The Best Online High Schools
This list is a work in progress. I've got 33 schools listed so far - more will be added as I find information about them. Feel free to send me info about other schools if you know of any I haven't listed (only accredited ones though). Also, if you find any incorrect info, please let me know!
I haven't personally attended any of these schools - I've just compiled information I found online. I've ranked them according to which seem like they would be the most interesting to people who hate normal compulsory schooling.
At the very least, enrolling in any of these online schools should at least be somewhat less terrible than physically attending a regular one. Some of them might even be enjoyable. Which one you go for depends on what your parents will allow, and maybe even on your preferences (if you're lucky).
None of these are free - they will all have some kind of tuition. Every school on this page has also been accredited, so you should have no issues getting accepted by employers or colleges/universities. A diploma from a properly accredited online high school is equivalent to a diploma you would get from graduating a normal high school.
Some of these online schools are international, meaning they'll accept students anywhere in the world. I have marked these - you can use the "find in page" (the shortcut is usually CTRL+F) option in your browser, and search for "(international)" to find them.
If you want free online high schools, I have a whole section for that here. (US only)
The Best Online High School
Pacific Sands Academy
Features:
(international) You can earn a high school diploma while learning about what actually matters to you. They work with students anywhere in the world.
You can choose how to use Pacific Sands Academy:
1) A quick path to a high school diploma;
2) Ongoing mentoring and support - graduate when you are ready;
3) Credit recovery.
Accredited by:
N.A.L.S.A.S.
Pacific Sands Academy is an affiliate of West River Academy. Each student enrolled in the Pacific Sands Program becomes a student of West River Academy.
Pricing:
New Student Registration: $50 one time fee.
Enrollment: $400 per year.
Monthly Tuition: $220.
When you contact them, tell them School Survival referred you to them :)
Other Online High Schools
For someone who hates normal compulsory schooling, I'd recommend Pacific Sands Academy (above). But if you can't enroll there for whatever reason, there are other options.
In most of the schools below, the curriculum etc will probably just be the same kind of regular BS you'd get in any normal school, except it's online. The benefits are that you don't have to deal with the insane social environment of a regular school, and in many cases you can get the curriculum BS over and done with at your own pace. You can check out their sites and make up your own mind how you feel about them. I've only provided relevant facts, without any embellished marketing fluff.
There might be some exceptions to the above in this list - schools that actually take students seriously and genuinely care - some even claim to, but I'm always skeptical. They are schools, after all, and it's not like I can actually go and check them all out in person. If you do happen to have personal experience with any of these schools, let me know! I'd like to include some real honest student feedback/reviews for each school on this page too.
Here's the list:
Oak Meadow Online School
Features:
Your real work experience, extracurricular activities (art, sport, music, etc) and a variety of other things can actually count towards your diploma credits.
Accredited by:
SACS
WASC
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
New England Association for Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
NAAS
NCA CASI
Pricing:
Tuition is $2,000 per course for the 10-month school year or $1,200 per course for the 5-month semester.
Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences (CMASAS)
Features:
They offer diploma options based on student goals: standard, college prep, and career prep. They also have lots of extracurricular activities available.
Accredited by:
AdvancED/NWAC
NCAA-Approved
Pricing:
Annual tuition is between $5,495-$8,495 for high school students. Semester tuition is between $3,495-$3,995.
There's a registration fee of $150 for semester enrollment and $25 for annual enrollment.
Forest Trail Academy
Features:
Students can choose between the General Diploma Program or the College Prep Diploma Program.
Accredited by:
Ai
NCPSA
SACS CASI
MSA-CESS
Pricing:
Annual tuition: $3,100.
Discount/payment plans available: You provide $350 at the time of registration and $250 per month for the rest of the year.
National High School
Features:
Schedule flexibility and self-paced courses.
Includes credit recovery, advanced and remedial courses, homeschool integration, and an enrichment program.
Accredited by:
SACS CASI
Pricing:
Tuition is a flat rate of $199 per month for 2 or more courses. This rate can increase if there is an increase in credit-hours.
International Connections Academy
Features:
(international) Students may pick between honors and AP classes, or dual enrollment classes through ICA's College Acceleration program. This program enables students to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree online at the same time.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
MSACS
NCAA-Approved
Pricing:
Yearly tuition is $6,880 (with a 8% discount if paid in full).
WiloStar 3D Academy
Features:
Students participate in interactive 3D virtual classrooms using VR technology.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
Full-time annual tuition is $3,499.
The Ogburn School
Features:
Individualized curricula, self-paced courses, open enrollment, they have a course where you can focus on Environmental Studies.
Accredited by:
AISF
NCPSA
SACS CASI
Ai
MSA-CESS
Pricing:
Tuition starts at $1,295 for the high school program.
The Oaks Private School Online
Features:
Over 90 self-directed, self-paced courses. Students can customize their curriculum.
Accredited by:
NWAC
AdvanceED
SACS CASI
Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Accreditation
Pricing:
From $1,315 to $3,100 per year, depending on course selection.
Smart Horizons Career Online High School
Features:
Students earn both a high school diploma and a career-credentialed certificate.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
Tuition costs $1,386.
Penn Foster
Features:
More than 150 courses, college and career preparation. Includes an online library.
Accredited by:
DEAC
AdvancED
MSA-CESS
Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Pricing:
Annual tuition is $949 if paid in full.
James Madison High School
Features:
Open enrollment, self-paced courses.
Accredited by:
SACS CASI
Pricing:
Annual tuition is between $1,199 to $1,599.
International Virtual Learning Academy
Features:
(international) Students may enroll and begin courses at any time, year-round. Self-paced, many different curriculum options.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
Annual tuition is $6,030 with a $150 yearly registration fee.
Whitmore School
Features:
All courses are self-paced. Students may choose between the general track or the college prep track.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
NCAA-Approved
Pricing:
Yearly tuition starts at $1499.
Futures Academy
Features:
Their courses concentrate on a 1:1 student-teacher ratio. Teachers are available through chat during online office hours.
Accredited by:
WASC
Pricing:
Yearly is between $28,000 to $42,000.
University of Nebraska High School
Features:
Also has fine arts, vocational, technical, health, career, and foreign language courses.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Nebraska Department of Education
Pricing:
Each 1 semester course is $200 for Nebraska residents and $250 for out-of-state residents.
Indiana University High School
Features:
Students can enroll at any time of the year.
Accredited by:
NCA
AdvancED
CITA
Pricing:
$252 per course.
University of Mississippi High School
Note: Site was having some trouble when I checked it - try the main site if link is down.
Features:
Wide variety of courses, such as: low-enrollment courses, interest-specific electives, college-remedial courses, courses for special needs students, and advanced level courses.
Accredited by:
SACS CASI
Pricing:
1-unit course: $375
1-unit AP course: $425
Excel High School
Features:
Everything is self-paced. All course materials are available on the school's online portal - no need for physical textbooks.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
$129 per month for the full time high school diploma program.
Special programs may cost extra.
Advantages School International
Features:
(international) Also has independent supplementary courses, credit recovery, programs for adult learners, and summer school.
Accredited by:
NAAS
Pricing:
Annual tuition is between $2,350 to $3,950.
The Keystone School
Features:
Choose between a college prep track, with AP courses, or a career track high school diploma. Has a resource library, technical support, one-on-one teacher consultation, and interactive lessons.
Accredited by:
MSA-CESS
AdvancED
Pricing:
Starts at $399 per course.
Texas Tech University K-12
Features:
Students may enroll at any time throughout the year, and graduate as soon as all of the requirements are met.
Accredited by:
Texas Education Agency (TEA)
NCAA-Approved
Pricing:
Starts at $225/class.
Greenways Academy
Features:
NOTE: Bible classes are compulsory.
Students may enroll in classes at any time of year and interact one-on-one with teachers. Credit recovery is an option as well.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
$360 per course.
Laurel Springs School
Features:
Has a series of asynchronous courses. Past quizzes and tests that can be reviewed online at any time.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
WASC
SACS CASI
Pricing:
Tuition is $690 per semester course or $990 per year-long course.
Stanford OHS
Features:
Has over 24 post-AP and university-level courses. More than 65% of the faculty members hold doctoral degrees in their fields.
Accredited by:
CAIS
WASC
Pricing:
$22,850 for full-time enrollment (4–5 classes)
Park City Independent
Features:
(international) Is open to students of all ages within the US and around the world. All courses are self-paced and students many enroll at any time.
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
You need to contact them for pricing.
North Dakota Center for Distance Education
Features:
Over 300 online courses, including standard courses, electives, AP courses and credit recovery courses (self-paced).
Accredited by:
AdvancED
Pricing:
$169 for 20-week classes for in-state students; $250 for out-of-state students.
George Washington University Online High School
Features:
Curriculum from K12. Upperclassmen can declare an area of concentration: science and technology, entrepreneurship, liberal arts, or design their own.
Accredited by:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools
Pricing:
$12,000 per year.
University of Texas High School
Features:
Choose betweeen part-time and full-time. Has AP classes, NCAA-approved classes, and classes for credit recovery.
Accredited by:
Texas Board of Education
Pricing:
$225 per course. Yearly tuition is $2,700 if enrolled full-time.
National University Virtual High School
Features:
Self-paced. Offers dual credit and credit recovery. Has online counseling services.
Accredited by:
AdvancEd
WASC-ACS
Pricing:
$310 per semester course, $395 per AP course.
New Learning Resources Online
Features:
Self-paced, you can enroll any time of year, welcomes students of all ages.
Accredited by:
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE)
SACS CASI
AdvancED
DEAC Member
Pricing:
The 24 unit College Preparatory program is $4,915. The 21 unit Career Pathway program is $4,315. Includes application and enrollment fees.
American High School
Features:
Courses include game design, programming, web design, entrepeneurship, theater, family and consumer sciences, PE, and more.
Accredited by:
CITA
SACS CASI
Pricing:
From $174.90 per month
Brigham Young University Independent Study High School Program
Features:
NOTE: BYU is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Self-paced, you can get one free course for every 5 courses if you maintain at least a B average.
Accredited by:
NWAC
MSA-CESS
AdvancED
NC-SARA
NWCCU
Pricing:
Tuition varies depending on the course.