Choose An Industry Discover A Future
Whether theyre looking to get a head-start on college while still in high school, interested in easing the financial burden of college, or want to prepare for a career field in the new economyStride Career Prep has just what your teen needs. Students can choose a pathway in variety of high-demand career fields, including:
New Learning Resource Online
New Learning Resource Online is among the best online high schools in the Southern U.S., providing a simple, easy-to-navigate online education system that offers students an alternate path to a high school diploma. New Learning Resource, as a best high school online, offers an open enrollment all year, with education programs that have been professionally developed. In addition, enrolled students at this best online school for high school can complete the program at their own pace. Available programs include programs for high school students, adult learners, summer school students, plus a job corps center, among others.
New Learning Resource Online is a distance learning platform that is accredited at the national, regional , and state level. All educators at New Learning Resource are state-certified.
Highlight: New Learning Resource Online offers two pathways for students to earn their high school diploma, the standard pathway or the district diploma pathway.
Expect A Learning Curve
If online school is something you and your student decide to try, even just temporarily, it is important to realize that therell be a learning curve. Dont let that get you down!
You just have to be open minded, said Bryan Klochack, principal of an online school in Michigan. We often refer to it as drinking out of a fire hydrant at the start because it is so different.
While online school is not for every student and every family, it can make a world of a difference for some. As Klochack said, Having that option for families to put their kids where theyre going to find great success: Thats what were all about.
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Everythings Bigger In Texas: Enroll Today In New Statewide Digital Academy
New Public-School Program Will Set Students on Path to Education and Career Success
LEWISVILLE, Texas—-With demand for online school options at an all-time high, enrollment is now open for the 2022-2023 school year at Digital Academy of Texas , a new full-time, public-school program for Texas students in grades 5-12.
Sponsored by the Texarkana Independent School District, DATX will provide students with a standards-aligned curriculum facilitated by highly qualified Texas-certified teachers, from the safety of their homes or anywhere with an internet connection. And with the schools unique career-focused approach, students can pair a solid academic foundation with hands-on learning experiences in career exploration.
In addition to core classes, students at DATX can take career-focused electives to explore their options in high-demand fields such as Arts, Technology, Business, Health Services, and IT. And students can work towards resume-building certificates such asAdobe, CompTIA Microsoft Office Specialist, QuickBooks, and more.
According to labor market data from Indeed.com, more than 310,000 job openings posted in Texas in the last year require an education level less than a bachelors degree. And with 3.6M Texas residents carrying nearly $118 billion in student loan debt, DATX is opening at a time when families need learning options that will strengthen students future educational prospects.
About Digital Academy of Texas
Franklin Virtual High School

Franklin Virtual High School is among the most innovative & best online high schools in Northern Florida and the southern U.S. This Tallahassee-based best high school online is accredited by the Florida Board of Education and Cognia . This best online school for high school provides a cost-effective educational option to students and families in need of an alternative path to a high school diploma. Franklin Virtual High School offers more than 200 high school level, accredited classes to full-time enrolled students.
Franklin Virtual High School was founded in 2010 and is designed to offer education and academic programs to students in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades.
Highlight: In addition to high school classes, Franklin Virtual High School offers preparation classes for the SAT and ACT exams.
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Maintain An Open Dialogue
Going through a midyear school transfer doesnt end once your student starts classes. Be sure to listen carefully and address your students questions and concerns. Continue to communicate with school staff regularly. Teachers, counselors, and administrators are there to help. Maintaining an open dialogue with them is key to a smooth transition to virtual school.
What Is The Salary Outlook*
Salaries vary depending on the job, experience, and location but approximate sample salaries include:
- Computer Programmer$93,000 per year
- Information Security Analyst$102,600 per year
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator$80,600 per year
- Software Developer$110,140 per year
Which industry-recognized, in-demand certifications and exams can my student prepare for?
- Microsoft Technology Associate in HTML Programming certification
- Oracle Certified Associate Java certification
*Some of these jobs require additional education and certifications once a student graduates from high school. Salaries vary depending on the job title, experience, and location. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Need More Info
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Best Free: Khan Academy
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No community or one-on-one attention
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Some students cant learn via video instruction
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Instruction is flat, i.e. not interactive
Khan Academy, an award-winning nonprofit that offers free educational resources for students, parents, teachers, and homeschoolers, first garnered international attention for its high-quality, completely free SAT prep materialsan attractive alternative to its much pricier peers. But Khan Academy has since expanded to include curriculum pieces for children and teens of all ages.
Simply select your childs grade level and subjectthe Advanced Placement or standardized test theyre preparing for, or the specific skills they need to boostand send them off to gain mastery points as they progress. Easy-to-follow video lessons accompany practice quizzes and unit tests that help you track your kids progress.
This resource is notable not only because its free, but also because of the sheer variety of the content available. Khan Academys materials include many niche topics for adult learners and high school students that arent offered by many other online learning programs.
The virtual academys inclusion of unique subjectslike computer programming and animation, personal finance and entrepreneurship, art history, college admissions, and English as a second languagesolidifies it as one of the best online homeschool programs.
Best For Community: Connections Academy
Connections Academy
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Only available in 31 states
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Usually requires attendance in live classes
If youd rather enroll your child in a full-fledged online school rather than teach them yourself, Connections Academy is a great option for elementary, middle school, and high school students.
At this tuition-free, online public school, your children will be taught according to your states educational standards by certified teachers. Even textbooks and other instructional materials are provided free of charge.
True to its name, Connections Academy might be one of the best online homeschool programs for your family if youre interested in building a connected community with fellow parents, students, and educators.
The online school encourages you to be directly involved with your kids education as Learning Coaches. Online live sessions with teachers and classmates, in addition to extracurriculars like online clubs and activities, allow kids to foster meaningful connections with peers.
Whats more is your kids dont have to miss out on many of the perks of a brick-and-mortar schoollike career counseling, one-on-one sessions with a guidance counselor, standardized test prep, and college prep advisingas these resources are all offered at Connections Academy.
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Digital Learning And Cte
Three key findings of this studyas explored in several of the profiles within this studyare:
Online CTE courses and programs often provide career education options for students who would not otherwise have access to good opportunities.
Full-time online schools provide CTE programs by offering a combination of online career courses and by partnering with businesses, state and regional training centers, and other organizations to combine online learning with on-the-ground, real-world jobs, internships, and learning opportunities.
Hybrid schools and programs, including those run by mainstream districts, provide academic scheduling flexibility to students who seek to prioritize their time in jobs, internships, or career training. No longer do these students have to fit in their career interests after regular school hours or on weekendswhen many companies and high-value jobs are not open or available. For example, a student interested in a veterinary career can work at a vets office during the regular week and school hours, completing some of their online coursework after normal work hours.
The fact that digital learning integrates so well with CTE is reflected in the ways in which digital learning supports several of the 12 elements of the 2018 Quality CTE Program of Study Framework, as detailed below.
Access and Equity
Prepared and Effective Program Staff
Facilities, Equipment, Technology, and Materials
Student Career Development
Myth : Online School Is Less Academically Rigorous Than Traditional Schooling
We talked with another online school leader who had this to share about the rigor of online learning: Our coursework is very challenging, says Bryan Klochack, Principal atMichigan Connections Academy. When we provide surveys to our parents about their happiness with our curriculum and whether its more or less challenging than their previous experience, its well into the high percentage of numbers that its more challenging.
He continued, One of the things that we continue to fight over the years is that when you take a course online, people think of it as a credit recovery course that is not very challenging. As a full-time virtual option, thats not who we are. Were not a credit recovery program. We award diplomas. Were expected to meet the same expectations every traditional brick and mortar district has for students to earn credits and their diploma, so it is very challenging, it is rigorous.
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What Could My Future Look Like In This Career Field**
**Data is from Lightcast and is updated frequently.
What is the salary outlook?**
Salaries vary depending on the job, experience, and location but approximate sample salaries include:
- Computer Programmer$93,000 per year
- Information Security Analyst$102,600 per year
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator$80,600 per year
- Software Developer$110,140 per year
Which industry-recognized, in-demand certifications and exams can my student prepare for?
- Microsoft Technology Associate in HTML Programming certification
- Oracle Certified Associate Java certification
Need More Info
It’s Never Too Late To Make The Switch To Online School
At no time in history have parents had so many different options for their students education, including brick-and-mortar public and private schools, online public and private schools, homeschool, charter schools, and learning pods.
Learn why its never too late to make the transfer to online school. You can also join one of Connections Academys information sessions to learn more about our online public schools to see they are a good fit for your students learning journey.
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Mosaic Digital Academy Upper School
Students at this school are making more academic progress given where they were last year, compared to similar students in the state.
Strong progress with high test scores means students have strong academic skills and the school is a doing a better job at supporting academic growth than most other schools.
This school is far above the state average in key measures of college and career readiness.
Even at schools with strong college and career readiness, there may be students who are not getting the opportunities they need to succeed.
Not All Online Schools Are Created Equal
Do your homework to be sure youre choosing a high-quality virtual school one that employs professional and certified/licensed teachers and school counselors. Make sure the school is accredited and offers a wide range of courses and a proven curriculum developed by professional educators. Talk to parents with students currently enrolled in the school and get their insights into the school staff and curriculum.
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What Are Some Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling
Homeschooling families appreciate the flexibility they get in determining how and what kids learn. The childrens curriculum can be tailored to suit their individual learning style, personality, and interests.
Because theyre not in a classroom with 25 other students, there are fewer distractions and less busy work that could lead to wasted time or boredom. Often, schoolwork can be completed in a shorter time frame, and students can progress based on their own temperament and schedule.
Parents and kids who homeschool also have some flexibility in their schedules, because they dont have to adhere to the strict routine that traditional schools set. Children can learn at the time of day that works best for them, and families can plan vacations in the off-season.
Some of the biggest disadvantages of homeschooling are the high level of parental involvement and commitment, as well as the potential loss of income. Someone must be home, at least part-time, to organize and facilitate their childrens learning. Even if both parents are able to keep working, it can be challenging to adjust work schedules and career goals to accommodate homeschooling.
Another difficulty can be criticism or lack of understanding from others about the decision to homeschool. Some parents also deal with some stress and lack of confidence about being responsible for their childs education. The entire family may feel overwhelmed, especially when theyre first transitioning to homeschooling.
Here To Stay: 3 Reasons Why Families Are Loving Online Schooling
When brick and mortar schools abruptly transitioned to online platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students, parents, and staff could not wait for an eventual return to normalcy. However, after experiencing some of the benefits of online education, many families are choosing to break with their childrens traditional schooling.
On a recent episode of K12s On Learning podcast, four parents explained why they initially made the switch to a Stride K12 school and why theyve chosen to stick with online schooling. These families are certainly not the only ones. According to a survey of 1,000 parents of K12 students, 45 percent would opt to keep their children fully online given the chance, and 22 percent would choose a hybrid model for their children, Rebecca Torchia of Ed Tech Magazine explained. Why are families choosing to go virtual? For these Stride K12 parents, the answer is clear.
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Best For Math And Science: Ck
CK-12 Foundation
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You may need to supplement with other material
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Some students could struggle with navigating the site alone
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May be too advanced in presentation for some students
If youd like your child to beef up their math and science skills, look no further than the wealth of interactive learning tools at the CK-12 Foundation. This free resource offers one of the best online homeschool programs for STEM subjects. Its also one of the most advanced resources available in terms of its seamless use of technology and cutting-edge approaches to learning.
While writing, spelling, and social studies are available, math and science topics are where CK-12s creative curriculum really shines.
Simulations and the Play, Learn, Interact, Explore series integrate graphics and games into lessons about STEM concepts. Meanwhile, CK-12s FlexBooksinteractive online textbooks that allow students to learn as they play and play as they learndistill complex concepts into digestible pieces.
Check out your kids central Dashboard to follow along with their Adaptive Practice progress, which tracks the skills they need to boost and those theyve already mastered in order to tailor their upcoming lessons.
North Dakota Center For Distance Education
The North Dakota Center for Distance Education is one of the most innovative, cutting-edge, and best online high schools in the state of North Dakota. This North Dakota best online school for high school has received accreditation from the NCAA, Cognia, and the states Department of Public Instruction. This best high school online offers programs at the elementary, middle, and high school, plus dual college-level coursework offered in partnership with Mayville State University, with start dates available on an ongoing basis, with an end data auto-generated for 20 weeks.
The North Dakota Center for Distance Education was founded in the mid-1930s to meet the educational needs of non-traditional students around the globe. In addition, the Dakota Center for Distance Education operates as a nonprofit institution of education.
Highlight: Classes offered by the North Dakota Center for Distance Education can be timed to coincide with the students districts school calendar.
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International Virtual Learning Academy
The International Virtual Learning Academy is one of the top online high schools. They offer students an alternate path to academic success. Founded in 2007, this best online school for high school provides individualized learning in a safe & accommodating learning setting. They allow students to learn at a pace that works for them. The International Virtual Learning Academy, as a best high school online, is accredited by Cognia and the Northwest Accreditation Commission . They have NCAA approval for students in the United States.
The International Virtual Learning Academy offers students more than 1,900 online courses. They offer three paths to high school graduation:
- basic diploma for community college
- path to a four-year university
Highlight: The International Virtual Learning Academy offers classes to its more than 900 students across 50 states, 30+ countries, and eight times zones!
Are Online Schools Free To Attend
While there are some private online schools that charge tuition, the majority of online schools are public schools and 100% tuition-free. Some of these free online schools are public charter schools, while some are public district schools. In many cases, online schools even provide loaner computers and internet reimbursements to students.
In the U.S., approximately 375,000 K-12 students attended a free, statewide online school full-time in 2019-2020, a number that jumped to 656,000 for the 2020-2021 school year. While the numbers for 2022 arent in yet, there are certainly many families choosing tuition-free online learning.
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