This post about accredited online high schools in California has a ton of information for high school students looking to enroll in online high schools in California. Looking for one? Then this blog post is for you!
California, located in the western United States, boasts numerous accredited online high schools that cater to students aiming to achieve high academic standards.
The state of California holds over 10% of the nation’s population and hosts a total of 3,890 high schools, with more than 3,160 being public and 730 private institutions. Education officials are particularly concerned about California’s high school graduation rate, which stands at 82.7%.
Of the high school graduates in California, 63% proceed to higher education, with 26% enrolling in four-year universities and 37% pursuing two-year programs or certificate courses.
California’s vibrant technology sector not only employs some of the brightest minds but also offers ample opportunities for startups. The state features a diverse range of colleges and universities, including prestigious institutions like Stanford University, Caltech, and the University of California.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards online high school education. This shift underscores the importance of selecting an effective online school that meets individual learning needs, especially as many students and public schools navigate the challenges of adapting to online learning formats.
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 learn how to use them effectively to advance their learning. In no time, they will become masters of e-learning and begin earning certificates and diplomas online.
Some of the best accredited online schools in California are listed below;
- American high school
- Stanford Online High School
- Laurel Springs School
- Everest Academy
- California Connections Academy
- Postal Training Academy
We also have articles about various online schools scattered throughout the US. For students living in North Carolina, we have articles about 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 .
Not only are there the best and most accredited online schools around the world, but there are also the worst online schools to get into. You can check out our blog post on the worst online schools in Canada to learn more about them.
Let’s get to the important questions that need to be answered about online schools in California.
How can I get a high school diploma online in California?
You can earn an accredited high school diploma online for free in just 18 months or less through the Los Angeles County Library and Career Online High School program. You’ll also receive a career certificate and personalized online career coaching.
Unlike some other free online degree 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 to 36,000 institutions in the United States and 85 countries worldwide.
This means that Career Online High School is recognized nationwide as a quality school system that offers accredited online high school diplomas.
Is Online High School Free in California?
Yes, California’s K12 online high school offers 21st century learning innovations with the familiar benefits of traditional public school education , such as:
- Free education
- Tutoring and academic support from California-certified teachers
- High School Diploma for Graduates
- Personal social opportunities such as excursions and other activities
Benefits of Online Schools in California
Online high schools have many benefits for students which are listed below;
Students make their own schedule
Online school allows students to create a schedule that allows them to study at a time that is most natural for them. Additionally, the ability to create their own schedule allows students to better fit their extracurricular activities, social events, and part-time jobs into their school schedule.
Students learn at their own pace
In online programs, students can create their own pace when working on coursework. This can allow them to work faster on topics/subjects that they are more comfortable with and allows them to take their time with topics that they find more challenging. This creates an ideal personalized learning environment for each student.
Blended learning models
This diversity ensures that there is a teaching model that matches the learning style and emotional needs of the student.
The best learning environment
Many students find that they prefer the online learning environment to the traditional high school environment. While some students may thrive in the social, communal environment of a traditional school environment, other students may become distracted by their classmates.
Additionally, some students with social anxiety or those who have been bullied may find their home a more comfortable and nurturing environment for learning.
Online High Schools in California
There are many online schools in California, the top ten are listed below. To assign the rankings, we compared these schools on the following different matrices:
- Number of accreditations;
- Number of courses offered;
- Compensation structure and payment flexibility;
- Feedback from school graduates;
- Technologies used to assist students;
- Other known services, if any.
According to the ranking, below is a list of the TEN best online schools in California:
1 . American high school
Leading the list of online high schools in California is American High School, established in 2004 and serving over 36,000 students globally.
Offering a wide array of more than 500 courses, American High School provides a robust online learning experience tailored to diverse academic and technical fields.
The school holds several accreditations, including AdvancED, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, the National Council for Private School Accreditation, and Accreditation International. Additionally, it is NCAA approved, making it a preferred choice for both students and athletes.
One of the standout features is its flexible fee payment options, allowing students to choose from several monthly payment plans rather than a single large payment upfront, ensuring accessibility to their courses.
2. Stanford Online High School
This is the second online high school in California. Stanford Online High School, founded by Stanford University in 2006, offers a large number of accelerated AP and university-level courses to students from all over the world.
Their curriculum is one of a kind and is taught by some of the best faculty in California, as over two-thirds of their faculty have doctorates and are former university professors.
This brings with it a wealth of experience that is passed on to the students on line.
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is primarily focused on gifted students who are intellectually adventurous.
This is a plus for such students because the environment they study in is made up of competitive students. This not only brings out the best in them but also makes them strive for their place and ranking.
Among the many benefits, there are also a few drawbacks that should be seriously considered before use. These include:
- You must spend at least 50 hours per week to attend a minimum of five classes, which may be further increased depending on the course and electives you choose;
- Social activities are relatively limited, as most of your time will be spent attending various lectures;
- The minimum fee is $4,150 and must be paid in advance, making it difficult for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
If you are focused solely on your studies and challenge yourself, then this is the right school for you.
3. Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is a WASC accredited online school offering individual courses for students who enjoy learning in a flexible environment.
The first approach, which allows students to interact one-on-one with teachers and have assignments graded individually, provides a unique learning experience. This is the next on the list of online high schools in California.
Among their course offerings, their exceptional services include their approach to online learning. As a first step, professionals consult the student so that he can understand what his best niche is.
Once selected, a course outline can be viewed, which can then be adapted to a flexible time to avoid the risk of missing a class. The school then delivers these courses asynchronously, ensuring that all content, including tests and quizzes, can be viewed at any time, 24/7.
Speaking of cons, the only thing we could find was the huge fees associated with their course offering, averaging $13,000 per year. You can avail of a 10% discount if you have a sibling who is currently studying or has previously studied at this school.
4. North Star Academy
This is one of the online schools in California. Highly accredited by Cognia, ASCI, and NCAA, NorthStar Academy is a private Christian online school that offers a variety of courses, including a diploma program.
With courses covering over 200 courses and an average fee of $450 that can be further reduced by taking advantage of discounts, NorthStar Academy is a real contender for being one of the best online schools in California.
Courses are custom-designed and student-to-faculty ratios are kept to a minimum to ensure that all students receive the attention they deserve while maintaining professional decorum around the clock.
All online lectures and other course materials are uploaded to The School’s learning management system on a priority basis, allowing students to access them 24/7.
5. California Virtual Academies
California Virtual Academies is a complete ecosystem of nine high-quality charter schools. Founded in 2002, it is WASC accredited and offers customized learning materials for each student. It is one of the schools on the list of online high schools in California.
Offering over 90 courses, as well as an individualized learning plan for each student, ensures student success during high school and beyond.
Among the many positives, this school plays an active role in engaging parents by providing them with up-to-date information about their children’s progress so that it can be monitored in real time through their phones and tablets.
In addition, it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, thereby providing socialization and lobbying among students.
The best part is that it is FREE to attend, making it the most viable choice for students who want to access quality education without having to pay huge fees.
6. Redlands Electronic Academy
Redlands eAcademy is a WASC accredited online school offering individual courses to students with no tuition fees.
With a student to faculty ratio of 6:1, Redlands eAcademy is considered one of the best in-person and independent online learning schools. It is one of the schools on the list of average online schools in California.
The school uses Edgenuity as its technology partner to deliver these courses to students. Among the many benefits, the most notable is the functionality of families during the school process. Parents can monitor their children’s progress through the Edgenuity parent portal and provide feedback to help the school improvise its offerings.
7. High School Education
Part of the Learning Post Academy was founded in 1980; the school has been actively educating students for over 40 years. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the NCAA, the school offers a variety of courses to students and athletes from all over the world. It is listed among the online high schools in California.
This school’s unique offerings include:
- Flexible learning environment;
- Timely availability of lectures and other course materials;
- One-on-one teacher support;
- Online consultations; and
- Student financial aid.
If you want quality lessons and a bright future, then Learning Post Secondary School is the best choice for you.
8. Lead hybrid
Founded in 2015, ILead Hybrid serves many students around the world by providing a top-notch education . The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is focused on providing a student-centered learning platform. read Hybrid is a FREE public charter school where each family is assigned a certified facilitator who then customizes a learning plan for each family. It is one of the online schools in California.
Among the numerous advantages of the School, the following can be highlighted:
- Free learning platform accredited by WASC;
- Qualified and experienced teachers;
- timely availability of online course materials;
- Flexible high school options;
- Webinars for students and their families; and
- Free subscription to BrainPOP.
9. Garden view
Accredited by the NCAA, Orchard View has provided educational services to over 2,600 students in the past, while its Community Education has helped over 30,000 people in the community with education and community resources. This is another online school in California.
The school uses an unconventional way of teaching its students, minimizing the student to student ratio. It views each student as unique and therefore has a customized program designed to suit the niches of the respective students.
In addition, the student also meets regularly with a supervising teacher who works closely with their parents to discuss their progress and make changes to the curriculum if necessary.
Offers a wide range of courses at minimal fees, including social studies, English, mathematics, science, foreign language, fine and performing arts, practical arts, applied arts and technology.
10. IHigh Virtual Academy
IHigh Virtual Academy, an NCAA approved school, offers its students various online courses without tuition fees. It is the latest in the list of online schools in California. The school is a public high school that provides its students with the following benefits:
- Manage your work from home;
- 24/7 access to the curriculum and other course materials;
- Tracking progress;
- The ability to schedule training hours at a time convenient for you; and
- Access to test results in real time.
- All students are assigned an independent tutor who monitors the student’s progress and provides feedback on the student’s test results.
The only con associated with the School is the requirement to appear on the School campus for proctored midterm and final exams for each major subject.
This concludes the list of the best online schools in California. I will continue and answer frequently asked questions about online schools in California.
Online High Schools in California – Frequently Asked Questions
How much do online high schools cost in California?
There is no single answer to this question. Tuition varies depending on the online school.
How many online high schools are there in California?
There are 32 online schools in California. There are two types of online high schools in California: private online high schools and public online high schools.
1. Private online school
- Virtual School San Diego
- EPGY Online School
- Laurel Springs School
- Academy of Forest Paths
- Halstrom High School Online
- National University Virtual High School
- Orange Lutheran High School Online
- Global Village School
- Sycamore Academy
- Union High School
- North Star Academy
- Key School
- James Madison High School
- Excel High School
- Penn Foster High School
- K12 International Academy
- National Secondary School
- Apex Learning Virtual School
2. Public Online High School
- Sage Oak Charter Schools
- California Virtual Academies
- Best Online School 2000
- New Day Academy
- California School of Understanding
- 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
Can Adults Enroll in Online High Schools in California?
California provides online learning options for grades 9 through 12, with over 56,000 students currently enrolled in one or more online classes, as reported by the California Department of Education.
Adults in California can also enroll in online high schools to earn a diploma. Career Online High School (COHS) is a tuition-free program offering both a high school diploma and career certificate. It is accessible through the Los Angeles County Library system.
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