submit portfolios to be considered for admission.
- How is my child evaluated?
You may choose the method in which your child is evaluated. We do not provide evaluations or require that parents have their children evaluated. Some parents want to have their children tested, so we've compiled a list of assessment resources here as a starting point. You'll may also find our directory of Florida evaluators at iamhomeschooling.com helpful, especially if you will be validating your child's coursework via a portfolio review.
- What kinds of records do I have to keep?
The only record keeping we require is attendance. You must keep records that document your child's absence or attendance for each school day and show regular school attendance of at least 180 days for each school year. See our FAQs about attendance requirements for more information. If you are enrolling your child in our academic or diploma program, you will need to document coursework in accordance with our program policies.
- How do we document our children's grades?
If your children are taking courses through FLVS, their grades will be documented on FLVS transcripts. If you are using your own curriculum, you may document their grades on grade reports. (Students enrolled in our academic or diploma programs must document coursework more thoroughly.)
- Will my child have to participate in standardized testing?
No. Students are not required to take Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Assessments or Florida Standard Assessments (FSA), including End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. Students may participate in EOC assessments, if desired, and there are certain circumstances in which students should participate.
- Do you provide curriculum?
We provide online curriculum through an agreement with Florida Virtual School (FLVS), however, enrolling in FLVS courses is optional. We encourage you to use what works best for your child.
- Will my child be able to participate in public school sports?
Probably not. Our enrollment exceeds the maximum number allowed by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
