Essential Church School

Mother-Daughter Tea
2025-06-07 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Birmingham Christian College Fair
2025-10-30 12:00 - 14:00 | Westminster of Oak Mountain, 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace, Birmingham, 35242, United States
We encourage our high school students to attend this college fair and explore Christian college options.

State of Homeschool Freedom
2025-11-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
A FREE virtual event for all Alabama homeschool families.
Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/state-of-homeschool-freedom-nov–6 for access to the online event.

National Homeschool Day of Prayer
2025-11-07 | Virtual
Please join us and other homeschoolers across the country as we:

Give thanks for the freedom we have to homeschool our children,
Pray for homeschooling families in your own nation and around the world,
Pray for upcoming elections and the impact they may have on homeschooling,
Pray for your state’s homeschool organization and its leaders.
Pray for your elected officials to recognize that the education of children is the responsibility of the parents, not that of the nation,
Pray for your own family—your homeschooling journey and the Lord’s guidance as you take that journey, your relationships with one another, your own children and their futures, as well as seeking ways your family can minister to others,
Rejoice in God’s mercy and His faithfulness in all things.

Botanical Gardens Discovery Field Trip
2025-11-12 09:30 - 11:30 | Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, 35223, United States
A field trip for the whole family! We only have a few spots for this one though, so register ASAP!
RESERVE NOW

TEEN - House Hang
2025-11-20 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.***
Wear your favorite team jersey/shirt! Any team, any sport!
Not a sports fan? No problem, just come for the fun!
We’ll have some yard games for the teens to play if they want, or they can just hangout and talk!
*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 or contact Lindy.
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR

Navigating High School
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
We are offering an online workshop focusing on the high school journey. This is only open to Essential families, because we will be discussing procedures specific to Essential enrollment and Essential’s diploma requirements. Best for families with students in grades 8-12.
Registration is required. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot!
The virtual link gives you access to the Microsoft Teams meeting. Microsoft Teams is available as a free app, and you can also access it through Google Chrome as a weblink. Plan to log onto the meeting about 5 minutes before the workshop begins. We won’t be able to help with log on issues during the workshop. This link will NOT work on Apple’s Safari web browser.

Narnia The Musical
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:30 | BCT Mainstage Theatre, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Birmingham, 35203, United States
Step through the wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia, where four siblings embark on an epic quest to defeat the White Witch and restore peace. This enchanting adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved tale features heroic battles, mythical creatures, and the triumph of good over evil. A perfect holiday treat for the whole family.​
Reserve your admissions by Nov 1st! Don’t forget to have your Essential discount code which can be found on your Member Page.
RESERVE ADMISSIONS NOW

New to Homeschooling Workshop
2025-12-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
We are excited to host this webinar for those who are interested or are needing information in the homeschool journey. Please invite friends and family to join us, and we feel that even those of us who have been on this journey for a little bit can be encouraged in attending this event. Let’s be encouraged and rejuvenated in our purpose and reasons for homeschooling and directing our students’ education!
Here’s a brief outline of the webinar’s topics:

Purpose for Homeschooling
Legalities
Educational Methods
Choosing Curriculum/Classes/Co-ops
Planning School Days
Q&A

Registration is Required! CLICK HERE to register now.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
2025-12-18 10:00 - 12:00 | BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd N, Birmingham, AL, 35203, United States
Join us for a special school performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker!
Because this is a special school performance, the Alabama Ballet is requiring that no more than 1 “teacher” per student attend. This is not an event for bringing Grandma, or your favorite Auntie. In addition, this is not a performance for young children under the age of 5.
This annual performance is very popular, and we are securing our seats a bit earlier this year due to a new reservation system. Please complete your reservations and payments by September 5th!
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW

TEEN - Volunteer Christmas Toy Set Up
2025-12-18 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Asbury United Methodist Church, 6990 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, 35242, United States
This is a family event! So all ages are welcome!
Let’s volunteer with Grace Klein for their Christmas charity toy event. We will help set up for the event that will take place on Saturday.
Tasks may included-
Unloading boxes
Toy organizing
Item logging
Table set up
Making signs
And more!
You may volunteer for one or both days!
**more details to come**
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR

TEEN - House Hang
2026-01-16 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.***
Join us for some games! If everyone can bring some cookies to share! They can be store bought or homemade. Seriously, Oreos are great! 😍
I’ll provide hot chocolate! ☕️
*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, join group or contact Lindy.
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR

Alabama Homeschool Spelling Bee
2026-01-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Faulkner University – Birmingham Campus, Southlake Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama, 35244, United States
Homeschool Alabama has registered with Scripps organization so homeschoolers in Alabama from grades K-8 will have a way to participate in the national spelling bee. The winner of this state homeschool spelling bee will move on to the Alabama state spelling bee in Birmingham in March. A student must be registered through a school or organization that is enrolled with Scripps.
The Scripps organization made a few changes this year. The main one that affects us is that there is no longer an online testing option, so there will be no preliminary bee this year. All students who register with Homeschool Alabama will participate in the in-person bee in Birmingham.
Please be aware that the target audience for the spelling bee is grades 4-8; there is no minimum grade for participation in the program. All participating students should be in grade 8 or below.
Please register your students by Jan 15th
After you register you will receive an email with word lists to study so the earlier you register, the better for your student.
Are you a member of Homeschool Alabama? Be sure to include your discount code! Want to join Homeschool Alabama today? Visit HomeschoolAL.org for more details, and check with Essential for an Active School membership code.
COST: $25/family for student registration – no cost to attend and observe!

TEEN - Baba Java Coffee Hang
2026-02-20 12:30 - 14:00 | Baba Java Coffee, 4730 Chace Circle, Birmingham, 35244, United States
***This group is exclusively for high schoolers- must be at least 14 and in 9th grade by Sept. 1st.***
Let’s meetup at Baba Java Coffee in Hoover!
They have really unique drinks here, plus all the normal ones! 😉
*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

Sloss Furnace Tour & Iron Pour
2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Sloss Furnaces, 20 32nd Street North, Birmingham, 35222, United States
Only for grades 3 and up.
Get the full circle of learning with our unique iron pour field trips. Students will tour the site, learning the historic method of making iron, then make their own piece of metal art. Students watch as our talented metal artists pour their artwork in molten iron and prepare it for students to take home the same day!

This is a two-hour program
$22 per student or adult making art – $5 per chaperone only (no art) – FREE 1 parent chaperone (no art) per family

Essential families should use the discount code on your Member Page when making reservations for this field trip.
RESERVE NOW

Sleeping Beauty
2026-03-13 10:00 - 12:00 | BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd N, Birmingham, AL, 35203, United States
Step into a world of enchantment, romance, and timeless charm with this beloved fairytale ballet accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
No children under the age of 4 will be allowed to attend.
Homeschool groups may have no more than one chaperone per student.
Tickets are not distributed for this performance – you must enter with our group.
Secure your admissions by Feb 1st. Be sure to include your Essential family discount code located on your Member Page!
RESERVE YOUR ADMISSIONS

TEEN - Volunteer with Grace Klein
2026-03-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, 35216, United States
***This group is exclusively for high schoolers- must be at least 14 and in 9th grade by Sept. 1st.***
Let’s volunteer with Grace Klein! They are in the works to set up a project for us. TBA on exact project.
I will update as soon as I hear back!
3H GroupMe
Click here to join: https://groupme.com/join_group/95267939/8h2uLyYR

Much Ado About Nothing
2026-03-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, 36117, United States
We have group admissions for this performance of Shakespeare’s play.
Reserve Now
Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Plan to arrive by 9:30am for entry with our group, and we encourage you to make time to join us for lunch afterwards!
COST:
$19/student
$24/adult
If you prefer to pay by cash/check, please contact the Essential office directly.
