How to Choose the Best Online High School in the U.S.
This is a question that many parents are asking these days as the number of online high schools in the United States continues to grow.
While there are many excellent online high schools available, not all of them are created equal. So how do you choose the best accredited high school for your teenager?
Factors to Consider When Choosing a High School
Accreditation
One of the most important things to consider is the accreditation of the school. Make sure that the school is accredited by one of the recognized accrediting agencies, such as AdvancED, SACS CASI, or NWCCU.
Curriculum
Another important factor to consider is the curriculum. The best online high schools offer a rigorous curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards. The course offerings should also be comprehensive, with a variety of elective courses available.
Electives
The school’s website should have information on the range of elective options available to students and course descriptions for all of the required subjects. An online high school may offer a wide variety of academic courses, extracurricular activities, field trips, or community service opportunities.
Student-Teacher Ratio
The student-teacher ratio is also important. The best online high schools have smaller ratios that allow more one-on-one interaction with your child’s instructor. This not only helps your child stay engaged in his or her studies, but it can help boost confidence by making the student feel like he or she has an actual teacher who cares about him or her and takes time to answer any questions directly.
Planning
Long-term planning is another factor that separates the top online high schools from the rest. While many online high schools allow students to take courses on a part-time basis, some programs can be completed in two or three years. Many of the best online high schools will provide students with a more comprehensive program that allows them to complete an entire course load within four years.
Student Services
The best online school for your child is one that has both excellent academic preparation and solid student services. Look for an accredited school that offers flexible scheduling, plenty of extracurricular activities, and good communication between home and school. A reputable online high school should always have your child’s best interests at heart, along with providing him or her with an excellent educational experience as well as ample opportunities to explore new subjects and ideas.
Best High Schools in America
Online American high schools offer courses for those who wish to get prepared for entering colleges and develop strong fundamentals that can be useful after leaving school. But choosing an online high school against traditional non-online ones is not an easy task as one may think: there are so many such institutions, and each of them has its pros and cons!
Actually, there are several good reasons why anyone should consider attending an online high school. First, online learning allows students to pursue their education while working and participating in extracurricular activities. Many parents prefer this option for their children because it is more flexible than traditional schools. In addition, some students find they have a better rapport with their non-traditional teachers since they tend to be older and more mature.
Online programs also offer a wide variety of courses so that everyone can find something of interest. For instance, if your child has a particular interest in foreign languages, he or she will have the opportunity to learn one with an online program that offers language courses from all around the world. Finally, many online schools provide excellent academic preparation for college admissions exams as the SAT and ACT tests.
The American School System
The American school system is designed to be different from the education systems of other countries. Education starts out very basic in preschool, where the child learns how to socialize and begin learning colors, numbers, shapes, etc. Once they reach about 8th grade, they start advancing into high school. High-schoolers take college-level courses that prepare them for their future careers or higher education after graduating high school.
American High School Years – What You Should Know
Many states require students to stay in high school until age 18; however, each student decides when he or she graduates based on his or her readiness and ability to cope with life’s challenges. People often consider graduating earlier than the standard age as skipping a grade; one must keep in mind that each year of high school includes taking the same level of courses that you would take during a normal grade.
Notably, most high schools in America require four years to complete, but this varies depending on the program. Some online high schools offer a more comprehensive program that allows students to complete an entire course load within four years. Others allow students to take courses on a part-time basis, which can extend the amount of time it takes to complete high school. Speak with an admissions counselor at the online high school you are interested in to find out how long it will take your child to finish. Remember, the most important thing is that the school is accredited and offers a rigorous curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards.
The primary purpose of compulsory education is to offer basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic to prepare students for higher learning. Most high schools provide electives so students can choose subjects outside their typical course load. At the end of the 12th grade, all American students complete Advanced Placement (AP) exams given by the College Board in various academic disciplines, and if they pass, they may earn college credit before even graduating from high school.
Upper-secondary education also includes honors classes on top of regular-level courses designed to challenge students to work efficiently. By graduation, many students take on-level courses while others take courses meant for college-bound students.
Some high school curriculums include the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). Many employers and colleges require applicants to hold such educational credentials if they graduate from an international curriculum. Graduates can also transfer credits to American institutions as elective credits, which may increase their chances of completing a degree program in the U.S.
High School Grades
In the U.S., high school grades are based on a letter-grade scale where “A” is the best, “B” is good, “C” is average, “D” is poor, and “F” is a failure. The percentage equivalent of these grades can vary depending on the grading scale used by your high school, but the following table provides a general overview:
Percentage Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Most colleges accept a 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0) as an admission criterion; however, this varies from college to college. Furthermore, some colleges accept a GPA that ranges from 2.5 to 4.0, but the higher the GPA, the greater your chances of being accepted.
It is important to remember that grades earned in college prep courses (i.e., honors and Advanced Placement) are weighted more heavily than grades earned in regular-level courses. For instance, an “A” in an honors course might be equivalent to a 4.0 GPA, whereas an “A” in a regular level course might only be worth 3.0 GPA points.
The American high school system can be daunting for both parents and students; however, it is one of the best in the world and prepares students for college and beyond.
American Online School for International Students
International students can receive a U.S. diploma from an online high school such as High School of America. Our online high school offers a comprehensive curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards. Our teachers are highly qualified and our students receive personal attention in a supportive learning environment.
High School Online Classes
Are you looking for a high school that offers online classes? If so, consider enrolling your child in High School of America. Our online high school offers a comprehensive curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards.
Our teachers are highly qualified, and our students receive personal attention in a supportive learning environment. Contact us today to learn more about our online high school for international students.
Why High School of America is the right choice for You?
High School of America provides education services through online high school courses and diplomas that allow students to receive a U.S. diploma. Here are the top reasons why High School of America is the right option for you:
- Our online high school offers a comprehensive curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards.
- Our teachers are highly qualified, and our students receive personal attention in a supportive learning environment.
- We offer a variety of diploma programs like the U.S. High School Diploma.
- We provide students with the opportunity to earn college credits before graduating from high school.
- We are fully accredited.
- We offer a variety of courses, including honors courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
- We provide students with access to a wide range of extracurricular activities.
- Our graduates are accepted at many U.S colleges, universities, and military institutions.
- We provide an individualized approach to each of our students’ education needs through personalized learning plans (PLP).
We’re Here to Help You Reach Your Academic Goals!
If you’re looking for a high school that offers online classes and has been accredited, please get in touch with us right away for more information about our admissions process or to speak with one of our advisors today!
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your teen reach his or her academic goals!