This post on Accredited Online High Schools in California contains a wealth of information for high school students seeking to gain admission to an online high school in California. Seeking for such? Then this blog post is the right one for you!
California is a western US state and has numerous accredited online high schools for students who want to gain admission and graduate with high grades.
California has over ten percent of the country’s population. The State of California has 3,890 high schools, with over 3,160 public and 730 private schools. California’s high school graduation rate is 82.7%, which is a major concern for education officials.
63% of California high school graduates matriculate in post-secondary institutions, with 26% enrolling in a 4-year university, and 37% attending a two-year or certificate program.
California’s thriving technology hub hires a lot of the brightest minds, along with numerous startup opportunities. California has numerous colleges available for enrollment, with the leading colleges being Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California.
In recent years, academics have been trending toward online high school platforms. With this change, it is now more important than ever to find an effective online high school to support learning needs. Many students have transitioned to online learning with underprepared public schools and teachers.
Enrolling in one of the free online high schools in California is an innovative learning method that will help students quickly become familiar with online learning tools and how to use them effectively to promote their learning. In no time, they will become masters at e-learning and start earning certifications, as well as, degrees online.
Some of the Top Accredited online high schools in California are listed below;
- American High School
- Stanford Online High School
- Laurel Springs School
- Everest Academy
- California Connections Academy
- Learning Post Academy
We also have articles on various online high schools scattered all over the states in the US. For students living in North Carolina, we have articles on online high schools in North Carolina, in other parts of the world, we have online high schools in Utah, online high schools in Minnesota, and online high schools in Illinois.
There are not only the best and most accredited online high schools, across the world, but we also have the worst online high schools to enroll into. You can check out our blog post about the worst online high schools in Canada to know more about them.
Let’s move forward to important questions to be answered concerning online high schools in California.
How can I get my high school diploma online in California?
You can earn an accredited high school diploma for free online in just 18 months or less through LA County Library and the Career Online High School program. You’ll also receive a career certificate and personalized online career coaching.
Unlike some other free online diploma programs, Career Online High School is fully accredited as an online school district by COGNIA, A global network of educators dedicated to your priorities.
COGNIA provides nationally recognized accreditation for 36,000 institutions across the United States and in 85 countries worldwide.
This means that Career Online High School is recognized across the nation as a quality school system, delivering an accredited online high school diploma.
Is online high school free in California?
Yes, Online high school in California powered by K12 offers the innovation of 21st-century learning with the familiar benefits of traditional public schooling, such as:
- Tuition-free education
- Instruction and academic support from California-credentialed teachers
- A high school diploma for graduates
- In-person social opportunities such as field trips and other activities
Benefits of Online High Schools in California
Online High Schools have a lot of benefits for students which are listed below;
Students Create their Schedule
Online high school allows students to create a schedule that will allow them to study at times that are the most natural to them. Furthermore, the ability to create their schedule allows students to better fit their extracurricular activities, social events, and part-time jobs around their school schedule.
Students learn at their own pace
In online programs, students get to create their own pace when working on their coursework. This can allow them to work faster on topics/subjects they are more comfortable with while allowing them to take their time on subjects they find more difficult. This then creates the perfect, individualized learning environment for each student.
Blended Learning Models
This variety ensures there is always a teaching model that connects with the student’s learning style and emotional needs.
Better Learning Environment
Many students find that they prefer the online learning environment to that of a traditional high school. While certain students may thrive in the social, communal environment of the traditional school setting, other students may find themselves distracted by their classmates.
Furthermore, some students with social anxieties, or who have been subject to bullying, may find their home to be a more comfortable, nurturing learning environment.
Online High Schools in California
There are numerous online high schools in California, the top ten are listed below. To assign rankings, we’ve compared these schools on the following different matrices:
- Number of accreditations;
- Number of courses offered;
- Fee structure and flexibility of payment;
- Reviews from school alumni;
- Technologies used to facilitate students;
- Other notable services, if any.
Based on rankings, the following is the list of TEN best online high schools in California:
1 . American High School
This is the first on the list of online high schools in California. Incorporated in 2004, American High School has had the privilege of teaching more than 36,000 students from all over the world.
With a course offering of 500+, it offers a rich and quality online learning experience for its students, which is custom-tailored to attend different niches from academic to technical.
The School has several accreditations including, but not limited to, AdvancED, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, National Council for Private School Accreditation, and Accreditation International.
The School is also NCAA-approved, making it an ideal online high School for students and athletes.
Among the many advantages, the most noteworthy is the flexibility in payment of fees. The School provides several monthly payment options to make it easy for the students to attend their courses without paying a huge lump-sum fee at once.
2 . Stanford Online High School
This is the second on the list of online high schools in California. Founded by Stanford University in 2006, Stanford Online High school offers a high number of accelerated AP and University level courses for students worldwide.
Their curriculum is one of a kind and is taught by one of the best faculty in California as over two-thirds of their teachers have doctoral degrees and are former university professors.
This brings with it the extensive experience which is transferred down to the line to the students.
The School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and it primarily focuses on students that are gifted and intellectual risk-takers.
This is a pro for these types of students as the environment in which they’re taught comprises all-competitive students. This not only brings the best out of them but forces them to strive for their place and ranking.
Among the many advantages, there are a few disadvantages that one should seriously consider before applying. These include:
- You need to spend at least 50 hours a week to attend five classes at a minimum, which can further increase depending on your course selection and electives;
- Social activities are relatively limited as most of your time will be occupied attending different lectures;
- The minimum fee is $4,150, which needs to be paid up-front, making it difficult for students belonging to unprivileged families.
If you’re solely focused on academics and challenging your limits, then this is the right school for you.
3. Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is a WASC accredited online high school offering custom-tailored courses to students who like to study in a flexible environment.
Pioneered with an approach that allows students to have a one-on-one relationship with teachers and individually graded assignments, it makes up for a unique study experience. It is the next on the list of online high schools in California.
Among their course offerings, their exceptional services include their approach to online schooling. As a first step, the student is provided counseling by professionals to enable them to understand what their best niche is.
Upon selection, a course outline can be skimmed, which can then be tailored at flexible times to avoid the risk of skipping a class. The School then asynchronously delivers these courses, ensuring that all content, including tests and quizzes, can be viewed at any time round the clock 24/7.
Talking about disadvantages, the only we could find was the hefty fee associated with their course offering, amounting to an average of $13,000 per year. You can avail of a 10% discount if you have a sibling who’s currently studying or has previously studied at this School.
4. NorthStar Academy
This is one of the online high schools in California. A highly accredited school from Cognia, ASCI, and NCAA, NorthStar Academy is an online private Christian School offering various courses, including a diploma program.
Courses spanning more than 200 with an average fee of $450, which can further be reduced by availing discounts, NorthStar Academy is a valid contender for one of California’s best online high schools.
The courses are custom-tailored, and the ratio of student to teacher is kept minimal to ensure adequate attention is given to all students whilst maintaining professional decorum round the clock.
All online lectures and other course material are uploaded to the learning management system of The School on a priority basis enabling students to have access to it 24/7.
5. California Virtual Academies
California Virtual Academies is a complete ecosystem of nine high-quality charter schools. Founded in 2002, it is accredited by WASC, offering individualized learning material for each student. It is one of the schools on the list of online high schools in California.
A course offering of more than 90 and a learning plan custom-tailored for each student guarantees success for students during and after their high school.
Among the many pros, this School plays an active role in involving parents by providing them up-to-date progress of their children such that it can be monitored in real-time at the convenience of their phones and tablets.
Further, it encourages students to participate in extra-curricular activities, thereby enabling socialization and lobbying among students.
The best part is that it’s FREE to attend, making it the most viable choice for students who want access to quality education without having to pay a hefty fee.
6. Redlands eAcademy
The Redlands eAcademy is an accredited online high school by the WASC engaged in the provision of custom-tailored courses for students at ZERO fees.
Having a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, Redlands eAcademy ranks as one of the best face-to-face online and independent learning. It is one of the schools on the list of online high schools in California.
The School makes use of Edgenuity as its technology partner to provide these courses to the students. Talking about the many pros, the most notable is the functionality of families during the schooling process. Parents can monitor their children’s progress through the Edgenuity Parent Portal and provide feedback to help the School improvise its offerings.
7. Learning Post High School
Part of Learning Post Academy was founded in 1980; The School has been actively providing education to students for more than 40 years. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the NCAA, the School is offering various courses to students and athletes worldwide. It is on the list of online high schools in California.
The unique offerings of this School include the following:
- Flexible learning environment;
- Timely availability of lectures and other course matters;
- One on one teacher support;
- Online counseling; and
- Student financial aid.
If you’re looking to acquire quality lessons and bright prospects, then Learning Post High School is the best fit for you.
8. ILead Hybrid
Founded in 2015, ILead Hybrid has been serving many students across the globe, providing top-of-the-line education. The School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and focuses on providing a student-oriented learning platform. read Hybrid is a FREE public charter school where each family is assigned a credentialed facilitator who then customizes the learning plan for each. It’s amongst the online high schools in California
Among the many advantages, the notable ones of the School are as follows:
- Tuition-free learning platform accredited by the WASC;
- Qualified and experienced teachers;
- Timely availability of online course material;
- Flexible high school options;
- Webinars for students and family members; and
- Complimentary subscription to BrainPOP.
9. Orchard View
Accredited by the NCAA, Orchard View has provided education services to over 2,600 students in the past whilst its Community Education has facilitated over 30,000 individuals in the community in areas of education and community resources. It is also another online high school in California
The School uses a non-traditional way of teaching its students by minimizing the ratio of student to ratio. It treats every student as unique and thus has a custom-tailored program designed to suit its respective students’ niches.
Further, the student also meets regularly with a supervising teacher who works closely together with their parents to discuss their progress and make changes to the curriculum, if needed.
Offers a wide array of courses at a minimal fee, which includes Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, Visual and Performing Arts, Practical Arts, Applied Arts, and Technology.
10. IHigh Virtual Academy
Being NCAA-approved, IHigh Virtual Academy offers a variety of online courses to its students at the ZERO fees. It is the last on the list of online high schools in California. The School is a public high school providing the following benefits to its students:
- Manage your work from home;
- Access to a curriculum and other course material round the clock;
- Progress tracking;
- Ability to schedule learning hours at your convenience; and
- Access to test results in real-time.
- All students are provided an independent teacher who supervises the learning progress whilst commenting on the student’s test results.
The only con associated with The School is the need to report to the School’s campus for proctored midterm and final exams for each core subject.
This ends the list of the top online high schools in California. I will go ahead and answer frequently asked questions concerning online high schools in California.
Online High Schools in California – FAQs
What is the Cost of Online High Schools in California?
There is no definite answer to this question. Tuition varies among online high schools.
How Many Online High Schools are in California?
There are 32 online high schools in California. There are two types of online high schools available in California: private online high schools and public online high schools.
1. Private Online High School
- San Diego Virtual School
- EPGY Online High School
- Laurel Springs School
- Forest Trail Academy
- Halstrom High School Online
- National University Virtual High School
- Orange Lutheran High School Online
- Global Village School
- Sycamore Academy
- Allied High School
- North Star Academy
- The Keystone School
- James Madison High School
- Excel High School
- Penn Foster High School
- K12 International Academy
- National High School
- Apex Learning Virtual School
2. Public Online High School
- Sage Oak Charter Schools
- California Virtual Academies
- Choice 2000 Online High School
- New Day Academy
- Insight School of California
- Ocean Grove Charter School
- South Sutter Charter School
- Oak Knoll Virtual Academy
- Pacific View Charter School
- Delta Pacific Online School
- iHigh Virtual Academy
- Dunlap Leadership Academy
- IQ Academy California
- Riverside Virtual School
The state of California offers online learning for grades 9–12. Over 56,000 students are taking one or more online classes in California, according to the reports California Department of Education.
Can Adults Enroll in Online High Schools in California?
Yes, Adults can enroll in online high schools in California to get a diploma. Career Online High School (COHS) is a free online high school diploma and career certificate program for adults, available through LA County Library.