SMIC Academy SMIC Academy SMIC Academy SMIC Academy SMIC Academy SMIC Academy
 

FAQs



Q:

Where do I drop off my children for you to teach them?

A:

SMIC Academy is a cover school, not a curriculum or class provider.  Our leadership encourages parents to receive the blessings that come with teaching your children in your own home.  Many of our older students take some or all of their classes at one of the many co-ops or tutorials in our city.  See the link on our main menu:  Homeschooling Info > Classes/Tutorials.

Q:

How do I enroll?  Is it too late?  

A:

Our standard enrollment period is May 1 - Aug 1.  After August 1, requests for late enrollment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Tuition and fees for late enrollment are the same. 

Please see our page on How to Enroll.  https://www.homeschool-life.com/956/custom/67181

 

Q:

What do you require for enrollment?

A:

Please see our About Us pages for information on how to enroll, what we offer, and what we require of our families.

Q:

Do you require a statement of faith?

A:

Yes.  We are a ministry of Shades Mountain Community Church.  Our academy members must sign a statement of faith that is similar to SMCC's doctrinal summary.  Our Academy members must have a membership or commitment to a church of similar doctrine and practice.

Please see our How to Enroll page https://www.homeschool-life.com/956/custom/67181

Q:

Can I make a donation to SMIC Academy?  

A:

Yes!  Please use this link to our donation page.  

Make a donation

 

Q:

What sports do you offer?

A:

We limit our enrollment, so this limits our ability to have our own teams that require larger numbers of players.  However, there are many ways that homeschool students can participate in sports.

1. Some of our students participate in public school athletics at their local school.  The law requires that a high school student take an additional class from the public school along with his PE/Athletic Life course.  

2.  Homeschoolers can join a local homeschool sports program such as East Central, Lighthouse, or Trinity.  These programs have real coaches, conferences, and playoffs.  Trinity has a drumline/colorguard program as well.  Some of our students participate in football and basketball with these programs.

3. Because SMICA is an ACEA member school, we can compete in some sports, individually or as a team.  We have had a *cross-country track team (for several years because the practice schedule is homeschool friendly), soccer camps, tennis team, and a *volleyball team.  All homeschool athletic teams need a coach, so when our school has had parents interested in coaching, we have had teams (competitive and non-competitive).  

Q:

I cannot find SMIC Academy on the list of schools on the FAFSA?  What should I do?

A:

Some schools are not on FAFSA's list of schools.  After searching, you can simply enter our full school name, city, and state.

Shades Mountain Independent Church Academy, Birmingham, AL

On these forms, SMICA students should not usually say they are homeschooled.  SMICA students are enrolled in a church school, under Alabama law.

Q:

How do I request a transcript or request my student's records?  How long do you keep records?

A:

For students who need a high school transcript, please visit our Transcript Request page.

For parents wishing to access other parts of their student's file, please contact our Registrar.  

We have recently adopted a records retention policy.  We keep transcripts and records of attendance permanently.  All other documents are subject to secure destruction 5 years after withdrawing or graduating. Please contact us if you would like your files back.

Q:

What are the options for taking achievement tests? 

A:

SMIC Academy offers a current in-person testing event in the Spring.  We currently provide the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.  

Please see these two pdfs for more info.

FAQs on taking the Iowa Test

Other Testing options (Stanford, Iowa, CAT 1970, CAT/5, CAT/6 TerraNova, etc.)