Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet access
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Step 1
Decide what type of online high school you would like to attend. There are a number of options including public online high schools, private online high schools and university-backed online high schools. Public online high schools are the least expensive and you can be assured of proper accreditation. Not every state offers online public high schools, however, and rules regarding who may and may not participate in online classes vary widely. Private online high schools offer some great options for more advanced classes and job training, but they can be expensive. They also may or may not be accredited. Be sure to check into the accreditation status of a school before enrolling. University-backed online high schools are becoming more and more common. They offer the best of both worlds, including excellent classes at an affordable rate, however, there are not as many of these schools across the country as public and private online schools.
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Step 2
Find a school you would like to attend. If you have decided on a public online school, contact your state's department of education to find out what schools are available, and for information about each school. See the Resources section for a link. Private schools often offer classes to students in any state, so don't limit your search to only your home state. The site Best Online High Schools offers a free search of online high schools across the country, but high schools must pay to be listed so you won't find every school on their site. Worldwide Learn also offers a list of online high schools at World Wide Learn. New university-backed online high schools are opening all the time. The best way to find out about these schools is to contact a state university or community college counselor in your area. The University of Texas keeps a list of university websites. See the Resources section for a link.
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Step 3
Obtain a copy of your records from the last school you attended. While you will still have to have an official copy sent to the online high school you choose, it is helpful to have a copy on hand when choosing a school so that you can determine which school offers the courses you need.
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Step 4
Contact the school or schools you found in Step 2 and find out if they offer the courses you need to complete your diploma.Call, write or email the schools you are considering, using the information on the copy of your school records to determine whether they offer the classes you need. Also, if you are contacting a private school, ask about accreditation, university transfers and/or job placement. Gather all the information you need to make a final decision about which school to attend. Once you have contacted the schools and found one that meets your needs, follow through with their enrollment process and you are on your way to finishing high school online.
Comments
tcnixon said
on 6/17/2009 I would like to clarify your statement about the Best Online High Schools website. While it is true that a small number of the schools listed on the site do pay for an enhanced listing, the vast majority of schools are listed for free.
Should you know of any accredited/approved schools not listed on the site, we are always happy to hear about them and, provided they meet our standards regarding accreditation/approval, we will list them for free.
Tom Nixon
http://BestOnlineHighSchools.com
kylepimiento said
on 5/14/2009 I still prefer alternative schooling than online schooling. One reason is the social activities that the children need. A good alternative school is Fieldstone Academy (http://www.fieldstoneacademy.org)