Frequently Asked Questions

What services does SGA provide for homeschool families?

What is the compulsory attendance age in Alabama?

What does SGA require from families?

What does SGA recommend for homeschool families?

How much does SGA cost?

How do I enroll?

How do I disenroll from SGA?

What if my address changes?

How do I report attendance?

What about my child’s learner’s permit?

What about grades/records/transcripts?

High School Help!!!

 

 

What services does SGA provide for homeschool families?

As a legal home school covering, Sovereign Grace Academy meets all state regulations by notifying the local superintendents of student enrollment and keeping records of attendance provided by member families. SGA is not a support group, but there are several in the local area who provide numerous opportunities for fellowship and support. (Click here for a listing of local homeschool support groups)

What is the compulsory attendance age in Alabama?

The compulsory age in Alabama is 6–17. If your child has turned or will turn 6 years old this school year, you must officially enroll your child in a church school this summer to remain in compliance with state homeschooling regulations.

The Alabama legislature inserted a provision that states that a parent of a 6-year-old may opt out of enrolling the child in school until age 7. To do so, the parent must notify the local school board in writing that the child will not be enrolled until age 7.

What does SGA require from families?

Enrollment paperwork includes: Church School Enrollment Form (one per student), Admission Form, and Church School/Teacher Agreement. SGA also requires annual attendance reports submitted to SGA via email at the end of the school year.

Neither Sovereign Grace Academy nor Millbrook Presbyterian Church is legally liable for the education of the children of families enrolled in the church school. Submission of forms for admission is acknowledgment and acceptance of this fact. Materials, schedules, reports, and files are all up to the discretion of the parents.

Parents maintain the sole responsibility to select the appropriate education materials and/or curriculum; provide primary instruction to their child(ren); evaluate school work and assign grades, if desired; submit annual attendance reports to SGA; submit all necessary forms with correct information to SGA by all deadlines; keep SGA immediately informed of any changes to residency status, enrollment decisions, address, telephone or email contact information; inform SGA if contact is made with the School Board, Department of Human Resources or other state or county officials interested in your homeschooling.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in dismissal from Sovereign Grace Academy and notification of dismissal to the Superintendent of the Board of Education.

What does SGA recommend for homeschool families?

For all SGA families, Sovereign Grace Academy recommends teaching traditional subjects, such as reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, oral and written English, geography, history of the United States and Alabama, science, health education, and physical education; including religious instruction; maintaining personal records such as daily work journals, work samples, and lists of field trips, books and activities; participating in a local home school support group.

Membership in Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) or Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA) is not required for SGA members, but we strongly recommend that each family prayerfully consider joining either organization. They provide professional legal representation and assistance with any social service contacts and investigations related to homeschooling for their members. SGA does not have the resources to provide legal aid if needed. SGA is an HSLDA discount group! Contact the administrator for that discount code. We also maintain a library of HSLDA brochures/booklets. Again, contact the administrator if you’re interested.

How much does SGA cost?

Because we operate as a ministry, we aim to offer coverage at an affordable price. SGA currently asks for a $20/family annual enrollment fee (checks should be made payable to MPC).

How do I enroll?

To enroll your family in SGA, download the following forms, read and complete them, then mail them to the SGA Administrator: Admission Form, Cover School Guidelines, Enrollment Form.

If your children are currently enrolled in a school, you will need to withdraw from that school and request their records. Contact your school office for instructions on how to do so.

Once we have received your enrollment paperwork, we will counter-sign the Church School Enrollment Form(s) and mail the originals to the local superintendent. We will return a copy to you with your SGA membership card. The forms will be sent certified mail and we will notify you when we have received delivery confirmation.

Important: Do not delay church school enrollment after withdrawing your child from public or private school. To avoid truancy issues, SGA recommends that parents file the Church School Enrollment Form with us at the same time that they withdraw their children from public or private school.

How do I disenroll from SGA?

To disenroll from SGA, please notify us in writing with the student(s) name and effective date of withdrawal. We will notify the superintendent that the student is no longer enrolled with SGA.

What if my address changes?

If you move, even if it is just across town or down the street, you must notify Sovereign Grace Academy and your local superintendent to remain in compliance with Alabama law.

How do I report attendance?

In order to remain in compliance with state homeschooling regulations, annual Attendance Reports are due June 1 of each year. For your convenience, simply email the total number of days and your child’s name to the SGA Administrator (day.family@yahoo.com). Your email will be saved electronically, so keep a copy for yourself.

State regulations require keeping attendance, but there is no mandated minimum number of school days per year. However, the state requires 175 days for public schools and 140 days for homeschoolers using the tutoring option, which gives you a general guideline to use in deciding your own family’s schedule. Traditional academic calendars or year-round schedules (i.e., “365 days”) are equally acceptable.

What about my child’s learner’s permit?

Teenagers in Alabama may test for their driver’s permit as soon as they turn 15 years old. The Alabama Department of Public Safety issues the driver’s licenses for all first-time drivers. You may obtain a copy of the Driver Handbook from the DPS.

To apply for a driver’s permit in Alabama, your student will need his birth certificate, social security card, and a School Enrollment/Exclusion Form (DL-1/93) filled out by the parent and signed by the Church School Administrator. This form verifies that your student is enrolled in a church school.

To obtain the signed form:

  1. Go to dps.alabama.gov and download Enrollment/Exclusion (DL-1/93).
  2. Fill out Section I.
  3. Mail form to SGA Administrator with a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) enclosed. We will fill out Section II, sign and return the form in the envelope you provide.

What about grades/records/transcripts?

Grades, transcripts, report cards, student evaluations and tests are not required by the state of Alabama; therefore, they are not required by SGA. Parents are solely responsible for grades, transcripts, report cards, student evaluations and tests. Their use is at the discretion of each family.

That being said, you may want to keep your own personal records, such as daily work journals, work samples, and/or lists of field trips, books and activities. To ensure a complete set of school records, you should request all transcripts and records from previous schools. This is particularly important for high school students who plan for college or students who may return to the public school system.

Some children want to receive a report card, and some organizations or clubs may require a transcript from your child. Should you need or want a report card or transcript, you can find forms for report cards and transcripts for purchase or to print on the internet. ChristianBook.com carries a variety of recordkeeping products, including my favorites by Academic Advantage (cumulative record folder, report cards, etc.).

Standardized testing is not required in Alabama, so we do not provide this service. However, many homeschool support groups do. Keep in mind that since the tests are administered in the spring, arrangements for the tests are generally made in January.

High School

Many people have questions about how to homeschool through high school. Let me encourage you that YOU CAN DO IT! There are many resources for support out there. One of my favorites is HSLDA’s Homeschooling Thru High School page (http://www.hslda.org/highschool/default.asp). There you will find resources for curriculum planning, recordkeeping, transcripts, etc. Pretty much everything you need from one reliable source!

SGA does not hold graduation ceremonies, we leave that up to the parents of each individual family. You can plan that event however you’d like–from a simple family gathering where the parents present a diploma to the student, to a formal senior recital and reception. For resources such as caps, gowns, quality diplomas, and class rings, we recommend www.HomeschoolDiploma.com.