Teen Driver Summit
2025-02-11 08:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | University of North Alabama, Florence, 35632, United States
Ur Keys 2 Drv is an interactive educational day for young drivers. Open to 8th-12th grade students in Alabama.
Reservation required to attend with Essential’s group. FREE admission, and lunch is provided.
SCROLL DOWN below the registration form to view the details of this event.
REGISTER HERE
​Please log onto your Member Page and return to this page to complete form. This event is open to Essential families only.

EVENT DETAILS
Keynote Speaker: Mike Lützenkirchen

The father of former Auburn football star, Philip Lützenkirchen, Mike Lützenkirchen serves as the Executive Director of the Lutzie 43 Foundation.
He shares an honest and courageous discussion of Phillip’s life: “Philip’s Legacy…What Legacy Are You Leaving?”
Mike has spoken to over 100 schools on the importance of good character and decision making.
The Lutzie 43 Foundation aims to develop the character of young athletes and their coaches focusing on leadership, charity, compassion, mentorship, hard work, honesty and faith.
www.Lutzie43.org

Breakout Sessions:
Power of You(th)

Presented by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) & ABC Board
Power of You(th) is an interactive presentation. Some of the decisions you make today will affect you for the rest of your life. Having good information will help you make good choices. This presentation will also present the Alcohol Beverage Control Board’s Underage/Under Arrest Program.
Presenters: Pamela Morton – MADD, Eddie Lard – ABC Board and Dean Argo – ABC Board

Alabama Teen Driver Quiz

Presented by ASF Foundation & State Farm
This session is an interactive quiz in a “game show” format with live, real-time remote participant responses and scoring. It covers topics such as Distracted Driving, Graduated Driver’s License and other driving laws, Seat Belt Safety and Teen Driving Trends and Statistics.

Choices Behind the Wheel: To the ER and Beyond

Presented by Children’s of Alabama (COA)
Students will experience what happens in a trauma room of the Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit to rehabilitation in and after the hospital. Application of medical equipment such as neck collars, splints and backboards may be used on some students.
Presenters: Julie Farmer – COA and Adam Lansdon – COA

Drive Safe Alabama

Presented by Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
Participants go through “behind the wheel” simulated driving experiences, and they experience the effects of being under the influence of substances by wearing special goggles. ALDOT along with Alabama State Troopers will lead this informative session by allowing students to simulate the dangers of distracted driving and driving under the influence. The objective is to change the driving habits and behaviors in order to prevent them from becoming a part of the increasing crash and fatality statistics of young drivers.

Driving Simulator

Hands on experience is the best teacher, but through technology students are able to gain knowledge of the road from the comfort and safety of the class room.

BHC Valentine's Day Party
2025-02-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Veteran’s Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL, 35242, United States
Join us for a valentine swap and valentine box competition judged by the teens – which makes this a perfect family event!
Bring snack and drink to share.
Box Judging begins at 1:30pm
Valentine Swap begins at 2pm

Ready? Let's Read! Christian Book Fair
2025-02-24 07:00 - 2025-03-09 23:00 | Virtual
Essential is excited to offer this resource for our families and students!

Ben Davis - Watch Him Fly
2025-02-25 12:00 - 14:00 | Southern Museum of Flight, 4343 73rd St North, Birmingham, 35206, United States
Join us for a special presentation at the Southern Museum of Flight!
A One-Man Stage Play based on the life of a true American hero, General Benjamin O.
Davis Jr. – the first commander of the Tuskegee Airmen – Red Tails. This is a theatrical
experience that is inspirational and part of the fabric of our American History. This play
is perfect for school groups and children ages 8 and up. Students are welcome and
encouraged to engage in an Q&A session with Mr. Pridgen after the show.
This event is only for ages 8 and up. Young children are not able to attend, and if parents bring small children, they will have to pay for museum admission and monitor young children while the older ones attend the play. In addition, if you are wanting to “drop off” students, please contact us before completing registration, so we can verify and plan for this.
We are opening this up to the homeschool community for admissions, so Essential families can invite friends.

Homeschool Mom's Night Out
2025-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Essential Church School Offices, 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
Join us on March 13 @ 6 as we make a perfume roller and lip gloss. The cost for this event is $15. Bring a snack to share. Email Mandy at 1homeschoolmom23@gmail.com to RSVP.

Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
2025-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, 36117, United States
Join Essential families in experiencing the literature of the past coming to life on stage!
Adventurous & Funny Heroic Folktale (Ages 10+)
A fun-loving young man comes face to face with the kind of greed and inhumanity that won’t let him sleep at night. Suddenly he’s an outlaw hiding in Sherwood Forest where he joins up with a band of followers including Little John, Friar Tuck, and a feisty adventuress, Maid Marian.
ACT FAST! Reserve your admissions by Thursday, March 13 at noon! There are two payment options for you to use. The first form is through a new payment service Essential has started using to help with card processing fees. As a nonprofit organization, Zeffy allows us to receive payments without charging processing fees, BUT they do ask (automatically designate) for a donation to their company. We encourage you to consider donating at least a dollar per transaction, but you can choose your own amount or none at all.
Pay for discounted rate (and choose Other for optional Zeffy donation):

Use traditional form to pay – this includes processing fees:
We are no longer able to process admissions for this event. Group admissions have been purchased.

Velocity Irish Dance
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:30 | UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
This is a part of the Meet the Artist series with UAB’s ArtPlay.
Velocity is the next generation in Irish tap. Honoring past traditions but blasting them feet first into the 21st century, Velocity breaks away from the idea of what an Irish dance show is to one that is expressive, free, fast-paced and edgy, driven by passion and pride!

Led by Guinness World Record holder for The Fastest Feet in the World, James Devine, and five-time World Champion Irish dancer, David Geaney. Joined on stage by a motley crew of mind-blowing musicians and an old school scratch DJ, it’s nothing like you’ve ever seen before!
Please reserve your seats by using the RSVP option below. This event requires a commitment to attend – please DO NOT reserve your admission if you are not able to commit to attend.

The Wizard of Oz
2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:30 | BCT Mainstage Theatre, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Birmingham, 35203, United States
at the BJCC
in the MainStage Theatre | For ages 6 and older
Follow Dorothy and her faithful dog Toto on a whirlwind adventure through the Land of Oz, where they meet unforgettable characters like the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and that Wicked Witch. With catchy tunes, dazzling costumes, and stunning set designs, young audiences will be swept away to a fantastical world filled with wonder and excitement.

Jack and the Beanstalk
2025-04-08 09:30 - 10:30 | BCT Wee Folks Theatre, 2130 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Birmingham, 35203, United States
at the BJCC
in the Wee Folks Theatre* | For ages 4 – 8 years
Join brave young Jack as he climbs a towering beanstalk, leading him to a fantastical world filled with giants, treasures, and unexpected friendships. With the help of his Fairy Godmother, Jack will discover the importance of courage, kindness, and believing in oneself. Fee, fie, foe, fum, you won’t want to miss this one!
Reserve your admissions by April 1st!

Homeschool Alabama Capitol Day 2025
2025-04-10 | Montgomery, AL, Montgomery, AL, United States
Registration is now closed at https://homeschoolalabama.org. Space is limited for the day’s activities inside and around the Statehouse. BUT – your family can still participate in the afternoon rally together with other homeschool families from around the state.
Stay tuned for information about attending the “rally” at the end of the day. We will share these details as soon as it is confirmed by Homeschool Alabama.
In addition, if you missed the registration for the tours with Homeschool Alabama, there is so much to see and do in Montgomery! We hope to post an activity guide for our families who still want to be a part of the day.

Teen Zoo Field Trip Day
2025-04-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, 35223, United States
Join our Biology class for a field trip day to the Birmingham Zoo! We will explore the zoo together and make connections to what we have been learning this year. But, we will also enjoy some fellowship and fun together.
Younger students and parents can also secure admissions and take advantage of our discounted group rates. If you already have a zoo membership, you can enter using that admission.
Remember to secure your admissions before April 15th!

BHC Easter Park Day 2025
2025-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Cahaba Lily Park, 3200 County Road 52, Helena, AL, 35080, United States
Join us for an Easter egg hunt and community park day! Teens and dads are invited to “hide” the eggs for us, and we divide the park up for age appropriate hunts.
All participants are encouraged to bring a few eggs to share, and don’t forget a container for collecting eggs!
SCHEDULE
130 – Teens/Dads hide eggs
200 – each area (grades PreK-K, 1-3, and 4+) lines up to begin their respective hunts
230 – students search their eggs for prizes, and any unwanted eggs are collected for the next year’s event
We do suggest that you talk with your students about prizes before attending. Let them know that we celebrate with those who find the special eggs, and we are willing to share with those who may not have been as fortunate.
RSVP on the BHC website
If this is a rainy day, we will still gather under the main pavilion at the park for a modified activity and time together.
FREE EVENT

Morning Testing for Grades 3-8
2025-05-01 08:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-02 08:30 - 12:30 | Essential Church School Offices, 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
We will offer 2-day group in-person testing for students in grades 3-8 at our offices. Our testing room only accommodates 10 students, so space is VERY limited. (For information about online or at-home testing, visit the Testing information under the Resources tab above)
PLEASE NOTE: This is a 2-day testing process. Your student will be required to attend BOTH testing days.
Please complete the form below to reserve your student’s participation before April 1st. Essential families receive a discount on the test administration. Essential families should use the discount code: TEST2025
Non-Essential students can test with us, but you do have to verify that they are homeschooling students and where they are enrolled. The discount code cannot be used for non-Essential students.
Please check out our resource page at http://essentialchurchschool.org/resources/testing for other at-home testing options.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE TEST:
We are offering the Iowa Assessments Form E, which is the most up-to-date test available to our school. This test assesses a broad array of skills in these areas: • Vocabulary • Reading Comprehension • Language (Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Usage and Expression) • Math (Concepts and Estimation, Problem Solving and Data Interpretation, Computation) • Social Studies • Science • Sources of Information (Maps and Diagrams, Reference Materials). Students mark answers on a bubble sheet. Each section is timed. Test results are thorough and highlight strengths and weaknesses.
TEST PREP:
You can purchase and have your student go through a practice test. Amazon.com offers several test prep books, and Essential families should also explore our school library for resources.
LOCATION:
Essential Office Building at 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive
Park up and behind office building, and enter through back double door entrance.

Alabama Homeschool Prom 2025
2025-05-01 20:00 - 23:00 | Gabrella Manor, 8912 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35206, United States
For full details, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/414237074781513
8-11 pm (note the start time, it gets darker later in May and this also allows the kids to eat before Prom starts)

Cost: $70 per person (pay at the door), cash or check (if check make out to Gabrella Manor)
Open to any Homeschooler 9th grade and up, and a date, the date does not have to be homeschooled. Many kids come in groups that is fine as well.
Dress: Semi-Formal Boys need a suit or sport coat, Many girls will be in a prom-type dress.Note: I trust the parents on the dress, if the parents are ok with the dress I think I can be ok with the dress as well.

Snacks and drinks provided, NOT DINNER.

We have multiple Chaperones and everyone there who works at Gabrella is very familiar with our group by now and will have eyes open at all times. We have paid guards in uniform from the Sheriff’s Dept as well. Any parent that feels they simply must come with their child must pay to get in and be dressed for the dance.

We do allow parents to come in about 15 min before the dance to take photos and stay about 15 min after the dance begins, then we ask them to leave if they did not pay to stay…

Feel free to invite any other homeschool kids you know of.

Kindergarten Graduation 2025
2025-05-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Church of the Highlands | Greystone Campus, 1701 Lee Branch Lane, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
This special day typically includes a slideshow of our graduates, a personal recognition by parents, opportunities to share accomplishments through presentations and table displays, and a special cake reception for family and friends.
Essential families with enrolled kindergarten students should check their Member Page for the Kindergarten Graduation link in order to secure a discount code.
For your graduate to participate,
NEEDED BY APRIL 1
Order any needed caps/gowns/tassels by April 1st (click here for options). We encourage all graduates to have a cap and tassel. Our group order helps keep cost low.

NEEDED BY MAY 1

Pay the graduation fee and RSVP on the BHC website with graduate’s full name for diploma and preferred name for cake. Space is limited.
Email 3 pictures of your graduate to us by May 1st. Make sure you include at least 1 baby photo. Email to info@birminghamhomeschoolers.com
Invite family and friends to join us for this special day!

High School Graduation Ceremony
2025-05-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Church of the Highlands | Fultondale Campus, 3250 Lowery Pkwy, Fultondale, AL, 35068, United States
We look forward to a special, formal evening celebrating our high school graduates.
Graduates and their parents should use Graduation Information link on the Member Page to register for participation and admissions.
Admissions for friends and extended family are required for attendance. Please secure your attendance admission BEFORE May 15th. Admissions may be offered after this date, but they will reflect additional fees for adjustment charges. The admission ticket allows us to plan for attendance, cover photography, audio/visual, and cleaning services, and provide security/insurance for the venue.
Although admissions are not refundable, please contact us if you are unable to attend due to illness. We encourage everyone to continue to abide by health and safety guidelines in respect for others.
Scroll down to see the order form. Be careful entering your email address and selecting appropriate tickets. You will receive a confirmation email. Please forward this confirmation to any guests for whom you are purchasing tickets, so they can show as needed for entry. (The email does not have to be printed. Viewing on a phone will be acceptable.)
If you have any questions or issues with ticket purchase, please use the Contact Us tab above to send us a quick message.
Small children ages 5 and under do not require a ticket. Please note that this event can be long for young children. Consider having some quiet activities for them while sitting in the auditorium, or have them stay with a sitter for the evening.
RESERVATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

We asked for advance purchase of tickets before May 15th. Last minute tickets will be offered, but they may require additional expense to cover last minute adjustments to our numbers. Please use the Contact tab to notify us of any special requests for admission.

Legacy Girls Volleyball Evaluations
2025-06-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main Street, Gardendale, AL, 35071, United States
For students in grades 7 and up, this is a great opportunity to learn and grow! Contact Kate for more information at 205-602-0481. All skill levels are welcome to attend.

Mother-Daughter Tea
2025-06-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Faith Worship Center, 505 West Main St, Glencoe, AL, United States

2024-2025 Attendance Due
2025-06-30 | Virtual
2024-2025 attendance is due for all students enrolled with Essential during the 2024-2025 school year. There are no exceptions!
Use the online attendance form on your Member Page to have it automatically submitted to Essential, or use the printable attendance record to return to the office by June 30th.
Attendance records are a requirement of state law, and Essential requires this of all students regardless of the number of days enrolled during the school year.

Essential's 2025-2026 School Year Officially Begins
2025-07-01 | Virtual
Either complete the Re-Enrollment form on your Member Page – OR – JOIN US at https://essentialchurchschool.org/enrollment
July 1st marks the movement for Essential into a new school year for our records, but your students can continue to work on completing grade levels or coursework through this school transition. Your academic reporting has freedom in Essential to report as work is completed. The only requirement is that you are enrolled with Essential!
Contact our office staff if you have any questions about Essential’s school year designations.

Legacy Lions vs. LCA
2025-09-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Life Christian Academy, 254 Allen Drake Drive, Huntsville, 35806, United States
Come support and cheer on Essential students and the Legacy Lions volleyball team!

TEEN - House Hang
2025-09-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Private Home, Birmingham, 35244, United States
***This group is exclusively for high schoolers- must be at least 14 and in 9th grade by Sept. 1st.***
First meetup of the year! Teens will hangout at the house playing get-to-know-you games!
Snacks will be provided! 🍪
*Parents are welcome to stay and hang too, or if you have younger kiddos to tend to, you can drop off teen.
For exact address, please join group and connect with Lindy.
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR

Legacy Lions vs. HVA
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:30 | HVA, 2402 10th Street SW, Huntsville, 35805, United States

Science Fair 2025
2025-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | North Shelby Library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL, United States
Share your knowledge and experiments! We are excited to offer the BHC Science Fair for the 2025-2026 school year for all ages and grade levels. We do require you to register your student’s project by September 22 if possible. The $5 registration fee will help BHC cover the expenses of the venue, judges, and prizes – yes, this event includes some friendly competition!
REGISTER HERE
Science Fair Information
All projects must be a controlled research experiment that follows the scientific method. This is not for models or for research complications. If the project is not an experiment, your student will receive constructive comments but will not be eligible for judging. Watch videos for more information about the scientific method:
For more information about controlled experiments:

CLICK HERE for lesson on Controlled Experiments.

Project Ideas

ScienceBuddies.org – click on Find A Project Idea, then browse by topic or grade level
Education.com/Science-Fair
Pinterest.com – just make sure it’s a controlled experiment

Science Fair Guidelines

Make sure the project is age appropriate. The student should understand what they are doing and be able to discuss it with you. The student should pick a project that they are interested in and do the work themselves as much as possible.
Please do not harm any living things for your project.
A student may enter just one project. Students may work together on a project, but the project will be judged for the age group of the oldest child involved.
Projects will be judged and prizes awarded for winners. All participants will receive a certificate for participating.

All presentations must be in English and the student must be prepared to answer age-specific questions about their project during the judging process. Make sure to write everything in your own words to avoid plagiarism.

You do not have to have your project judged if you do not want to. Just mark that on the registration form.

The presentation must be presented on a tri-fold, stand alone cardboard display board that can be found at Wal-Mart and other local stores for around $3.

Please follow the below example as closely as possible to simplify judging. If the child cannot write, someone else can write for them or they can draw pictures to demonstrate what they did. Photographs are also good to use.

You can bring materials to show the judge, but they must fit easily in front of the poster, they must not need to be plugged in or require other resources, and they must not make a mess.

On fair day, please be there at 1:00 to get set up set up and ready for judging. The judges will walk around to each project and discuss with the student.

Please note that the measurements for the poster board are 48″ long and 36″ tall. The diagram below has a mistake- the middle section measures 24″, not 36″.

REGISTER HERE

Legacy Lions vs. Tuscaloosa
2025-09-30 16:30 - 19:30 | Tuscaloosa, 1400 3rd St, Northport, 35476, United States

Legacy Lions vs. East Central
2025-10-02 17:00 - 20:00 | East Central, 8000 Lilies Lane, Trussville, 35173, United States

Legacy Lions vs. Evangel
2025-10-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Evangel, 6020 Hwy 119, Montevallo, 35115, United States
Come support and cheer on our Essential students and the Legacy Lions volleyball team!

Legacy Lions vs. Trinity
2025-10-09 18:00 - 20:30 | Trinity Christian, 265 Curry Hwy, Jasper, 35503, United States

TEEN - Arcade at Oak Mountain Lanes
2025-10-15 12:30 - 14:00 | Oak Mountain Lanes, 300 Bowling Lane, Pelham, 35124, United States
***This group is exclusively for high schoolers- must be at least 14 and in 9th grade by Sept. 1st.***
Come play games in the arcade at Oak Mountain Lanes! Wednesdays is half priced on arcade games!
*Parents are welcome to stay and hang too, or if you have younger kiddos to tend to, you can drop off teen.
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR
