Online education refers to the delivery of educational content and instruction through digital technologies and the internet. It has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility, accessibility, and the advancement of technology.
Online high schools have emerged as a game-changer, offering a unique pathway to graduation for young performers, athletes, and other nontraditional students. These programs empower students to define their educational journey, equipping them with the skills needed to delve into their passions post-diploma. Whether opting for higher education or diving straight into the workforce, online high school opens doors for personalized learning.
To assist prospective students in making informed decisions, we’ve conducted focused research to compile a ranking of the best online high schools. Our evaluation centers on the quality of key features crucial for a comprehensive online high school experience.
Best Online High Schools In The US
Online high schools have emerged as a game-changer, offering a unique pathway to graduation for young performers, athletes, and other nontraditional students. These programs empower students to define their educational journey, equipping them with the skills needed to delve into their passions post-diploma. Whether opting for higher education or diving straight into the workforce, online high school opens doors for personalized learning.
To assist prospective students in making informed decisions, we’ve conducted focused research to compile a ranking of the five best online high schools. Our evaluation centers on the quality of key features crucial for a comprehensive online high school experience.
James Madison High School
- Location: Norcross, GAYear Founded: 1996Tuition: $1,630-$2,300Course Offerings: Comprehensive high school curriculum with a focus on online college dual enrollment options.
- Notable college acceptances: NYU, Penn State, Pitt, Cornell, and Georgia Tech.
- Accommodates adult learners, athletes, and homeschoolers.
- Part of the Ashworth College network.
- Credit transfer flexibility, allowing up to 75% transferability; however, a full year must be completed at JMHS for diploma eligibility.
- Annual graduation of over 2,500 students.
Indiana University High School
- Location: Bloomington, INYear Founded: 1925 (as a distance learning school)Tuition: $231 per courseCourse Offerings: Varied curriculum with three AP courses and language options in French, German, and Spanish.
- Graduates have successfully matriculated to institutions like Indiana University, Harvard, and Columbia.
- Three diploma tracks: College Prep, General Education, and Academic Honors.
- NCAA approval facilitates athlete preparation for Division I or II schools.
- Fully accredited by Cognia, recognizing commitment to continuous improvement and learner outcomes.
- Courses have a 26-week time limit, providing a structured yet flexible learning environment.
University of Texas High School
- Location: Austin, TXYear Founded: 1999Tuition: Free for Texas residents; $3,600 for non-residentsCourse Offerings: Robust selection with courses in 60 subject areas, including numerous AP and IB options.
- 800 full-time students enrolled.
- Graduates matriculate to renowned institutions like MIT, Cornell, USC, NYU, and Johns Hopkins.
- IB Program available for non-Texas residents.
- Average SAT score of 1170.
- NCAA-approved courses for future collegiate athletes.
George Washington University Online High School
- Location: Ashburn, VAYear Founded: 2011Tuition: $12,000 per yearCourse Offerings: 16 AP courses and instruction in five world languages.
- 100% of graduates accepted into four-year colleges.
- Notable recent acceptances include Swarthmore, Columbia, Harvard, and Stanford.
- $2.7 million in scholarships awarded to GW grads.
- Average SAT score of 1221; average ACT score of 26.
- Average graduate GPA is 3.22.
Laurel Springs School
- Location: West Chester, PAYear Founded: 1991Tuition: $1,175-$1,775 (depending on course selection)Course Offerings: 22 AP courses and honors options for most subjects.
- Over 75% of AP test-takers earn a “3” or above.
- College acceptances include Georgia, UMich, Columbia, Cornell, and Dartmouth.
- Average SAT score of 1180; average ACT score of 24.6.
- 88% of faculty hold master’s degrees.
- 72% of enrolled students are full-time at Laurel Springs.
CompuHigh/Whitmore School
- Location: Morgantown, WVYear Founded: 1994Tuition: $1,599 per yearCourse Offerings: No AP courses but provides a variety of courses, including honors options, in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Fine Arts, and Computer Science.
- Graduates accepted into prestigious institutions like Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Georgetown, Dartmouth, and Yale.
- Alumni include serious athletes, musicians, and actors/actresses.
- Self-paced learning with all-year access to finish courses.
- One-on-one interaction with teachers and guidance counselor; additional support available for math tutoring or guidance.
Stanford University Online High School
- Location: Redwood City, CAYear Founded: 2006Tuition: $28,160 per yearCourse Offerings: Extensive AP courses and 25 post-AP and university-level courses.
- 64% of teachers hold PhDs in their respective fields.
- Average class size is an intimate 13 students.
- Total enrollment reaches 903 students.
- 12% of students benefit from financial aid.
- Graduates boast a mean SAT score of 1482.
Davidson Academy Online
- Location: Reno, NVYear Founded: 2006Tuition: $14,595Course Offerings: Students craft a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). Rigorous courses without AP designation; many students opt to sit for AP tests.
- Exclusively designed for exceptionally gifted students scoring in the 99.9% percentile or above on nationally-normed intelligence tests.
- Mean SAT at the school is an impressive 1529, with a mean ACT of 34.8.
- Graduates have successfully enrolled in top-tier institutions like Caltech, Rice, Carnegie Mellon, the University of Chicago, and Yale.
- No class rank at this institution.
- A remarkable 14 students were named AP Scholars in a recent graduating class.
University of Nebraska High School
Location: Lincoln, NE Year Founded: 1929 Tuition: $250 per course ($50 discount for state residents)Course Offerings: 100+ courses, including AP and dual enrollment options.
key features:
- Alumni include celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Andy Roddick, and Brittany Spears.
- Accredited by Cognia, meeting NCAA standards.
- Part of the University of Nebraska’s online network since 2013.
- Impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1.
Mizzou Academy
Location: Columbia, MOYear Founded: 1999Tuition: $300 per course (in-state); $500 per course (out-of-state)Course Offerings: 230 classes, including unique electives, 9 AP courses, and 23 foreign languages.
key features:
- Over 7,000 students from 50 states and 40+ countries currently enrolled.
- Notable graduates include multiple Olympic athletes and sports stars.
- Graduates boast an average ACT score three points higher than the state average.
- 80% of grades awarded in the last five years were “A”s and “B”s.
The Keystone School
Location: Bloomsburg, PAYear Founded: 1974 (for correspondence courses)Tuition: $399-$549 per classCourse Offerings: 120 high school courses, including 8 AP classes and five world languages.
key features:
- Current enrollment exceeds 10,000 students.
- 80% of grads accepted by at least one college.
- Graduates have gone on to institutions like Notre Dame, West Point, Duke, and Stanford.
- Tennis star Maria Sharapova is a Keystone School graduate.
Florida Virtual School
Location: Orlando, FLYear Founded: 2009Tuition: Free (Florida residents); $800 per course (non-residents)Course Offerings: 15 AP courses and numerous honors courses.
key features:
- Served a staggering 240,000 students last year.
- Average SAT scores surpass the national average.
- Utilizes a rare online high school ranking system.
- College acceptances include West Point, Harvard, American University, Barnard College, and Babson College.
Oak Meadow School
Location: Brattleboro, VTYear Founded: 1975 (distance learning)Tuition: $1,545 per courseCourse Offerings: A variety of options within major disciplines, excluding honors or AP courses.
key features:
- Enrolls 600 students globally.
- Recent college acceptances include Bard College, Cornell University, Northwestern University, UCLA, and Yale.
- Philosophically opposed to standardized testing.
- Accredited by six different agencies in the U.S., supports dual enrollment, and accepts credits earned at outside colleges.
Conclusion
As online high schools pave the way for a diverse range of learners, this ranking serves as a valuable resource for those seeking quality education tailored to their unique needs. By emphasizing key features, we aim to guide students towards programs that not only facilitate graduation but also foster a foundation for pursuing their passions beyond the diploma.