Best Online High School Programs of 2024

Are you interested in finishing high school at home? In the post-pandemic era, more and more schools offer high-quality education to help you complete your secondary education online.

You can find a program that works for you whether you prefer the quiet of an online environment, benefit from completing coursework at your own pace, or dropped out of high school years ago.

Use our guide below to explore the top online high school diploma programs ranked on affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

Under the umbrella of one of the most competitive universities in the nation, Stanford OHS is a private independent school that offers a rigorous college prep program. Stanford OHS serves more than 1,000 diverse students in grades 7-12.

Stanford OHS offers over 82 academic courses, including 32 post-AP and university-level courses. More than 65% of the faculty members hold doctoral degrees in their fields.

In addition to academic studies, the school sponsors events, meetups, online clubs, weekly virtual homerooms, science colloquiums, and assemblies.

George Washington University Online High School (GWUOHS) is a private college-preparatory high school that operates entirely online and is one of the nation’s first virtual high schools to be affiliated with a major research university.

GWUOHS serves academically talented students who seek a college preparatory diploma. The school requires students to complete 24 credits in order to earn that diploma.

GWUOHS uses a best-in-class curriculum from online leader K12, and students can take dual-enrollment courses through Northern Virginia Community College at a discounted rate. Every single graduate has been accepted to a university, including top-tier schools like Harvard and UC Berkeley.

The University of Missouri High School: Mizzou K-12 is part of the University of Missouri’s College of Education.

Students may choose from one of two diploma program options: the standard program (24 credits) or the college-prep diploma program (25 credits). The 200-plus course options include AP, honors, special topics, and NCAA-eligible classes.

Graduates have been accepted into some of the most prestigious and traditionally selective institutions in the United States, including Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, and Cornell.

Based in Ojai, California, Mother of Divine Grace (MODG) is a private school founded in 1995 that offers a Catholic, classical approach to schooling. Dual-enrollment credits are an option for students; they need to enroll via their local community college.

Recent MODG graduates have been accepted into Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Penn, and other prestigious institutions. To earn a diploma, MODG requires students to complete 22.5 credits (225 units).

MODG also promotes the fine arts with music, visual arts, and performing arts courses, along with apprenticeships, homeschooling assistance, and teacher services/learning support.

Founded in 1999, the University of Texas High School (UTHS) offers virtual learning to 6,000 students and has partnerships with over 300 school districts worldwide. Both part-time and full-time students have access to coursework 24/7.

Qualified UTHS students have the benefit of selecting a dual-credit program through University Extension (the University of Texas at Austin online college program), which offers courses and exams in more than 60 subject areas. In addition, students may choose to take online AP classes, NCAA-approved classes, or classes for credit recovery.

Since Texas requires 26 credits to earn a high school diploma, students typically enroll in 6–7 courses per semester to graduate in four years.

Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, Oak Meadow School was founded by parents and teachers seeking to reignite their children’s spark for learning. The school takes a progressive, compassionate, and child-centered approach to education.

Students must complete 22 credits for the standard diploma and 24-26 for the college-prep diploma. Oak Meadow School provides plenty of pathways to earn those credits. For example, the Life Experience Elective Credit program permits enrolled students to earn up to one full elective credit per year for extracurricular involvement.

In keeping with the spirit of independent learning, enrolled juniors and seniors are required to participate in a self-directed, credit-earning Advanced Study Project over a semester.

International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) is a year-round, online, private K-12 school based in California. Students may enroll and begin courses at any time, and all course material is delivered online, optimizing flexibility for students and their families.

The self-paced coursework accommodates diverse learning needs, as do the six different curriculum options: Accelerate, Ignitia Christian, Apex Learning, GradPoint, Odesseyware, or Plato Learning. The school also offers AP and honors courses. Students create a specialized academic plan in cooperation with their student success coaches.

IVLA welcomes adult learners into its Adult High School online program specifically for nontraditional students.

Founded in 1991, Laurel Springs School is an online private school that focuses on preparing students for college and offers a wide range of academic experiences.

Laurel Springs School delivers instruction through a series of asynchronous courses. The interactive grade book provides 24/7 access to each student’s progress and archives past quizzes and tests that can be reviewed online at any time.

The Laurel Springs School offers a unique range of core and elective classes for students in high school. Learners are encouraged to shape their education outside of core courses, with over 100 electives available.

Laurel Springs offers dual-enrollment options with Baylor University and Syracuse University.

Inspired by her life and acting in her memory, Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences (CMASAS) honors Christa McAuliffe by educating the next generation of leaders, scientists, philosophers, and artists. CMASAS aims to prepare the next generation of learners for a rapidly changing world.

CMASAS upholds a personalized education philosophy, using curriculum and teaching methods based on current brain and educational research. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, international trips, and a dual-enrollment program with Arizona State University.

As a year-round school with asynchronous instruction, CMASAS offers live interaction and assistance from instructors and educational facilitators. Students must complete 24 credits to earn the diploma.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Connections Academy is an online school serving more than 100,000 students worldwide.

Students may choose from honors and AP courses or dual-enrollment classes. Some students may earn a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time.

Connections Academy offers socialization opportunities through virtual clubs and local connections. The school supports 20 clubs that enroll 9,000 students.

An online high school diploma may be your ticket to graduation and your springboard to a first-rate education.

Adults with a high school diploma earn an average of nearly $10,000 more per year than adults who haven’t finished high school, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Furthermore, historically, people with diplomas make considerably more than those with General Education Development (GED) certificates and are much more likely to graduate from college.

Almost all colleges require applicants to possess a high school diploma or a GED certificate to earn an offer of admission. Earning your high school diploma online means you meet this qualification.

By taking a college-preparatory track at an academically rigorous online high school, you can prepare for the challenges of college work.

Every branch of the U.S. military requires its service members to hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. No branch of the military distinguishes between high school diplomas earned online and those earned on campus.

Earning a high school diploma offers significant advantages over passing the GED test, which certifies academic skills at the high school level but sets the bar much lower than a typical high school education.

If you want to join the military, you will have to score much higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery if you have a GED certificate than if you have a high school diploma.

There are four types of online high school diploma programs: private, public, charter, and college/university-sponsored. Each program type has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s up to you to figure out which is right for you.

Public and charter school programs are government-funded, offered by particular states or districts, and free to resident minors. They are usually accredited by Cognia or another agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and are state-approved.

Online public schools often have strict guidelines, limited course selections, and cater only to certain resident populations. Charter schools offer more flexibility with either specialized or individualized programming.

Private online high schools are usually offered nationwide and have limited government oversight. They typically feature great programs that cater to the needs of individual students, offer specialized programming, and meet a variety of learning styles.

The drawback of private schools is their cost. Furthermore, even the most exciting programs need to be properly accredited to ensure you’re earning a valuable education.

University-sponsored online high school diploma programs offer many advantages and are often accredited. Most university-sponsored programs offer a high-quality education, flexibility, and advanced and dual-credit programs.

However, these programs often have more selective admissions standards and less interaction with instructors or services and can be expensive.

The best online high schools are approved and accredited, offer dual-enrollment options for college-bound learners, can demonstrate high graduation rates, and fit your family’s educational budget.

Accreditation and state approval are of prime importance when determining the quality of a potential online high school program. Programs accredited through agencies recognized by ED are your safest bet regarding legitimacy.

If a school isn’t upfront about its accreditation status or the accrediting agency isn’t recognized by ED, you may want to look elsewhere. Legitimate online high school programs must also be state-approved. This means they must be approved in the state where the diploma will be issued, regardless of where the student resides.

Diplomas from approved and accredited online high schools are academically equivalent to those earned in the traditional high school setting.

Through creative, challenging, and appropriate coursework, the best online high schools can prepare students to transition into college studies or the workforce successfully.

This could include offering college credit or dual-enrollment programs and career preparation, such as career certificates or training courses. Schools should publish graduation rates, average GPA data, average SAT/ACT scores, and student satisfaction data.

What makes a program affordable varies according to each person’s means; however, it always pays to look at the fine print regarding tuition, discounts, payment plans, and any additional fees. Every school has a different tuition schedule; one school may offer a generous payment plan, and another might offer discounts.

Schools may impose additional fees apart from the standard application and registration fees, including costs for transcripts, diploma copies, textbooks, exam proctoring, and more. Be sure to consult each school’s website for up-to-date details about tuition, fees, and financial aid.

If you are on the path to a college degree, consider if the online high school you’re interested in offers any dual-enrollment classes. Dual-enrollment classes give you the chance to earn both high school and college credit for the same course, saving money on future college classes.

“Early college” or “pre-college” programs may even allow you to earn an associate degree while finishing your high school diploma.