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New Student Enrollment
Enrollment is open year-round to Florida students in grades K–12 from age 5 through age 19. Students age 20 may continue their enrollment status to complete their coursework. Students must complete all coursework prior to their 21st birthday or by the end of their fifth high school year, whichever comes first. Students enrolling into our diploma program must be able to meet our diploma program eligibility requirements.
Steps to Enroll
- 1 Choose a program option.
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- 3 Watch your inbox for our enrollment confirmation email.
We will attach an attendance recording form to your confirmation email. Please see our Notification FAQ for who you may need to notify of your student's enrollment at Aspiring Heights Academy.
- 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 in Florida to be accredited.
- When can I enroll my children in your school?
Anytime! Enrollment is open year-round.
- What are the differences between your standard, academic, and high school diploma programs?
We have created a comparison chart to make it easy for you to see what each program includes. For an overview, see our Program Options table.
- What information do you need for enrollment at your school?
We need to know where you and your child reside and how to contact you and we need to know your child's age and general health. If your child will be enrolling in courses at FLVS or participating in college dual enrollment, we will also need proof of residency and academic records from your child's current/former school. If your child will be enrolling into our diploma program, we will need copies of your child's transcripts documenting high school credits. Please see our Required Documents for New Student Enrollment and Required Documents for Student Re-Enrollment pages more information.
- How much does it cost to enroll?
Enrollment fees vary depending on program option. Please see our New Student Enrollment and Student Re-enrollment pages for details.
- Will my child lose the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) if we enroll him at your school?
No, but AHA does not participate in PreK-12 education scholarships. We were advised by a Step Up for Students agent that "If the student is enrolled in a private school that does not participate in the scholarship, then the student would not lose the scholarship. However, the funds awarded cannot be used for tuition and fees for the non-participating private school." For more information please read the Step Up for Students program handbooks. Note that scholarship recipients enrolled in courses at FLVS are responsible for FLVS tuition. Please see their page on School Choice Scholarships for details.
- Will my child be eligible for the PEP Scholarship if enrolled at AHA?
No. Step Up for Students states, "Scholarships are open to any K-12 Florida residents not enrolled in full-time private or public school...." You must "withdraw as a full-time public or private school student or terminate a home education program with [your] school district and enroll as a PEP student with Step Up For Students."
- What payment methods do you accept?
We accept debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, checks, money orders, and cash. PayPal buttons are provided on our enrollment, transfer, and expedited service pages. See our Fees and Payment Methods page 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 former 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 notification FAQ for information about notifying school officials.
Note that 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 the current school term, you are welcome to re-enroll your child to establish a new school term. Just send us your attendance record to date and an 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.) 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 I hold my child back?
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 may also find your zoned district school's homeschool department helpful in finding a teacher who administers standardized tests or performs homeschool evaluations. You may need a homeschool evaluator if your child is enrolled in our academic program or diploma program and you will be validating your child's coursework via a portfolio review.
- What records do I have to keep?
The only recordkeeping 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 Recordkeeping Requirements page for more information. If you're enrolling your child in our academic program or diploma program, you will need to document coursework in accordance with those 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 program and diploma program must have their coursework documented 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.
- Do I have to notify anyone that I am enrolling my child in your school?
If your child is not enrolled in any Florida home education program, public school, or private school, then you do not need to notify anyone of your educational choice to enroll your child in our school. There is no statute requiring parents to inform the district of their child who may attend a private school.
Students enrolled at Aspiring Heights Academy are private school students–not homeschool students as defined in s. 1002.41. You do not need to send a notice of intent to establish a home education program to your district school superintendent if you enroll your child in our school.
- Who do I notify if my children are enrolled in a public school?
If your children are currently enrolled in a public school, then you will need to formally withdraw them. Your district school will ask where your children are going so that they can assign the appropriate withdrawal code. Specify that your children are (or will be) enrolled in a private school, not a home education program. If you would like us to verify your children's enrollment at AHA with their former school, include a notification form with your enrollment documents.
Some schools prefer that parents withdraw their children before enrolling them into another school, some schools prefer that parents withdraw their children after enrolling them into another school, and some schools don't have a preference. In any case, be sure to formally withdraw your child in a timely manner to avoid any potential truancy issues. (See Florida Statute 1003.26)
- Who do I notify if my child is enrolled in a private school?
If your child is currently enrolled in another private school, you will need to formally withdraw your child from the other school. Your school may have a particular policy regarding this, but you should only need to provide them with something in writing stating that you are withdrawing your child. If you would like us to notify your child's previous school of their enrollment at AHA, include a notification form with your enrollment documents.
- Who do I notify if my child is registered as a homeschooler with our district school?
If you sent your district school superintendent a notice of intent to establish a home education program, then you must send them a termination notice, along with your child's annual evaluation, within 30 days of your child's enrollment at Aspiring Heights Academy. Your district school may have a form you can download, or you can download termination notice and annual evaluation forms here. (The requirement to include your child's annual evaluation with your termination notice was added to s. 1002.41(1)(c) in 2018.)
Program Options*
Recordkeeping Services
Cumulative SummariesRequired Documentation
Some of the documents we need and when we need them depend on your student's program, grade level, and curriculum choices. Please see Required Documentation for New Student Enrollment for specific document details.
Enrollment Form (PDF, Online) |
All Students | On Enrollment |
Birth Certificate |
All Students | On Enrollment |
Certification of Immunization or Exemption |
All Students | On Enrollment |
School Entry Health Examination or Exemption |
All Students | Within 30 Days of Enrollment |
Proof of Scoliosis Screening or Exemption |
6th Grade Students | Grade 6 |
Proof of Residency |
FLVS Students, Dual Enrollment Students | Prior to Course Approval |
Academic Records |
FLVS Students, Dual Enrollment Students, Students Enrolling in Academic Program Mid-Year, Diploma Program Students | Prior to Course Approval |
Unofficial High School Transcripts |
Diploma Program Students | On Enrollment |
- What information do you need for enrollment at your school?
We need the following documents:
- An enrollment form
- A photocopy of your child's birth certificate;
- A school-entry health exam dated within one year before enrollment in school; and
- A Florida immunization certificate if it is not on file with the Immunization Registry.
We also need proof of residency and academic records if your child will be enrolling in courses at FLVS or participating in Florida's Dual Enrollment Program.
Please see our required documentation page for more information. (For returning students look here.) Not all documents need to be provided on school entrance.
- I do not have a copy of my child's birth certificate. Will you accept something else?
If you do not have your child's birth certificate, we will accept one of the following:
- A duly attested transcript of a certificate of baptism showing the date of birth and place of baptism of your child, accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by you;
- An insurance policy on your child’s life that has been in force for at least 2 years;
- A bona fide contemporary religious record of your child’s birth accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by you; or
- A passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing the age of your child.
If you do not have any of the above, and your child was born in Florida, you can request your child's birth record from the Florida Department of Health. If your child was born in a different state, you can find out where to write for vital records at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We can request a copy of your child's birth certificate from your child's former school with your signed authorization.
- Our children recently had physicals, but we do not have their forms. Do they have to be re-examined?
You should be able to obtain copies from your children's physician. We can also request copies from their former school with your signed authorization. If we do not receive copies from their former school within 15 days, then it will be your responsibility to present them to us. You must present certification of recent school-entry health examinations within 30 days of their enrollment to be in compliance with Florida law. We can accept Form DH 3040, School Entry Health Exam or a signed statement by an authorized professional that indicates the results of the components included in the health examination.
- Our child's last physical examination was over a year ago, but we have an appointment scheduled. Will you accept our child for enrollment?
Yes, but please note that you must present certification of a school-entry health exam within 30 days of enrollment to be in compliance with Florida law. We can accept Form DH 3040, School Entry Health Exam or a signed statement by an authorized professional that indicates the results of the components included in the health examination.
- How do we document that our child was screened for scoliosis?
If your child recently had a school entry health examination, the results would be included on your child's Certificate of School Entry Health Examination form (postural assessment). If your child is screened separately, then the results may be documented on some other health record. We will accept any health record provided the screening was performed for 6th grade entrance or while enrolled in 6th grade. The document must include your child's name and the date of examination. Scoliosis screenings are only required for students in 6th grade.
- How do we document our child's immunizations?
Florida Statute 1003.22 requires that each child has a certification of immunization on file with the immunization registry. If your child has been excluded from participation in the immunization registry, you must present your child's immunization certificate. Florida physicians and county health departments issue Form DH 680, Certification of Immunization. No other immunization records can be accepted.
If your child is entering 7th grade, and your child has been excluded from the immunization registry, we will need an updated Form DH Form 680 indicating that immunizations are complete for 7th grade entry.
If the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with your religious tenets or practices, you may request religious exemption (DH Form 681 or objection in writing). County health departments issue Form DH 681, Religious Exemption From Immunization.
Please read our article on vaccines and immunizations for more information.
- My child's immunizations were administered in another state. Can I send what I have?
If you recently moved to Florida from another state, you must have your child's vaccination history transferred to Florida's Form DH 680, Certification of Immunization. This form is completed by Florida county health departments and Florida healthcare providers. Please read our article on vaccines and immunizations for more information about Florida's immunization requirements.
- We don't have the required health records. Can we just state that we do not want our children to be examined or immunized?
Florida law allows a parent to object to health examinations and immunizations on religious grounds. We have sample religious exemption letters here.
- If we're educating our children at home, why do you need health records?
All private schools are required to have this information pursuant to Florida Statute 1003.22.
- What documents do you accept for proof of residency?
Please see our Proof of Residency page for details.
- Do you need my child's academic records?
Maybe. We need records from your child's former school if your child will be enrolling in courses at FLVS or participating in Florida's Dual Enrollment Program. We need proof of Kindergarten completion if your child will be taking courses at FLVS and is entering first grade. We need your child's records if you want your child's grades transferred to our school under our academic program. We need high school transcripts if your child is enrolling in our diploma program. If any of the foregoing apply, please include an Enrollment Notification and Records Request form with your enrollment documents.
- How do we submit our documents?
Documents may be mailed, emailed, or attached to one of our enrollment forms or document submission form.
- How secure are my children's school records and personal information?
Very! We take the security of your and your children's personal information seriously. Our students' permanent school records are archived in locked, fire-proof file cabinets, and documents containing obsolete personal information are shredded and destroyed. Digital records are kept offline on password protected drives. We do not use outside sources or third party services (e.g., Google's services or cloud storage) to store personal information, and we do not share our students' records unless required by law without explicit parental/guardian or student consent.
You must notify us in writing if you wish to have your child's records sent to another person or entity. Note that we will provide you with access to your child's records after your child turns 18 years of age as long as your child is enrolled at our school. A student age 18 and older may formally request to restrict your access.
Sending Your Documents
Your documents may be mailed,
If your carrier requires a physical address, please mail them to:
Enrollments are processed Monday through Friday within three business days of receipt of the required documentation and payment. Expedited services (same day weekday and Saturday enrollments) are available for an additional fee.
Enrollment Fees and Payment Options
Enrollment Fees
Enrollment fees are payable at the time of enrollment and are non-refundable. Enrollment fees for new students are as follows:
| Program | Eligibility | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Program Entrance | Grades K–12 | $55 |
| Academic Program Entrance | Grades K–8 | $115 |
| High School Diploma Program Entrance | Grades 6-12 | $395 |
Payment Options
We accept:
- Cash (in person);
- Checks and money orders payable to Aspiring Heights Academy; and
- Credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal balance payments. (We use PayPal to process these transactions. You do not need a PayPal account to use this service.)
Payment may be mailed or sent via PayPal using the Pay Now button below or as provided after online form submission. You can also request a PayPal invoice. If you are enrolling more than one student under the same program and are paying by PayPal, please pay the enrollment fees in a single payment. You can change the quantity after you are directed to PayPal's payment page. Expedited service fees must be paid separately from enrollment fees if you are paying with PayPal using our Pay Now buttons.
Pay Now with PayPal
Ready to Enroll?
