FloridaShines Flyer
Standard Program
Aspiring Heights Academy helps home educating parents comply with Florida's school attendance laws by serving as a legal school of record. Under our Standard Program, parents only need to keep and report attendance. Parents choose, plan, oversee, and manage their children's curriculum and maintain their academic records. We provide guidance, correspond with former and future schools, assist parents and students with FLVS Flex course options, and offer educator and student identification cards, school email accounts, and Microsoft Office 365 Education. Students ages 5 through 19 are eligible for enrollment under this program and have until their 21st birthday or 5th year of high school, which ever comes first, to complete their coursework.
- 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.
Program Fees
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New Students$55
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Returning Students$45
Program Features
- Open to Students in Grades K–12
- Permanent Recordkeeping Services
- Educator and Student Identification Cards
- School Email and Office 365 Education Accounts
- FLVS Course Access
If your student will be earning credits through FLVS, you may obtain transcripts via their website.
Other Program Options
We also offer transcript services, certificates, and high school diplomas. Please see our academic and diploma program pages for details. For an overview of all programs offered, see our program comparison guide.
