Obtaining a high school diploma online has never been easier thanks to the wide variety of educational platforms and recognized curriculums. Many people believe that you have to pay to enroll in online high school courses, but in most states it is free. Online high school is a great alternative to regular high school for students for many different reasons. Read on to find out more about online high schools and the benefits they offer.
Online High School Offerings
There are four different types of online high school programs including the following:
- Private
- Private online high schools do not receive any funding from the government. It is important to ensure that the curriculum of a private online high school is comprehensive as these schools since they are not overseen by the state.
- Public
- Public online high schools use a state-wide approved curriculum and are accredited by the state.
- College-sponsored
- College-sponsored online high schools use a college-approved curriculum that is different than that of the state. These course offerings are often for students interested in specializing in a certain area or attending a specific college.
- Charter
- Charter online high schools are funded by the state, but are run privately.
Benefits
There are many benefits to taking high school courses online. Students who attend high school online can graduate early if they finish courses early. In a typical high school setting a student would have to be in class for the required amount of days in the semester, but by attending an online high school a student can finish the course work as early as they want. They can continue with their school work straight through winter and summer breaks if they wish. This means that a highly motivated student can graduate early, attend college, or join the workforce sooner than others.
Many teens are uncomfortable with a typical high school setting. There are many distractions that can take the focus away from completing the work including peer pressure, friends and the social side of things. Online high schools also takes vulnerable teenagers away from many of the negative temptations that may seem appealing in a normal high school setting including skipping classes, drug use, fighting and being bullied.
Many high schools have a limited amount of program offerings due to funding and staffing issues. Online high schools give students access to specialized courses and program offerings including competitive college prep courses.
Throughout the majority of the United States online high schooling is free. Not only is it free, but many states will assist with the cost of an internet connection and a computer rental.
Tips to Ensure Success
There are a few key tips to help ensure success for those that are enrolled in an online high school. The first is to stay motivated. It can be easy to procrastinate and put off doing school work until later because there isn’t a set schedule, but this will derail the student’s efforts. Online high school requires focus and independent learning for a student to be successful. Those who earn their high school diploma online create a daily routine to make sure that school is their priority. These students are also engaged and disciplined to make sure that they graduate.
Earning a high school diploma has never been easier and more convenient now that it can be done from the comfort of one’s own home.