Essential Church School

Legacy Lions vs. East Central
2025-10-02 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | East Central, 8000 Lilies Lane, Trussville, 35173, United States
Come support and cheer on Essential students and the Legacy Lions volleyball team!

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!

BHC Valentine's Day Party 2026
2026-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Veteran’s Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL, 35242, United States
Join us for a valentine’s day swap and park day for the Birmingham homeschool community!
Get creative with your valentine boxes. There will be prizes awarded for the most creative ones! Please know that a simple box is fine for collecting a ton of greetings – no reason to not come due to lack of time to create a special box.
Valentine boxes should be dropped off by 1:45 so that they are ready for valentine delivery and judging. Valentines may be delivered any time between 2:00-2:45. Please prepare at least 50 valentines to deliver! If you want to create more, that’s fine; we’ve found that 50 is about right in order to have plenty to give out.
Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are encouraged for visiting in the open area at this park. And, there is a large field that is perfect for soccer or football.
If you win a prize for your valentine box, don’t forget to find a BHC representative to get a goody from our prize box.
SCHEDULE
1pm – Arrival and place boxes in designated area for your student’s grade or age level.
1:45pm – Box Judging Begins
2pm – Valentine Swap Begins
2:45pm – Pick up boxes and clean up park for community service

Special thanks to Essential Church School for sponsoring and hosting this community wide event!

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

Junior Ranger Launch Day
2026-03-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL, 35124, United States
We are so excited to announce our major launch day for the Alabama State Parks’ Junior Ranger Program!
Oak Mountain State Park has been selected as the location for the hard launch of the Junior Ranger Program for Alabama State Parks!

INFORMATION:

DATE: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

TIME: 10AM start time (arrive around 9:30am to make sure you can find the pavilion in time)

LOCATION: Discover Shelby Pavilion – Terrace Drive near the Beach Parking Lot

Ribbon cutting ceremony

We will have Adventure Guides ready to hand out!

Park Rangers will be present for the swearing-in ceremony of all children present

Park Naturalists onsite for nature education

Local media covering this exciting and important day!

Once you get your Adventure Guide, feel free to explore the park and start your Junior Ranger journey!

We would LOVE for you to bring your children/students to this event and be among the first ever Alabama State Parks Junior Rangers! If you are interested, please feel free to ask any questions you may have!

BHC History Fair
2026-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 | North Shelby Library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL, United States
We are excited to see student presentations at this special time of celebrating Revolution, Reform, Reaction in History to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Register your student’s participation today at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bhc-history-fair
Make plans to come and view and support these students’ efforts!

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.
A sparkling comedy where hearts are won, masks are dropped, and love triumphs — though not without a fight
The war is over, but the real battle is just beginning in this whimsical comedy. With wit as their weapon of choice, Beatrice and Benedick spar with relentless charm, unaware that love is quietly taking aim. Friends plot to bring them together, secrets threaten to tear others apart, and Shakespeare’s surprisingly modern romantic comedy delivers a whirlwind of romance, deception, and laugh-out-loud mischief.
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.

Navigating High School
2026-03-26 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. Use the button below 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.
REGISTER TO ATTEND

BHC Easter Park Day 2026
2026-04-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Cahaba Lily Park, 3200 County Road 52, Helena, AL, 35080, United States
More details will be posted here soon!

Homeschool Alabama Capitol Day
2026-04-07 09:00 - 15:00 | Montgomery, AL, Montgomery, AL, United States
Registration Now Open! Don’t miss out on this special day of learning and connection.
REGISTER NOW

LB Studio Spring Portraits
2026-04-09 | LB Studios, 8141 Parkway Drive, Leeds, 35071, United States
April 9, 14, & 15th by appointment only.
Parents can schedule a time at this link: https://lbstudiosphoto.client.photos/book/homeschoolspring
Starting at only $30 + $10 for each additional child.

TEEN - House Hang
2026-04-17 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.***
House hang with games! I plan on coming up with a neighborhood scavenger hunt! (Just down my street, so I’ll have an eye on them 😉)
*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
