Essential Church School

BHC Easter Park Day 2025
2025-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Teen Driver Summit
2025-02-11 08:30 - 13:30 | 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.

AL Homeschool Spelling Bee 2024
2025-02-01 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 will have a way to participate in the national spelling bee. The winner of this state homeschool spelling bee will move on to the state spelling bee in Birmingham in March.
State Homeschool Spelling Bee
Saturday February 1, 2025, 1 pm
Faulkner University Birmingham campus
4524 Southlake Pkwy, Birmingham AL 35244
(near Valleydale Road and Interstate 65)
(Weather date February 8)
This year, we will use the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s online testing platform to hold our Homeschool Alabama preliminary spelling bee via an online spelling test. This will be available January 1-12, 2025. The top students (approximately 20) from this preliminary bee will advance to the state homeschool bee on February 1.
Please register your family here .
The cost is $15 plus a 4% fee for credit card and web use, for a total of $20.60. The deadline to register is on or before December 31, 2024. After you register you will receive an email with word lists to study so the earlier you register, the better for your student.
You may have a question about our registration closing by December 31, because the national spelling bee allows registration through January. However, the Alabama deadline to get our winner info to them is mid-February. So our deadline must be earlier than January 31.

Ice Skating Day
2025-01-17 11:30 - 13:30 | Pelham Civic Center, 500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham, AL, 35124, United States
Join area homeschoolers for a day on the ice!
Pay at the door for skaters only – most parents will gather as spectators in the stands.

A Christmas Carol
2024-12-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, 36117, United States
ASF returns to a full production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on the Festival Stage. When miserly Ebenezer Scrooge receives an unwanted visit from the ghost of his former business partner on Christmas Eve, an overnight voyage of epic proportions begins. Journey with Scrooge as he learns from his ghosts (and Bob, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits) a heartwarming lesson in forgiveness and the change we can make around us. This play is a joyful Christmas tradition for the entire family!
Recommended for grades 3-12. Admission required for all ages. (This is not a good activity for young children)
CHRISTMAS CAROL STUDY GUIDE

The Great Orchestra Experiment
2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Wright Center at Samford University, Montague Drive, Birmingham, Alabama, 35209, United States
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Chris Confessore join Dr. Susie Sonata in this engaging, full STEAM ahead Great Orchestra Experiment!

This interactive concert is sure to engage all the senses as students experience the orchestra through the lens of science, technology, engineering, and math! Commissioned by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and written by Candace Neal Pappas, come celebrate the WORLD PREMIERE of “The Great Orchestra Experiment- Where Science Meets the Symphony!”

Recommended for grades 3-6. Reserve your seats by October 6th!

National Homeschool Day of Prayer
2024-11-01 | Virtual
Join homeschool families across the nation and the world in a special day of prayer.
Follow the Homeschool Freedom Facebook page for hourly prayer prompts starting at 10:00 AM (EDT), special guests throughout the day, and more. This annual event takes place the first Friday of November.
FREE ACTIVITY GUIDE:
Download the free activity guide and print copies for each of your children to enjoy the activity and coloring pages throughout the day and beyond.
LEARN MORE: homeschoolfreedom.com/prayer

Christian College Fair
2024-10-31 12:30 - 14:30 | Briarwood Christian High School, 6255 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
Looking for a college that reflects your Christian values? This college fair gives your student an opportunity to interact and ask lots of questions.
We highly recommend for students in grades 9-12.
Register at https://www.findyourchristiancollege.com/college-fairs/birmingham-al-christian-college-fair

Moundville Park Tour & Archaeology Program
2024-10-28 13:00 - 17:00 | Moundville Archaeological Park, Mound State Pkwy, Moundville, Alabama, 35474, United States
Join us for an afternoon of learning and exploring history – more specifically history in Alabama!
Learn how archaeologists conduct their research and the tools that they use to uncover the past. Your class will learn the basics of archaeology while also building on their math, geometry & historical knowledge. We will excavate a mock archaeological unit and discuss current trends in archaeological research.
We have reserved a site tour of the Native American mounds, as well as an archaeology program for our group. If costs are an overwhelming issue for our families, then we can remove the archaeology program for a simple site tour. Please communicate with us if this is an issue that is preventing your participation.

At Home: Art in Motion
2024-10-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Alabama Center for Dance, 2726 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35233, United States
A Collaborative Series with Birmingham Museum of Art
Join Alabama Ballet for a unique and captivating experience with “At Home, Art in Motion,” a collaborative series with the Birmingham Museum of Art. Immerse yourself in a world where dance and visual art merge to create an unparalleled artistic journey.
Curated by Alabama Ballet Artistic Director, Christopher Stuart. This series features all-new works inspired by the extraordinary exhibits of Hayward Oubre and John Rhoden, two visionary artists whose creations have left a lasting impact on the art world. Their masterpieces serve as the muse for innovative and dynamic performances that bring their art to life through the elegance and power of ballet.
Held at the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance, this event offers an intimate setting where audiences can experience the synergy between visual and performing arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the intersection of creativity and movement in a celebration of artistic expression and collaboration.
Children ages 4 and under are not allowed to attend.

The Three Little Kittens
2024-10-16 09:30 - 10:30 | Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203, United States
For ages 4 – 8 years
Step into the enchanting world of “The Three Little Kittens” where Katie Sue, Purr, Tuffy, and Whiskers embark on a delightful adventure! Join our feline friends as they search for their lost items and discover that any problem can be solved with a little bit of thinking. Don’t miss this purr-fectly charming theatrical experience!

BHC Mom's Night Out
2024-10-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Essential Church School Offices, 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
Join other moms for a time of crafting and fellowship.
Bring your own white pumpkins and a snack/drink to share.

Peter and the Wolf
2024-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203, United States
“Peter and the Wolf” comes to life in a captivating theatrical performance blending music, narration, and movement. This beloved Russian fairy tale, composed by Sergei Prokofiev, unfolds as Peter, a brave young boy, outwits a fearsome wolf with the help of his animal friends. Through enchanting melodies and vivid storytelling, audiences embark on a magical journey into the heart of the forest. Birmingham Children’s Theatre and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra invite you to join Peter on this timeless adventure filled with bravery, friendship, and the power of music.
Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Secure your admissions here!

Rhythm, Rhyme, Flow!
2024-10-03 10:00 - 11:30 | UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
Join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for a Hip Hop fusion show with local Birmingham talent Shaheed and D.J. Supreme! Perfect for all ages, this Young People’s Concert will fuse the orchestral artform with turntables, empowering messaging, and sick beats! Knowledge is power with the incorporation of STEAM components and a teacher guide for grades 3-5. We can’t wait to welcome you into the concert hall to experience the hype of this musical powerhouse collaboration between world class artists!
Recommended for grades 3-12
Secure remaining seats here:

Birmingham National College Fair
2024-09-08 13:00 - 16:00 | BJCC, Birmingham, AL, United States
Essential highly recommends college fair attendance for all students in grades 9-12. This large college fair offers information and access to colleges and specialty schools from all across the nation. It’s proven that exposure and admission to multiple colleges can affect your financial aid options. We’ve seen it!
Also, the opportunity for your student to see and interact with such a variety of schools will give them a view of what is available beyond the scope of their everyday experiences.
RSVP online at https://www.nacacattend.org/24Birmingham

BHC Homeschool Field Day
2024-08-23 13:00 - 15:00 | McCallum Park, Rosemary Lane, Vestavia Hills, AL, 35216, United States
Join us for an afternoon of activity, community, and summer refreshment!
More details at https://birminghamhomeschoolers.com/event/bhc-homeschool-field-day/

2024-2025 School Year Begins
2024-07-01 | Virtual
The Essential school year runs from July 1st through June 30th.
We allow families to set their own school day schedule within these parameters.

2023-2024 Attendance Due
2024-06-30 | Virtual
Please submit your 2023-2024 attendance records through the online form or to the school office before June 30th.
This is a legal requirement for all schools in Alabama.

Girls Volleyball Tryouts
2024-06-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Gardendale Civic Center, 857 Main Street, Gardendale, AL, 35071, United States
Ages 12 and up
For more information, contact Ashley Atkinson at apatkinson74@gmail.com

Navigating High School
2024-05-31 10:00 - 11:00 | 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.
Use online form below to RSVP for this workshop. You must be logged in to complete the form and receive the workshop access information.
After you complete the RSVP, please check all your email folders for an email with subject line “Your Tickets from Essential Church School.” It can take up to 30 minutes for the link to process and be emailed.
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 with Apple’s Safari web browser.
