Renowned academic institutions are now competing to provide online-based learning arrangements, which have grown in popularity in recent years. Downsizing of schools, improved virtual learning delivery technology, and, most crucially, the social separation required during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have all contributed to the rise of online high school education.

According to a recent Forbes report, online high school education will continue to grow. Distance education will become increasingly individualized, interactive, and automated as technology advances.

What exactly is an online school?

Students who attend an online high school have the opportunity to receive a personalized education. This educational system encourages children to learn more and allows them to establish their own timetables. Online professors can also rapidly recognize each student’s difficulties and provide the necessary tools and support. Each student at an online school is referred to “sit in the front row.”

Students may profit from joining an online high school with great retention rates, excellent class delivery in the most dynamic way, and student seaarvices available. When looking for the top online schools, accreditation, and state licenses are important factors to consider, since they reflect the institution’s adherence to academic standards.

List of top online schools 2022

1. Davidson Academy

Through its advanced-level curriculum, Davidson Academy, which is accredited by AdvancED, provides pupils with a “strong, broad-based foundation of knowledge.”

The Davidson Academy offers extraordinarily brilliant kids two options: a top online school for students from anywhere in the United States and Canada, and a high school on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. In all of its classrooms and disciplines, the high school stresses critical thinking and outstanding writing skills.

Davidson Academy, unlike typical schools, divides its pupils into groups depending on their aptitude level rather than their age. The school also offers a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP), which allows children to customize their learning with the help of their parents and teachers.

2. James Madison High School

James Madison High School is a top online school with a profit-making motive, an independent online high school. Ashworth College, which is known for its internet-based programs, is a part of its heritage.

The General Diploma program and the College Prep Diploma are two diploma options available at JMHS. In addition to the core subjects, the general diploma program requires five electives.

Accounting, Chemistry, Fitness, General Mathematics, Nutrition, Physics, Pre-Calculus, Public Speaking, Reading and Literature, and Spanish are just a few of the open elective courses accessible for this program.

The Career Pathways program is offered for students who desire to obtain real-world experience while pursuing a high school diploma. Students just need to substitute specialized work skills training courses for two optional courses.

3. Stanford University Online High School

Stanford University Online High School, formerly known as the Education Program for Gifted Youth Online School, educates students to thrive in their chosen careers. To help students develop outstanding interpretation, analytical techniques, critical thinking, and writing skills.

The school uses an interdisciplinary Core Sequence in Methodology of Science – Biology, History, and Philosophy of Science, Democracy, Freedom, and the Rule of Law, and Critical Reading and Argumentation. Additional one-year or higher-level courses in Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Science, or Mathematics must be completed.

4. WiloStar3D Academy

In a distinctive method, WiloStar3D Academy offers a 3D virtual world for residential education programs. The school allows K-12 students to create their 3D world for coursework and other activities using freely available software packages on the Internet.

It was originally established to help gifted and special-needs students. Students can also engage with other students and teachers using their avatars.

This allows people to express their uniqueness. Students can take elective classes such as Basic Art, Unity Game Design, The Science of Sherlock Holmes, Culinary Artistry, Child Development, and more in addition to core courses.

5. The University of Texas at Austin High School

The University of Texas at Austin High School is a Texas Board of Education-accredited public high school. Both full-time and part-time students can enroll in the school’s distant learning programs.

The curriculum for online programs is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with assignments due every 1-2 weeks. Students should enroll in four courses during the spring and autumn semesters to graduate in four years.

Communication Applications, Humanities – Western Civilization, Psychology, Personal Financial Literacy, Health, Business Information Management, Creative Writing, and Literary Genres are among the electives available to them. All students, whether traditional or online, must pass a proctored exam with a 70% score.

6. Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs School, which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), offers remote education through distinctions, university preparation, and upper-division courses. Before establishing an academic plan to support each student’s talents, the school first identifies and evaluates each student’s learning style.

There is also a proposed calendar with expected deadlines for coursework and tasks. Students can pick from roughly 25 elective courses. 3D Modeling, Anthropology 1: Uncovering Human Mysteries, Digital Photography, Introduction to Renewable Technologies, Personal & Family Finance, Philosophy: The Big Picture, Women’s Studies

A Personal Journey Through Film, World Mythology, and others are just a few of the courses available. These courses enable students to have unique experiences while still building strong transcripts.

7. NorthStar Academy

NorthStar Academy is a member of the Network of International Christian Schools and is fully certified by AdvancED and ACSI. The institution was founded to provide high-quality, accredited online education from a Christian perspective.

NorthStar Academy students are groomed to be servant leaders with a global perspective and biblical literacy. Standard and Advanced diplomas are available at the school. VRP courses are asynchronous and self-paced, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Students can set their timetables and begin at any point throughout the year.

Students have live weekly meetings and due dates in EVP courses, which are synchronous. The institution provides over 200-course options, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and its courses are NCAA certified. College and career preparation, fine arts, foreign languages, physical education, and computers are examples of elective courses.

8. Mizzou Academy

Mizzou Academy, which is run by the University of Missouri’s College of Education, was founded as part of the university’s Center for Distance and Independent Study (CDIS). For people without access to education, the institution initially offered high school credit courses.

Students can take either the Standard or College-Prep Diploma Path. Electives for a Standard Path Diploma should total 7.5 credits, whereas students on the College-Prep Path can choose 5.5 credits.

Fine art, practical art, physical education/health, and personal finance are some of the elective courses available. Mizzou Academy graduates are accepted to prominent schools and institutions around the country, including Princeton, Cornell, the University of Michigan, MIT, and others.

9. Brigham Young University’s Independent Study High School

Brigham Young University’s Independent Study High School was run by the Continuing Education department. Standard, Advanced/College Prep, and Adult High School Diploma are among the four-year programs offered at the school.

It was created to assist non-traditional students who desire to finish high school with an alternate education. The Standard Program follows a typical curriculum and requires students to complete three courses every six months.

The Advanced Program covers a wider range of topics than the Standard Program. Two years of international language, writing, and literature, as well as upper-level math and science courses, are required.

Students aged 19 and above who pass the basic skills assessment test (TABE 41: Test of Adult Basic Education) and finish at least two courses are eligible for the Adult Diploma Program.

10. Liberty University Online Academy

Liberty University Online Academy is an option for students who want to acquire their high school diploma through a Christian curriculum. Liberty University, one of the world’s major Christian universities, operates the program online.

LUOA provides three levels of study: Advanced, Standard, and Associate of Arts. Every student’s springboard to vocational or technical education and community college enrollment is the Standard program. The advanced program has a more challenging curriculum and helps students to choose the best post-secondary education following graduation.

Students who complete the Associate of Arts diploma will get an associate degree from Liberty University. Fine arts, career, and technical education, and foreign language are among the elective courses available.

11. Penn Foster High School

Penn Foster High School is the parent-school of Penn Foster Middle School, which was established to educate coal workers for career progression and worker safety. Penn Foster High School, on the other hand, was founded to provide young people with an affordable education instead of regular high school or equivalency tests.

Penn Foster High School’s online programs are self-paced, and classes are broken down into small, manageable chunks. Aside from the 16.5-credit core classes, students must complete at least five elective credits to receive their high school graduation. Vocational electives, College Preparation Electives, and General Electives are the three types of electives.

12. The Keystone School

The Keystone School is one of the most efficient private schools in the nation in terms of academics. It is accredited by the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools of AdvancED and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Adults aged 19 and above can apply for a Career High School diploma program, while high school students can participate in an online high school diploma program. They can work on their courses whenever they want, with no set deadlines.

Adult education might take up to 5 months to complete, depending on the number of credits required for graduation. To graduate, students must complete five elective credits. Accounting Online, Business Law Print, Computer Fundamentals Online, Digital Video Production Online, Forensic Science Online, Life Skills Online, and other courses are available.

13. International Virtual Learning Academy

International Virtual Learning Academy is a private K-12 school that offers distance learning in a diversified learning environment with self-paced courses. Accelerate, OdysseyWare, Ignitia Christian Curriculum, Apex, and Edmentum are the six curricula available to students in the conventional online high school diploma program.

These curricula are intended to provide students with a “textbook” sense while also providing them with a variety of life experiences and activities. Adult students aged 20 and above are eligible to participate in the Online Adult High School curriculum, which can be completed in as little as 18 months. The Edmentum curriculum is used in the online Adult High School program.

14. Park City Independent school

Students from all over the world can take Park City Independent’s entirely online courses. These pupils might be of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin and can attend public, private, or homeschooled schools.

Its curriculum meets national and state standards, and the school is always looking for new ways to improve its offerings. Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Fine Arts, Physical Education and Health, World Languages, and Computer Science are among the self-paced courses available to online students.

Adult students (18 and older) who have completed high school can enroll in a fast-track high school program. Art History I, Personal Finance, Career Planning and Development, Computer Applications, Sociology, and other electives are available at PCI.

15. Forest Trail Academy

Forest Trail Academy is a reputable online school that offers students several flexible high school credential options. This online private school for K-12 students offers online high school, credit recovery, summer, and Advanced Placement classes.

Students can also apply for a Dual Enrollment Program, which allows them to take classes at Waldorf University while also using an e-book or loan-a-book program.

The Dual Enrollment program, which admits international students seeking an American high school certificate, has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation International (AI) and the National Council for Private School Accreditation have both given the school’s courses its seal of approval (NCPSA).

16. Mother of Divine Grace School

Mother of Divine Grace School, one of the top-rated Catholic online high schools, was founded with the primary goal of providing classically-based services to parents. Their study program assists parents in teaching various levels of learning to their children.

The involvement of parents in their children’s education is an important aspect of the MODG learning framework. The school’s curriculum is founded on the classical approach, which is directed by the Catholic Faith’s principles. Catholic Doctrine, Advanced Mathematics, Advanced American Government & Economics.

Also, they teach British Lit or Literary Analysis, and College Latin II. Fine Arts, Fine Arts: Art History, Fine Arts: Radio Theater, Fine Arts: Readers’ Theater, French Conversation Lab, Intro to Philosophy, Journalism are some of the elective classes available.

17. Whitmore School,

Whitmore School, also known as CompuHigh, offers individualized instruction that allows students to establish their own goals at their speed. The school also has a program for people who want to get a head start on their studies or make up for missing credits.

It employs mastery-based learning and allows students to select their route of study. Aside from the General Studies track, Whitmore also provides a College Prep Track for students aiming to attend a four-year university.

A Weekly Summary Progress Report and a Monthly Detailed Progress Report are used by the school to communicate with parents. Diploma PLUS with Tutoring Program is for students who want limitless, online, one-on-one tutoring in Mathematics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

18. The University of Nebraska High School

The University of Nebraska High School began with 14 pupils in need of credits to graduate. Today, the school serves students from all across the United States as well as more than 100 countries.

UNHS offers self-paced and independent study courses that can be completed in as little as five weeks. Students can access online course information, tests, grade leaders, and instructor evaluations through software called WayCool at the institution.

Visual and Performing Arts, World Languages, English, Mathematics, and other subjects are covered in the courses. Through UNHS Dual Enrollment, students can obtain college credit (through the University of Nebraska at Omaha).

19. Broward Virtual School

Students in grades 6 through 12 can attend Broward Virtual School entirely online. Before the first and second phases of the academic year, students enroll in a full-time program. Before beginning sessions, students must attend a face-to-face awareness campaign with a parent or guardian.

Art History and Criticism, Career Research and Decision Making, Law Studies, Theatre, Cinema, and Film Production, Reading for College Success, and other elective courses are available.

Career and technical education courses such as Criminal Justice Operations, Foundations of Programming, Personal and Family Finance/Personal Financial Literacy, Digital Information Technology, Parenting Abilities, and Procedural Programming can help students improve their employment skills.

20. The Oaks Private School

Honors College Preparatory, College Preparatory, Standard, and Career/Vocational diplomas are available through The Oaks Private School (TOPS Online). TOPS Online, a home-based distance learning program. TOPS Online is a Florida Virtual School affiliate that complies with Florida Sunshine Standards.

The TOPS APEX (Honors) diploma is for students who want to go to a high-ranking college. The Career/Vocational diploma is for those who want to prepare for job-specific abilities. TOPS Online’s certified teachers, instructional staff, and mentors have both Christian Distance Learning and Christian classroom experience, allowing them to support and encourage students throughout their quest.

21. Oak Meadow School

For the past 40 years, Oak Meadow School has offered homeschooling courses to children in grades K through 12. The curriculum at the school consists of 36 weekly lesson plans including assignments, activities, and readings. Oak Meadow offers distance learning to students in grades 7 through 12.

For pupils to use within the school’s domain, the school provides a school email account. Students Arts Blog is a place where students may share their thoughts and network with other students and teachers. Coursebooks and materials are provided in both paper and digital formats. Students should spend one hour per course every day on homework, assignments, and other activities, according to the school.

22. The North Dakota Center for Distance Education

The North Dakota Center for Distance Education offers online and blended learning programs for students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. Over 350 courses, including core, elective, career and technical, dual credit, and Advanced Placement, are offered at the school.

To design courses that students need to get a high school diploma, the school relies on the work of teachers, schools, curriculum providers, software companies, parents, government officials, and citizens. Students can learn when and where they wish because the courses are asynchronous. Aerospace, Agriculture, Business and Marketing, English, General Education, Health Careers, Mathematics, Technical Education, and other subjects are available.

23. Advantages School International

Advantages School International, based in Reno, Nevada, operates the Advantages Online Private School, which offers a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that includes high school honors, among other things. Advantages deliver cutting-edge educational technologies and services to help students reach their academic goals.

The institution offers online courses with flexible schedules, cutting-edge educational experiences, and personalized instruction from instructors with remarkable credentials. AdvancED, a worldwide known academic accrediting institution, and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement with AdvancED have given Advantages full accreditation. Advantages are, real-time regionally accredited, which means that students can transfer their credits to a college or university to be accepted.

24. Ogburn School

Non-traditional students of all ages are welcome at the Ogburn School. The institution provides self-paced online courses that meet Florida state requirements. Courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and students can graduate in as little as four to six weeks.

Adult programs for students ages 15 and up are also available, with the same teacher support, academic counseling, and online access to coursework materials. American Sign Language, Creative Photography, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality & Tourism: Traveling the Globe, Law & Order: Introduction to Legal Studies, and other electives are available.

25. Clonlara School

Since its inception, Clonlara School has educated nearly 40,000 students. It is one of the schools that welcomes students from all over the country and the globe. Its off-campus services began when Pat Montgomery, Ph.D., the organization’s founder, assisted a family in teaching their child at home using the same methods used in on-campus schools.

Students in grades 6 through 12 can now take “ready-to-go” courses at the school. Every full-time online student is allocated a personal advisor and must select five credits from the Clonlara Online Program Catalog. Students gain 5-6 credits per year, with the option to acquire nine credits in a year through fast-track learning. Hospitality and Tourism, Culinary Arts, Human & Social Services, National Security, Cosmetology, and other electives are available at Clonlara.

26. Alpha Omega Academy

Alpha Omega Academy is a student-centered institution that offers three Christian curriculum options: Ignitia (for students in grades 3–12), print-based using LIFEPAC, and Horizons, which is available at any time. There are 195 electives available at the school, including civics, career options, history, math, science, global languages, and more.

The Career & Technology Education program at AOA trains students for employment. Architecture & Construction, Arts, A/V Technology, & Communication, Business Management & Administration, Education & Training, Finance, Government & Public Administration, Health Science, Human Services, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, Middle School, STEM, and Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics are the 14 clusters that this program is divided into. At AOA, each student receives a unique Learning Plan based on their goals, assessments, and learning styles.

27. Smart Horizons Career Online High School

Smart Horizons Career Online High School invites students from all walks of life who desire to earn their high school diploma online. By reaching out to the millions of Americans who do not have a high school diploma, the school provides a solution to student dropout.

Before lessons begin, students in its online high school diploma program receive a Virtual Welcome Kit. Tutors and advisers offer immediate feedback and help with lectures, exams, and other tasks. Smart Horizons offers career courses such as Certified Protection Officer, Child Care, and Education, Food and Hospitality, Home Care Professional, Office Management, and others in addition to fundamental courses.

28. Calvary Prep Academy

Calvary Prep Academy is a Christian virtual school for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Its online curriculum is built on the Apex Learning platform, which includes self-study and teacher help. To complete exams, assignments, and quizzes, students must digitally meet with their professors.

Students’ assignments are graded and evaluated in real-time by instructors. Parents are urged to take part in live discussions as well. Students must finish 15 credits of Bible courses as well as 50 credits of electives. The online diploma program requires College & Career Prep I & II.

29. Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences

The Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences was named after Christa McAuliffe, a late American teacher, and astronaut. The institution distinguishes itself by offering Personalized Philosophy online distant learning.

Students study to complete their courses in the manner that best suits their interests and learning styles. Forensic Sciences, Digital Photography, Holistic Health, and World Languages are some of the most popular tailored courses at CASAS. In addition to the traditional high school graduation, CMASAS offers Dual Enrollment, which allows students to pursue classes at the same time.

30. Pearson Online Academy

Pearson Online Academy’s expertise, state-of-the-art curriculum, and technology were used to create Pearson Online Academy. Every year, students from all over the world attend this private online school. The basic curriculum in math, science, English, and social studies is taught entirely online in NACA’s high school courses.

Digital photography, marine science, game creation, and global languages are some of the electives available. Students can create a unique four-year academic plan online with the help of certified teachers and counselors.

Summary

Traditional face-to-face classes provide a very different experience than online universities. Students’ interest in online learning has skyrocketed, and respected colleges have adopted this technology to attract and accommodate more students.

Some pupils may not believe that going to college after high school is a viable option. However, studies show that having a college degree after high school leads to improved professional opportunities and personal improvement in today’s world.