• Home
  • Members Only
facebook
twitter
email
pinterest
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Enrollment
  • Resources
  • Athletics
  • Member Page
  • Contact Us

  • Curriculum Closet & Library
    Just for Essential families...
  • Legacy Sports
    Make plans to cheer on the Lions!
  • 2025-2026 Enrollment
    Closed until December

Welcome to Essential!

Essential Church School is a Christian church school for grades K-12 allowing off-site instruction for homeschooling families in the Birmingham metro area.

2025-2026 Enrollment

Visit the Enrollment page for more information about enrollment with Essential. Our 2025-2026 enrollment is currently open for the month of December, and enrollment will close completely on December 31st.Β  Contact us if you have any questions or special requests.Β Β 

Homeschooling Workshop – December 4th

Register to attend this virtual event!

essentialcs

πŸ—“οΈ This month's 3H Teen Hang is a House Hang from πŸ—“οΈ This month's 3H Teen Hang is a House Hang from 12pm - 2pm.
 
Wear your favorite team jersey/shirt! Any team, any sport! 
🏈 πŸ€βšΎπŸπŸŒοΈπŸ‘•πŸ‘š
Not a sports fan? No problem, just come for the fun! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

***This group is exclusively for high schoolers- must be at least 14 and in 9th grade by Sept. 1st.***

See the School Calendar on your Member Page at essentialchurchschool.org for location and other important information!

#morethanacover
Essential operates as a church school as defined b Essential operates as a church school as defined by the Alabama code. As a student enrolled in a church school, it is required by law that you, the parent, submit the fully signed Church School Enrollment Form to your local public school superintendent. *This only has to be done upon enrollment or if there is a change in residency*

We format this form for you upon enrollment, sign it, and send you instructions for submitting it correctly. Having proof that you have submitted this form is important in the case that your student's enrollment is ever questioned. So, keep a certified mail receipt with your forms!

The only other legal obligation beyond actually educating your children is the maintenance of an attendance record. A 'record' is not just a number of school days - it is the notation of actual days when education is taking place with your students. We provide both a printable record as well as an online form at the top of your Member Page.

#morethanacover
πŸŽ‰ Birmingham Christian College Fair πŸŽ‰ Thursday, Oc πŸŽ‰ Birmingham Christian College Fair πŸŽ‰
Thursday, Oct 30 at 12-2 pm πŸ—“οΈ

πŸŽ“ High school students are encouraged to register to explore options for post-graduation. 
πŸŽ“ Seniors will gain continued connection for admission and scholarship options. 

For more information visit the School Calendar on your Member Page πŸ“Ž

#morethanacover
No Clip! Box Tops is now done without any clipping No Clip! Box Tops is now done without any clipping.  All you need to do is download their app - info at boxtops4eduction.com - and start scanning your receipts!  This new structure allows you to not only choose your School, but also choose a grade level for competing for most Box Tops earned!

Fundraising programs such as the Box Tops program benefit Essential and ultimately your family.  Fundraising keeps our tuition costs low and allows us to provide access to resources like Enchanted Learning, Super Teacher Worksheets, etc.  It also gives Essential the ability to support local homeschool programs and events.  Funds are also used to build our school's curriculum library - free resources for our families! It is amazing how something as simple as scanning your shopping receipts can have such a big impact!

#morethanacover
Follow on Instagram

What Our Families Say

  • The information meetings, personal guidance, and resources have been an invaluable help in our homeschool! We're grateful for ECS!
    Lynn Groom,
  • Essential staff have always been amazing in personally helping me with homeschooling and cover school questions or struggles. Thank you for doing what you do for us.
    Lea,
  • Essential Church School was the perfect cover school for a beginner homeschool family! Kristy was SO responsive and helpful. I loved the freedom of getting to choose everything we do and how, with just the attendance to report. I enjoyed that flexibility. I also love the affordable price to enroll. HUGE help with a one income family!
    Ashley Rogers,
  • I love Essential! I was so overwhelmed our first year of homeschooling, especially choosing a cover school! But Essential is the perfect blend of having a community and school guidelines with the freedom to teach however it fits your family.
    Brittany B.,
  • Essential school is a very cost effective, low requirement cover school option. The staff is very quick to respond with any questions I may have and knowledgeable.
    Iris,
  • Essential has been such a blessing to me and our family! It is affordable and being able to submit grades and attendance online has made our world-traveling family home school experience so much easier! I've tried other cover schools so trust me on this!! And Kristy is absolutely the most helpful and informative home school administrator I know!
    Connie B.,
  • I have enjoyed being a part of Essential. The website makes everything convenient and readily available for keeping the students grades, attendance, etc organized. Kristy has always been helpful and supportive with questions that have come up.
    Shea,
  • We love the peace of mind, support, and knowledge that ECS gives.
    Lynn Groom,
  • Working with Essential Church School has been a great experience for our family. They've provided the administrative support I was looking for, they encourage community, and still allolw us all the freedom we crave as a homeschooling family. Thank you, ECS!
    Sandra Girouard,
  • We have used Essential Church School for our legal school cover and school records for five years now. There was one year my son needed to transfer to public school for part of the year. Having our records at ECS made it a breeze to transfer everything over. We're so thankful to Kristy Trent and the other administrators who have helped us at ECS throughout the years.
    Amanda Ansel,
  • What I love about Essential is that they're affordable compared to other church schools and they are very prompt with e-mails. They are on top of everything which is great and are very helpful if you have any questions, concerns, etc. I also love that they offer home school families different ways to learn, have fun, and meet new people. I can honestly say that I have had a good experience with Essential and look forward to many more years with them.
    S.C.
  • Essential is a rapidly growing cover school that strives to create a Christian school experience. From the park dates to the graduations, ECS has helped my family transition from public school to homeschool with ease! Kristy is truly a Godsend!
    Nikita
  • Everyone I had the privilege to deal with was ready and willing to help and support me. Β I appreciated that very much!
    Jeannie
  • Essential Church School has been a constant source of support and an invaluable resource in our homeschooling journey.
    Robin Wiggins
  • Lost Your Password?

Members Login

  • Lost Your Password?
Copyright 2020 Essential Church School