What to Expect from a Free Online High School

Students who will be attending a free online high school may learn anywhere they choose that allows for internet access. Students will not be visiting a school site physically to learn, so students will instead take their intended courses online and interact with their teachers in virtual classrooms or live sessions. Students will often need to contact teachers via email or phone.⁷

For parents, it is important to know that a typical school day for a student enrolled in an online high school is much like a school day for public school students. Students will still need to engage in five to six hours of classwork and continue their studies outside of class with assigned homework. Students are still able to set a general schedule for the online school they are enrolled in, but parents must know that the amount of time required for studies and coursework will be the same whether or not the school takes place online or in a public school.⁸

Free online high schools are not all the same, but parents can often expect these things when selecting a school that suits their student’s needs.

Tuition-free and full time
Classes and curriculum that follow a traditional school year
Abide by state requirements for instruction and assessments
Able to award students with a high school diploma upon graduation
Classes are taught by state certified teachers
School provides parents with the necessary materials for their student’s courses and the means by which they can access them.⁹

Also, parents and students may still take part in high school activities that are offered by the online high school. Most online high schools offer the opportunity for contests, field trips, clubs, and study sessions. This way, students can still receive the same external benefits from attending a typical high school with all of the benefits of a free online high school.¹⁰

What Parents Need to Know When Choosing a Free Online High School

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