Frequently Asked Questions
Online High School Information
The best way to understand online high schools is to consider some common questions:
1.What is an online high school? A high school is considered online when it is hosted entirely, or conducted largely, through the web. Some high schools have virtual learning components, however, they are not truly “online.” More Info
2.How can I find a free online high school or earn a free online high school diploma?
Online high schools that operate free of charge or “tuition free”, are usually public high schools that are state funded. More Info 3.How does an online high school work? Online high schools vary based on their programs. For instance, some online high schools host live virtual meetings, while others host schedules or basic forms of communication between teacher and student. Some online high school programs host the entire curriculum online, and others offer both hardcopy books as well as computer-based instruction online. Some online high school programs provide pre-scripted audio or visual presentations, while others provide live instruction. Online high school programs are not all equal. Consider our top online high schools we recommend. More Info 4.What’s the difference between a “cyber school”, “virtual school”, or an “online high school”? The difference between the terms “online high school” and other terms such as “cyber school”, “virtual school”, etc., is based on popularity. Historically, many terms have been used to identify online high schools. Today, the commonly accepted phrase is “online high school”. More Info 5.Are online high schools legitimate, or are they real? YES, online high schools are legitimate, so long as they are fully accredited, and staffed by credentialed teachers. Online high schools are paving the way for a new age of technology-embedded education. Legitimate online high schools have to go through the same accreditation processes, and can offer more than their brick and mortar counterparts. More Info 6.How long have online high schools been around? That’s debatable, but arguably the majority of truly online programs have only been sufficiently functional within the last decade. More Info 7.Do colleges accept online high school diplomas, classes, or courses? Like all schools, this depends on the online high school’s accreditation. Depending upon the type of online high school accreditation and classes offered, colleges strongly support online education. More Info 8.What technology is involved? A computer and internet connection meet the basic online high school requirements. Webcams and microphone headsets allow for other forms of communication with the teacher. A variety of online high school software is used depending on the program. Some online high schools meet live in virtual web meetings. More Info 9.How long do I have to spend on the computer? That varies from online high school to online high school, some require full day attendance, whereas others do not. More Info 10.I took a college online course. Is high school similar? Depending upon the college level online course, they can differ greatly. Online high schools tend to be more interactive than their college counterparts. College courses tend to involve less communication online vs. online high schools which are generally more interactive. More Info
