 Nitty Gritty
Okay, let's get down to what you really want to know...
1. Our sponsoring church is Everest Family Ministry in Graysville, Alabama, but we cover state wide and have activity directors located throughout Alabama.
2. We do not require a statement of faith. We welcome families from all religions.
3. How much does it cost? $110 for the first year per family and $90 each year after.
4. Enrollment fee is due at the time of enrollment. In the case of an extreme financial hardship, you may write two separate checks and postdate one of the checks for up to a month.
5. Attendance Record - Everest only needs to know days of unexcused absences from learning. We require 160 days of learning out of 365 possible days. That being said, there should not be any unexcused absences. You keep up with your attendance and only turn it in when you need a transcript generated (at graduation or if transferring). You may keep up with attendance however you see fit. For your convenience, here is one option: Excel Grades & Attendance
6. Grading - How you keep up with grades is a personal choice. Everest only needs grades when you need an official transcript generated. You may keep up with grades however you see fit. For your convenience, here is one option: Excel Grades & Attendance
7. How soon can I start? Today! You can email Everest Academy a "letter of intent" at everestacademy1@gmail.com stating your name, your child's name, and the name of the school you are withdrawing them from. You will need to go ahead and print and send in your enrollment papers to Everest Academy. If the school contacts you, you are welcome to give them our phone number and let them know you are enrolling with us.
8. No curriculum approval. You know your child far better than we do. Every child learns differently, and no one knows that better than the parent.
9. Everest Academy does not furnish your curriculum. Need help? You can look here to read our Thoughts on Curriculum and Curriculum Resources.
10. What methods of schooling does Everest support? Everest supports traditional schooling, unschooling, eclectic, work study, Charlotte Mason, dual enrollment, job shadowing, and any other method that you choose to use with your child.
11. The State of Alabama nor Everest Academy require standardized testing. If you are interested in testing your child, please read this.
12. Field Trips - We offer a ton of resources, but they are only offered and not required. You pick and choose what you want your family to participate in.
13. Everest Academy has year-round enrollment.
14. Everest Academy does not have required meetings.
15. If I homeschool my children, can they still go to college? Colleges are now actively recruiting homeschoolers. They will need to fulfill credit requirements and take the ACT test just like any other graduating high schooler.
16. If I homeschool my children, can they enlist in the military? Military bound homeschoolers are now recruited at Tier 1 just like any other high schooler.
17. Want to enroll? Go here...
18. What if I decide to put my child back in a school setting? Look here....
EVEREST ACADEMY OFFERS
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Legal Church School covering
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A year-round calendar that allows families to learn in a natural and flexible manner running from June 1 - May 31. This calendar allows you to work or take breaks as needed for your family. You can choose to follow the traditional school year or follow whatever schedule suits your family.
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Year-round enrollment (no proration of fees available) running from June 1 - May 31
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Local field trips
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Camp opportunities
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Student I.D. & Teacher I.D. (for a minimal fee)
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Road trips such as deeply discounted group Disney trips
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As part of your enrollment at Everest Academy, you will receive the weekly Everest Academy newsletter delivered via email which includes information on field trips, reading incentives, science fairs, contests, camps, free events, educational clubs such as American Girl Club and Career Club, social opportunities such as the spring dance and Teen Scene, and many more resources. It is your responsibility to read this newsletter. If you do not have Internet access, we suggest using a Gmail web address at the library. The newsletter will not be sent postal mail. It is your responsibility to inform Everest Academy of e-mail address changes
- Access to the Everest Academy website with tons of educational resources
- Holiday parties such as Christmas, Valentine's and Easter (maybe more)
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Sponsored park days and other play dates
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Yearly used curriculum swap/sale/Freecycle events
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Full support of all teaching methods including but not limited to eclectic, traditional, and unschooling methods
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Full support of dual enrollment
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Four levels of diploma
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Official transcript for graduating seniors at no cost
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Official diploma for graduating seniors (fees apply)
- Presidential Volunteer Challenge
- Free online community for Alabama Homeschoolers
- Career Club
- Art Appreciation Series
- Graduation Ceremony
- Awards Ceremony
- Junior Master Gardeners Program
- Water Safety/Swim Sessions
- American Girl Club
- Teen Ambassador Program
- Teen Scene
- President's Fitness Challenge
- Special Needs Support Group
- 4H
- Family Scouting
- Outdoor Adventure Group
- Six Flags Reading Incentive
- ....more!!!!
 EVEREST ACADEMY DOES NOT REQUIRE
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A Statement of Faith
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Membership in HSLDA
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Interview process
- Detailed record keeping including hours
- Exit exams at graduation
- Standardized testing
- Monthly payments
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Lesson plans or curriculum approval
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Parent meetings
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Dress Codes
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Monthly Meetings
 Please Remember Everest Academy is here to support you in your right to homeschool your child(ren); however, it is the responsibility of the parent to arrange for all curricula, education, transportation and child care. Everest Academy is not responsible for choosing or purchasing your curricula.
ATTENDANCE REPORTS/PROGRESS REPORTS
Everest Academy desires in every way to hold to the Alabama State Law requirements for church schoolers. We do not require an attendance record to be turned in unless you are transferring out of Everest Academy or graduating. Everest Academy requires an attendance record reporting any unexcused absences from learning with transcript grading information for each year attended Everest Academy upon the event that the student should withdraw or graduate from Everest Academy. Each school year will run from June 1 - May 31. You may obtain the required 160 days anytime within these dates. Some families may choose to follow the public school schedule while others may come up with their own schedule. The choice is your's.
ACCREDITATION
Is Everest Academy accredited? No, as is the case with most church schools. Accreditation is defined as follows: The act of accrediting or the state of being accredited, especially the granting of approval to an institution of learning by an official review board after the school has met specific requirements. These requirements include but are not limited to class size, subjects taught by certain experts, number of fire exits, and a lot of things home educators do not encounter since we are not in a classroom setting. Furthermore, the Code of Alabama 1975, §16-28-24 states: There is no statutory authority authorizing or requiring any state or local authority to regulate church schools, which may conduct classes in any manner they see fit. There is no requirement that church school teachers be certified or that a church school be accredited by the state or any private agency. No state or governmental agency has the authority to regulate a church school. Does this affect your child's ability to attend college? No, colleges are interested in a graduate's ACT or SAT scores along with transcripts. Most Alabama colleges require the ACT test.
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