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To homeschool your kids in Alabama, you must either be a certified teacher, or you must enroll under a church school, also called a cover school. There are several in Alabama (Cover Schools), but many of them are Christian in nature and requirements, and none that I found are specifically pagan.
Sacred Grove Academy was formed by Church of the Spiral Tree, a legally incorporated tax-exempt pagan church (Section 501(a) organization under 501(c)(3)), in order to serve Pagan families in Alabama who want to homeschool their children, but do not wish to do so under the auspices of a Christian or secular cover school. Sacred Grove serves all of Alabama, but is based out of Phenix City.
Sacred Grove accepted its first student in summer of 1999, and now is up to nearly 50 students, all over Alabama! Sacred Grove is being run solely and entirely by one person, Patricia Greer- Middleton, who is not an educator at all, but rather an organizer and administrator. Our requirements are minimal, but so are our offerings. Hopefully this will change in the future, especially if we get some more volunteers to help out with the work load! Ideally, we'd like to be able to offer field trips, tutoring programs, driver's education, etc.
Homeschool FAQs - Great info for first-time homeschoolers!
Church School Enrollment Form
CSEF, pdf format
CSEF, html format
Admission Form
Admission, pdf format
Admission, html format
Do you need an attendance form to fill out? Download either one of these two files.
Attendance Form Version 1
Attendance Form Version 2
Do you need a blank report card to fill out? Download these two files, print out one, flip the paper over, and print the other one. The first file is the front and back, the second on is the inside.
Report Card, outside
Report Card, inside
Blank transcripts you can download, print, and fill out.
Transcript for Grades K-8
Transcript for High School
Want to request your child's school records from a former school? Print this out, fill it out, and mail it to the former school.
Records Transfer Request form - DO NOT SEND THIS FORM TO SACRED GROVE!!!
For more forms, go to our Parents Help links, or to our Teens and Highschoolers links.
For Enrolled Families:
The coverage of a church school, as required by Alabama law
Filing of church school enrollment form with your local Board of Education, with a copy kept in
our files
Mailing of school records from previous schools to you (or we can keep them in our files)
Twice-yearly newsletter
Curriculum information (we do not provide or pay for books)
Networking of families enrolled in school
Info on where to take Stanford Achievement testing (at students' expense)
Info on where to find Driver's Ed programs
For Enrolled and Previously Enrolled Families:
Help with writing transcripts for future schools (if needed)
Easy access by phone, e-mail, or AIM
Diplomas (parent should provide grades and a letter stating that student has earned the
diploma)
Letters offering proof of enrollment or withdrawal for purposes of GED, driver's licenses, work
permits, etc.
Please note: For a previously enrolled family to qualify for the above items, all attendance
forms must have been sent in for past years (See "Attendance Forms" under Policies), all prior
enrollment and tuition
fees must have been paid, and an official notice of withdrawal must have been given prior to the
student withdrawing from Sacred Grove Academy (See Withdrawal Policies).
.
The parents of every child in Alabama should read the state educational law codes for themselves, as well as investigate thoroughly the educational methods available to their children. You should also read the law codes thoroughly as they regard homeschooling, or church schools. Decide what YOU think it says, and consult a lawyer if you think it is necessary.
The parent has the ultimate responsibility for educating their child in whatever manner they see fit. The only thing absolutely required by law in Alabama is an enrollment form for each child and an attendance record. The curriculum you teach is up to you; the days you will school are up to you; any religious instruction you will or will not include is up to you. As a responsible parent, you should educate yourself thoroughly on the subject of homeschooling, state law, and curriculums. Sacred Grove Academy is here to provide you with legal cover, but we do not mandate in any way the education of your child. For further legal information, info on curriculums, info on homeschooling, etc., see the links below.
Homeschooling in Alabama: Opinions on the Matter (a MUST read!)
Need I Join the Homeschooling Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)?
Alabama Law Codes - Specific codes for homeschooling
Summary of Alabama Law - Another source of codes
Code of Alabama - Click on Title 16
Homeschool FAQs - Great info for first-time homeschoolers!
List your support group! The Home Educators Resource Directory's goal is to maintain a comprehensive up-to-date list of Area Support groups; all listings are free of charge.
a2z - An Auburn-Opelika home educators support group, meets the second Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:30 pm for informal discussions. Various other activities are planned throughout the month. All parents and children are welcome regardless of educational philosophy or methodology. For meeting location or more information, join their e-list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/a2z- loop.
Creative Play Workshop - Attachment parenting oriented playgroup in the greater Birminham area. The fees are very affordable ($10 per month) and meetings are weekly. It's a combination playgroup/homeschool co-op for the preschool set and support group for AP parents. For more information please see our email loop at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ CreativePlayWorkshop/, or email Amy at aisling@inline.com.
ECHO - Elmore County Homeschool Organization (ECHO), a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area (Elmore, Autauga, Montgomery) of Alabama. We seek to provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children and to furnish a forum for support and encouragement to their parents in the homeschooling process. We also welcome those who are thinking about homeschooling. http://www.onlineecho.com/.
Mobile Homeschool Playgroup - We offer support, playdates, park days and field trips for homeschooling families in Mobile and Baldwin County. http://groups.yahoo.com/gr oup/Mobilehomeschoolplaygroup.
For other support groups and info on homeschooling in Alabama, go to: Sacred Grove's list of Homeschooling Support Groups or Web Sites
Well, I tried keeping a list of current and upcoming events, but it just didn't work out. These folks below keep much better lists than I do, so please visit their web pages (and let me know if you find other lists!):
HEART On-line Calendar for Alabama
AlaPagan_HS (Alabama Pagan Homeschool List) - Open to all pagan and pagan-friendly families in Alabama who homeschool. It is run jointly by Church of the Spiral Tree and Sacred Grove Academy. Our goal is networking, spreading information about events relevant to each other and finding contacts in other parts of the state. We welcome you to join our list.
SacredGroveHS (Sacred Grove Academy List) - This is a closed list for enrolled families and friends and supporters of Sacred Grove Academy, with a screening process in place. Enrolled families will be automatically subscribed to this list. This very low-volume list is a way for us to send you notices, and basically keep in touch with you.
Acorns -Acorns is an online newsletter for pagan homeschoolers. It is published 8
times per year, and is in its third year of publication. We currently have a subscription
base of over 600.
CreativeHomeEducators-NorthGeorgia - The purpose of Creative Home Educators is to
form a group of home educators who follow an Earth Centered Spirituality (many of us are
Pagan, but not all use that label). We come together for play dates, field trips, cooperative
learning experiences, and support with home schooling issues. Creative Home Educators - North
Georgia has members in the North Georgia and Greater Atlanta areas, with activities scheduled
in both areas.
CreativeHomeEducators-SouthGeorgia - The purpose of Creative Home Educators is to
form a group of home educators who follow an Earth Centered Spirituality (many of us are
Pagan, but not all use that label). We come together for play dates, field trips, cooperative
learning experiences, and support with home schooling issues. This is the email list for the South
Georgia branch of Creative Home Educators. As membership of this list grows we will be
offering play dates, field trips, Seasonal Cooperative Learning Experiences and much more for
the South Georgia area of Creative Home Educators.
Many Paths Homeschoolers Folks are welcome regardless of race, religion (or lack of
it), lifestyle, homeschool style, sexual orientation or family makeup. Bring your sense of humor,
an open mind and a willingness to learn about others! The one thing we all have in common is
that we want the best for our children. This list was started by a Christian mom and a Pagan
mom
who met online and decided to build bridges of understanding between homeschoolers of every
persuasion. Before being added to the list, you will be asked to write an introductory post.
Many_Paths-2 - Many Paths - 2 is a support loop for all kinds of homeschoolers. This group
includes those who use "box" curriculum to "unschoolers", and all styles in between. We hope to
be a community, and promote the feeling of neighbors talking over the fence, about our hopes
and trials. This does mean, it may not always be about "just" homeschool, sometimes it's about
life. This group is multiethnic and we have many different religions, pagans, Muslim, Jews,
Christians, etc - all welcome. However, conversations trying to get another to change their
religion will not be tolerated.
P-H-S -The PAGAN HOMESCHOOLER'S LIST is a CLOSED list for **pagan parents only** with a screening process in place. Upon subscribing (this will automatically become a pending subscription) you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to proceed, please read it carefully. This list started in January 1997 by four women on AOL, and was the first email list for pagan homeschoolers. By pagan we mean those who practice earth based religions, including but not solely limited to Witches and Druids. Our activities mainly focus on email support for one another. The newsletter, Acorns, originated on this list, and some of us have had real life camp outs together. Some of us who live close to each other have actually gotten together for homeschool support! This is a HIGH VOLUME list.It is not uncommon to receive 200-300 posts per day. We talk about many issues on the list- all of which are pertinent to supporting the pagan homeschooler. If you have questions you can reach either the list mother at: cheyenne@candle.mv.com. Thank you for your interest in our list, we hope to see you join us soon!
Pagan-HEN - This E-group is dedicated to the proposition that all children are to be
respected and treated intelligently, even if they are little Heathens. If you Home educate full
time, or just supplement their education at home, I will welcome all contribution. Religion or
culture will not be a test of membership. There is a wealth of information about children and
giving them an education. This group is dedicated to that effort. While focused on
Pagan/Heathen philosophies, We will welcome any who Home Educate their children, Even if
they go to a regular school. For more information, visit http://www.geocities.com/MyPaganHEN/
.
Paganhomeschool - Pagan Home School is open to all Pagan Parents whether you are
currently homeschooling your children or are thinking about it. Topics vary from whether to
homeschool or unschool to what curriculum is best for those who chose to use it. But most of all
I want this list to be about the pagan children and the unique position they are facing.
How can we help each other help them to become well educated and responsible adults, pagan or
not. There will not be any flaming allowed, I don't have time for it and will unsub you
immediately. This is a friendly place for us to help each other.
PaganHomeSchooling - This list is for parents who are Pagans and interested in living
their children a more personalized education than they could get in a public school to meet and
exchange ideas. Hopefully it will result in small groups of parents and children with interests in
magick meeting for educational and recreational purposes. Eventually schools could be set up in
areas where there are larger concentrations of Pagans as has been done in several areas of the
country.
Pagan_Teen_Homeschool - Are you a Pagan teenager who is homeschooling or unschooling? If so, join this list to meet new friends.
pagantotshs - Pagan Tots Homeschool is a group of support for parents looking for
ideas
to help homeschool toddlers and young children (Ages 1 to 4) This is a pagan centered list,
however it is not the sole focus of the list. Ideas will be exchanged, but this list may also include
chit-chat about other issues affecting parents of toddler/preschool aged children.
PFHL - The Pagan Family Homeschool List is open to all members of the Pagan
community, from elders to youngsters!
RoseRock - Rose Rock Global Homeschool Network is a network of INCLUSIVE
support groups open to all homeschoolers regardless of race, nationality or religion. This e-mail
loop is open to all homeschooler around the world. And we do HAVE members from around
the world!! Rose Rock also has active groups in different areas who meet for park days and field
trips! Join us! At least get in on our e-mail fun and visit our website. :-D Current list of inclusive
support groups includes Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Japan and
we are still adding more!!
Alabama Homeschooling - The Alabama Homeschooling list email is a function of the
Alabama Independent Church Schools Association (AICSA) which exists to support Parent
Educators who operate as or through church schools. (152 members)
alabamahomeschool - For people who home schooling or are thinking of
homeschooling
in Alabama. Kids and Parents alike! Here you can exchange ideas! support each other! give links
for school stuff! just talk including, scripture, God, church, parents, kids, home cleaning, lessons
and curriculum, on-line courses, and web sites. (70 members)
ALINDHS - Alabama Independent Homeschoolers list is for those in Alabama whose
home/family church sponsors the church school through which they home educate their children.
Many of us refer to this as "being our own covering." Those and only those, who have already
begun such a venture are invited to subscribe this list. (For church schools offering enrollment to
more than approximately 10 families, regardless whether sponsored by a home/family church or
not, other lists, such as DACS http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/DACS
will better address their situation.
CARE - Central AL REsource for home educators (CARE) - An inclusive list for
Alabama homeschoolers, regardless of church school affiliation. We offer a monthly calendar of
events and activities. For more information, visit
HEART-list - This is a medium to high volume list which is open to anyone interested
in home education. The list not only welcomes diversity but it encourages it. It is a place to
meet and talk with other people involved in home education. You will make friends, gain
support, and learn new things.
HS1inAL -Are you homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling your only child in
Alabama? Is your child losing his/her friends to public school? Perhaps your child is not
fortunate enough to live near cousins or other young family members. If this describes you and
your only child and you're getting frustrated trying to find playmates, let's meet here and
exchange ideas about socializing our children (and other homeschool-related topics).
homeschool-Alabama - This list is for the discussion of topics related to homeschooling
in Alabama. (98 members)
Alabama Unschoolers - AU is an open, unmoderated, inclusive list for anyone in, near
or moving to Alabama with an interest in homeschooling with unschooling leanings. Since
unschooling encompasses everything in your life *nothing* is considered off-topic. Our only
rule
is respect - you can disagree with anyone, including the list-owner, without fear of any reprisals
as long as you attack the idea, *not* the person. For more information, http://AlabamaUnschoolers.freeservers.com
.
A2Z Loop - A2Z is a home educators support group in Auburn, Alabama, which meets
the second Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:30 pm for informal discussions. Various other
activities are planned throughout the month. All parents and children are welcome regardless of
educational philosophy or methodology. For meeting location or more information, call 334-745-
2357.
CreativePlayWorkshop - Welcome to the NurtureByNatureNetwork(NNNetwork)
Alabama Chapter's Creative Play Workshop! We are an Attachment Parenting oriented group of
mothers in or near Birmingham who gather together with our children for weekly fun and
learning. Each week you and your child(ren) will share exciting learning and play adventures
with other moms and children. The Creative Play Workshop is a cooperative venture, and
participation from members is expected in the form of teacher rotations. Along with other
members, you will take your turn in the rotation line-up as a Workshop Leader for an
approximate one-hour period.
homeschool_AL_blountjeffco - This group is for those homeschoolers or potential
homeschoolers living in Blount and Jefferson County, Alabama. So, grab a cup of coffee and
come join us. I will also be using this list to set dates for field trips that I'll be planning for all
homeschoolers. If you see a field trip that you think someone else may enjoy too please pass on
the details.
mobilehomeeducators - Mobile Home Educators is a homeschool support group based
in Mobile, Alabama. It is inclusive of all homeschoolers regardless of race, religion,
socio-economic background, or sexual orientation (or anything else we can think of that could
cause discrimination) :-) If you homeschool and are looking for a place to meet other home
educators in Mobile County, then this is the place. We will be planning field trips, play groups
and other activities as we grow! We are new and just forming (5/02) so don't get frustrated if
we
aren't overwhelmingly booming with e-mails.
pikehomeschoolers - This site is designed to help homeschoolers in Pike county
Alabama to be able to stay in touch with and encourage each other. In an effort to promote and
assist one another in the home-schooling of their children, members of this site in pike
County Alabama share ideas, prayer requests and accomplishments with the rest of the group.
This site is open to home-schoolers in Pike County Alabama.
SEALhomeschoolers - SouthEast Alabama Homeschoolers is a support and
information
group for homeschoolers in SouthEast Alabama. (Coffee, Dale, Houston, Pike, Geneva area,
others are welcome as well!!!) Events, organizations, curriculum swaps, homeschool websites,
etc are welcome to be posted.
Sacred Grove Academy is a church school operated under legal code 16-28-1, 16-28-3, 16-28-7,
and 16-46-3 (church school law) of the State of Alabama.
Back to Church of the Spiral Tree's main page
Regional Alabama Lists
For a much more extensive e-mail list of lists see Karen Gibson's Homeschooling E-mail Lists
Page: http://www.leapingfromtheb
ox.com/hs/elists/religious.html.
c/o Church of the Spiral Tree
P.O. Box 3338
Phenix City, Alabama 36868
homeschool@sacredgroveacademy.org