Getting to Know Essential

Virtual

Join our administrator for a virtual presentation sharing Essential's policies, procedures, and purposes for supporting homeschooling families. This meeting is presented using the Microsoft Teams application.  When you RSVP, you will receive a link to this event.  You can choose to view on your web browser as a guest, or open the Microsoft Teams app to view with your Microsoft account.  We are unable to help you with technical difficulties, especially during the presentation.  We suggest that you explore the Microsoft Teams troubleshooting website for help, and we do know that Apple's Safari web/mobile browser has been known to present issues with this service. A Q&A chat box will be available during the meeting, and we encourage you to ask any questions there.  Kristy, our administrator, will address those questions after the presentation. Didn't receive an email confirmation with the event link?  Please check all your email folders and junk/spam areas.  Most email providers will scan our email and file it as junk/spam because it contains a URL.  It will be sent to you as soon as you complete your RSVP below.

Free

Event Series 2021 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

2021 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 2nd.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. 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.

$40 – $65
Event Series 2021 Afternoon Testing for Grades 3-8

2021 Afternoon Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 2nd.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. 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.

$40 – $65
Event Series 2021 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

2021 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 2nd.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. 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.

$40 – $65
Event Series 2021 Afternoon Testing for Grades 3-8

2021 Afternoon Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 2nd.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. 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.

$40 – $65

2020-21 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 9th.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. REGISTRATION FORM (only need to register once): 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.

$40 – $65

2020-21 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, 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 9th.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. REGISTRATION FORM (only need to register once): 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.

$40 – $65

Kindergarten Graduation 2021

Kindergarten Graduation Saturday, May 15, 2021 1pm or 3pm Church of the Highlands | Greystone Campus Please RSVP by March 15th to be included with our group order for caps/tassels! Love this time of year!  I hope you will join us for a special time of honoring our kindergarten graduates.  Make sure you review the information and respond by March 15th to keep your overall costs low. (You do have until May 1, 2021 to rsvp and pay graduation fees) Cap & Tassel We recommend that every graduate have a cap & tassel.  We encourage our graduates to choose whatever color they like.  In the past families have gone with the complete cap/gown set. We must have your order by March 15th for group order.  PLEASE NOTE:  Essential will provide the diplomas for all families.  You can simply order a tassel if you already have access to a cap/gown.  Payment for your order will be due by March 15th.  Order your supplies on the BHC website.  And, yes, you can order whether you participate in the ceremony or not. In addition, we do have FEW caps/gowns available for loan in the school library. Graduation Fee We are asking for a $10/family fee to cover the costs of the reception (personalized cake & gifts) and for the venue.  This is due by May 1st. We do open this event up to other area homeschoolers, and we will charge a $20/family fee for non-ECS families.  ECS families should use the BHC website to RSVP and pay the fees.  Use the coupon code Essential21 to get the Essential graduation rate. RSVP NOW CLICK HERE to be redirected to the BHC website.  You will have to log on or create an account with BHC to see the forms.  Remember you will want to RSVP and pay graduation fees for this event by May 1, 2021.

Virtual Kindergarten Graduation 2021

Virtual

Several of you have asked for a virtual Kindergarten Graduation option, and we are happy to be able to accommodate!  Please use the ticketing option below to secure your graduate's participation.  Your confirmation email will include the link to the online event which you can share with friends and family who want to be present. PLEASE NOTE:  This virtual event will not have technical assistance.  Essential can only offer the web link.  We do not handle the speed of your internet service, your speakers, your microphone, and your ability to access the event link.  This event uses the Microsoft Teams service, and you can go to their support page to discover more and perhaps find assistance with any technical issues.  We do know that this service DOES NOT work effectively using the Safari web browser, and if you are viewing/interacting from your mobile device, we highly recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app and creating a free Microsoft account for best experience. 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.  We will adapt these things for a virtual experience.  Special participation packets for parents will need to be picked up from our offices, and presentations/displays will need to be submitted in advance. For your graduate to participate, NEEDED BY MARCH 15 Order any needed caps/gowns/tassels by March 15th (click here for options).  We encourage all graduates to have a cap and tassel.  Our group order helps keep cost low. Order Graduation Supplies Now NEEDED BY MAY 1 Pay the graduation fee for your graduate's participation below. Email to info@essentialchurchschool.org: 3 pictures of your graduate to us (include at least 1 baby photo) your graduate's full name for diploma, and preferred name for special recognitions Invite family and friends to join us for this special day! FAQS What does the graduation fee cover?  Event space coordination, personalized reception and diploma, and printing costs. What do graduates usually wear?  Most graduates wear “church” clothes  with a cap, gown, and tassel.  We encourage all graduates to have at least a cap/tassel. What do parents normally say at presentation of diploma?  We have parents come up with their graduate to present the diploma.  Most parents share about the things that make them proud of their graduate, but often it is a simple handoff and hug.  Please plan to keep your presentation to 3-5 minutes.  

Free – $10.00

High School Graduation 2021

Church of the Highlands | Fultondale Campus 3250 Lowery Pkwy, Fultondale, AL, 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 24th.  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 services, and provide a cake reception following the ceremony. 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 Tickets order form.

Free – $5