Arlington K-12 Online Home School
Where the nation governs. Where your family decides how your child learns.
Arlington County is home to the Pentagon, Amazon’s HQ2, and one of the most educated populations in Virginia. 77% of adults here hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Arlington Public Schools ranks #2 in the state. It is an excellent system by every measure, and it still does not fit every family. High School of America is an accredited, self-paced K-12 online home school for families who want academic rigor without the constraints of a fixed schedule, an overcrowded classroom, or a school assignment based on a ZIP code.
K-12 Courses for Arlington Students
Arlington families join thousands across Virginia through our Virginia K-12 Online Home School program. The accreditation, certified teachers, and enrollment support described there apply to Arlington students.
Every grade, kindergarten through 12th, is taught by certified teachers. The curriculum is self-paced. A student working ahead in math does not wait. A student who needs more time in reading gets it without stigma. Arlington families expect academic quality. HSOA delivers it with certified instructors, structured coursework, and a transcript that stands up anywhere.
Elementary (K-5)
Phonics-based reading, math foundations, science, social studies. Interactive lessons with certified teachers. Kindergarten | Elementary
Middle School (6-8)
Core subjects and exploratory electives. Self-paced progression builds momentum for high school. 6th | 7th | 8th Grade
Pentagon, Fort Myer, and Diplomatic Families
Arlington is a military and government hub. The Pentagon sits in the county. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall serves Army families. The Foreign Service Institute trains 50,000 enrollees annually from 40+ government agencies, many of whom rotate overseas with school-age children.
Military families homeschool at roughly twice the civilian rate. The reasons are practical: PCS moves every two to three years, deployment schedules that disrupt routines, and school systems that vary wildly in quality from one duty station to the next. An accredited online school eliminates the transfer problem entirely. Your student’s coursework, transcript, and graduation timeline stay intact no matter where orders take your family.
Diplomatic and Foreign Service families face the same disruption pattern. A posting from Arlington to Nairobi, Brussels, or Tokyo does not interrupt your student’s education when the school is online. The HSOA diploma is accredited and recognized as military Tier 1 for ROTC, service academy applications, and enlistment eligibility.
Mid-year enrollment is available any day of the year. Call (888) 242-4262 to discuss military or diplomatic family enrollment.
When an A-Plus District Still Does Not Fit
Arlington Public Schools is ranked #2 in Virginia. Math proficiency is 76%. Reading is 77%. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1. By almost every metric, APS is an excellent system. But excellence at the district level does not always translate to the right fit for an individual student.
APS middle schools are running at 99% capacity. Some classrooms exceed their rated seat count. The gifted and advanced academics program varies in delivery from school to school, which frustrates parents whose children qualify for services that are inconsistently available depending on their assigned building. And Arlington’s academic culture, shaped by one of the most highly educated populations in the country, can produce a pressure-cooker environment for students who need room to breathe.
Some Arlington families choose home education because their student learns faster than the classroom pace allows. Others choose it because their student needs a schedule that accommodates competitive athletics, performing arts, or early career exploration. Others work in roles with unpredictable hours (government contractors, policy professionals, tech workers at Amazon HQ2) and need a school that does not assume every parent is available for a 7:45 AM drop-off.
HSOA is not a rejection of APS. It is a recognition that one system cannot serve every learner. Accredited coursework, certified teachers, a formal transcript, and a diploma that meets full credit requirements provide a complete alternative for families who need flexibility without sacrificing rigor.
How to Homeschool in Arlington County
Virginia gives families two legal routes for home education, both available to Arlington residents.
Home Instruction (Section 22.1-254.1)
File a Notice of Intent with Arlington Public Schools by August 15 each year. The NOI names your child, states your qualification, and describes your curriculum. Enrolling in an accredited program like HSOA satisfies the curriculum requirement. Virginia requires 180 instruction days or 990 hours per year. By August 1 of the following year, submit evidence of academic progress: a standardized test (4th stanine or above) or a written evaluation from a qualified evaluator.
Religious Exemption (Section 22.1-254)
Virginia offers a full religious exemption from compulsory attendance. Write a letter to the chairman of the Arlington School Board. Once approved, no further obligations: no annual filings, no mandated curriculum, no testing. Families with a religious exemption who want an accredited transcript for college applications enroll in HSOA alongside the exemption.
Questions about the Arlington NOI process? Call (888) 242-4262.
An Alternative That Makes Financial Sense
The average private school tuition in Arlington is $18,284. DC-area independent schools commonly approach $40,000. High School of America has plans to fit any family’s budget, including discounts on pay-in-full enrollment. Accredited K-12 education with certified teachers, a formal transcript, and a diploma does not have to cost what Arlington private schools charge.
For families weighing private school, APS, or home education, the value calculation is straightforward. HSOA provides the academic rigor and credentialing of private school at a fraction of the cost, with the scheduling flexibility that neither private nor public school can match. Discuss your family’s situation with a counselor at (888) 242-4262.
College Pathways from Arlington
Arlington students have direct access to some of the strongest higher education options in the country, and an accredited HSOA diploma opens every one of them.
Virginia Universities
UVA, Virginia Tech, JMU, VCU, William and Mary, George Mason. All accept nationally accredited diplomas. The HSOA transcript includes course titles, grades, credits, and GPA.
DC-Area Institutions
Georgetown, George Washington, American University, Howard, and Catholic University are all within commuting distance of Arlington. An accredited online high school diploma gives your student the same application standing as any APS graduate.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
NOVA offers dual enrollment options for homeschool juniors and seniors. Starting college credits early saves time and money, especially for students planning to transfer to a four-year Virginia university through the guaranteed admissions program.
A Diploma That Holds Up Everywhere
High School of America is nationally accredited. The diploma and transcripts are accepted by Virginia colleges, DC-area universities, employers, and the military. The accredited transcript includes course titles, grades, credits, and GPA. Military-connected students benefit from Tier 1 recognition for ROTC, service academy applications, and enlistment eligibility. Virginia does not issue diplomas for homeschoolers. An accredited HSOA diploma fills that gap.
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Arlington Home School: Frequently Asked Questions
Is HSOA accredited for Arlington students?
Yes. HSOA is nationally accredited. The diploma and transcripts are recognized by Virginia colleges, DC-area universities, employers, and the military. Enrolling in an accredited program satisfies Virginia’s Home Instruction curriculum requirement.
Can Pentagon and military families use HSOA during a PCS?
Yes. A PCS from Arlington to any duty station worldwide does not interrupt coursework. The transcript and graduation timeline stay intact. Mid-year enrollment is available any day of the year.
How does HSOA compare to APS academically?
HSOA provides accredited K-12 coursework taught by certified teachers with a structured curriculum, formal transcript, and nationally recognized diploma. The key difference is flexibility: self-paced scheduling, year-round enrollment, and the ability to learn from anywhere. APS is an excellent district. HSOA is an excellent alternative for families who need a different structure.
Is HSOA cheaper than Arlington private schools?
HSOA has plans to fit any family’s budget, including discounts on pay-in-full enrollment. The average Arlington private school tuition is $18,284, and DC-area independents approach $40,000. Call (888) 242-4262 to discuss pricing.
Does my student take Virginia SOL tests?
No. SOL tests are for public school students only. Home-instructed students show evidence of progress through a standardized test (4th stanine or above) or a portfolio evaluation. HSOA coursework and transcripts serve as evidence.
Can HSOA students do dual enrollment at NOVA?
Yes. Northern Virginia Community College offers dual enrollment for homeschool juniors and seniors. HSOA students can begin earning college credits before finishing high school.
Can Arlington homeschoolers play APS sports?
Virginia’s VHSL requires enrollment in at least five courses at a participating school for athletic eligibility. Homeschooled students typically participate through community leagues, club teams, and homeschool co-op athletic programs.
Is HSOA self-paced?
Yes. Students log in and complete coursework on their own schedule. No mandatory live sessions. No bell schedule. Year-round enrollment means you can start any day of the year.
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5
Parent, alumni, and staff reviews on
“I enrolled in the High School of America after not enjoying the traditional high school experience. I searched for a good online option, and the High School of America was the first one that seemed worth my time/money. With a reasonable, self-paced curriculum, I was able to earn my diploma. I am now pursuing higher education, and the staff at High School of America has been instrumental in helping me throughout this process. If you struggle with anxiety, this is a perfect school for you.”
“Our experience with High School of America has been truly transformative. We were looking for an alternative to the rigid schedule of traditional schools, and HSOA delivered on the ‘Anywhere, Anytime’ promise perfectly.”
Your Arlington Education Starts Here
Accredited. Self-paced. Year-round. Kindergarten through 12th grade. One school that works whether you live in Rosslyn, Ballston, Crystal City, or Cherrydale.
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