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Online schools became popular among students. Each online school has its own unique features. We’ll discuss accredited online schools to help parents and students choose the best option for them.
Accredited online schools meet specific quality standards through an official review process. We’ll explain what accreditation means and answer key questions from parents and students about these schools.
What is Accreditation?
“Accreditation empowers tomorrow and shapes the future by underpinning confidence in the implementation and use of new technologies through compliance with international and national standards of best practise”
Jennifer Evans, JASANZ
Accreditation is a process evaluating a school to ensure it meets established quality standards. Accreditation confirms the school offers educational programs in line with government or recognized organization requirements. Accreditation evaluations are conducted by organizations like Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Why Choose an Accredited Online School?
Accredited online schools offer students all the benefits of K-12 online education. E-learning reduces learning time by 40% to 60% compared to traditional classroom settings, according to a report by Brighter Strides. We covered this in more detail in the article “Unveiling the Benefits of K-12 Online Education“.
Accredited schools provide students with education and diplomas widely recognized. This is important if students apply to college, seek financial aid, transfer schools, or enter the workforce. Students need an accredited education and diploma in most cases.
Disadvantages of Accredited Online School
Accreditation brings only benefits to the school. Accredited schools have downsides because online education isn’t perfect. We explored seven disadvantages of online education in the article “K-12 Online Schools: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges”. We offered tips for parents and students on how to tackle these challenges to make online education enjoyable and effective.
How Do Accredited Online Schools Work?
The work of accredited online schools is similar to traditional schools but has its own specifics. We will explain five processes parents tend to ask about accredited online schools most frequently.
How to Enroll in an Online School?
The enrollment process is a series of steps students need to follow to be admitted to a school. We outlined this process in detail in the article “How to Enroll in K-12 Online School”.
How to Get Financial Aid and Scholarships?
Different schools and organizations have various requirements for students applying for financial aid and scholarships. Here are some of the most common requirements:
- Be enrolled in an accredited program
- Demonstrate financial need
- Meet academic and Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements for scholarships
Parents and students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal loans, grants, and scholarships. Parents and students following these steps to secure scholarship from schools:
- Visit the online school’s website to check for accreditation. Legacy Online School is accredited, and you can confirm this by using this link.
- Check the school’s website to see information about scholarships. You can find information about our school’s scholarships at this link.
- Use platforms like Scholarships.com to find additional scholarships’ opportunities.
How Do Online Classes Work?
Online classes in accredited online schools work similarly to traditional classes. Accredited online schools have specifics related to online learning. Parents and students keep this information in mind about online education:
- Students log in to a digital platform to access classes, assignments, and other resources.
- Students complete lessons at their own pace, though deadlines are set for major assignments and exams.
- Communication happens through email, forums, or live video sessions.
- Quizzes, exams, and projects are completed virtually, often with proctoring tools.
For more specifics about online classes, check the school’s program details and policies.
How to Get Support from the Accredited Online School?
Accredited online schools offer a range of support services:
- Access to counselors, academic advisors, and tutors to help with coursework, time management, and overall performance
- Dedicated help desks to resolve issues with the platform, login problems, and accessing course materials
Parents and students request help from an accredited online school by:
- Contacting the school’s support team via email, phone, or live chat
- Using the online portal to submit requests for academic or technical assistance
- Scheduling meetings with teachers or advisors for personalized guidance
How to Transfer from One Online School to Another?
Transferring schools requires careful planning to ensure smooth credit transfer and avoid delays. Parents and students follow these steps to transfer from one school to another:
- Ensure both the current and new schools are accredited to transfer credits without issues.
- Check the new school’s transfer requirements and deadlines.
- Contact your current school to send official transcripts to the new institution.
- Ask the new school which credits will be accepted and what additional coursework may be required.
- Complete enrollment at the new school.
Legacy Online School provides assistance during the transfer process by reviewing transcripts to ensure credits are properly evaluated and transferred. Contact us for more information about the process.
Useful Resources
Below are helpful resources for navigating online education, including enrollment, accreditation, and support services.
Legacy Online School
- Accreditation Details
- Curriculum Overview
- Enrollment Information
- Technical Support Services
- FAQs for Parents
K-12 Online School Selection
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) School Search
- K12.com Online School Finder
- GreatSchools School Comparison Tool
- SchoolFinder
- Niche
Accreditation Check
- Accredited Online Schools by U.S. Department of Education
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Middle States Association Accreditation Search
- Cognia Accreditation Check
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
Conclusion
Accredited online schools help students succeed by providing diplomas recognized in countries like the U.S. and beyond. We’ve answered common questions parents and students have about accredited online schools to make the process easier for them.
