Private School · Self-Paced · Grades 9-12 & Adults
Lorain Online High School
A school-issued diploma path for families across Lorain and Lorain County, from Elyria and Avon Lake to Oberlin and North Ridgeville.
Your Options
Lorain students have three paths. Here’s how they compare.
Most families weighing online high school land in one of these three lanes. The right answer depends on schedule, credential needs, and how often the family moves.
All three are legitimate paths. HSOA fits families who want the structure and credential of school without the bell schedule or the homeschool paperwork. Learn how the diploma works →
Ready When You Are
Year-round enrollment. Start the week you sign up.
No semester wait. Counselors review prior credits within 48 hours and a full graduation plan goes out the same week.
Start Enrollment →The Program
What to expect from our online high school
An online high school diploma is an excellent way for students to continue their education on their own schedule. Our program offers more freedom than traditional schools, with full-time instructors available to assist throughout the week.
Colleges like Ohio State University and Cleveland State University, as well as employers nationwide, accept our graduates. With a diploma from High School of America, your student will be ready for the workforce or higher education.
Our program supports diverse learners, including those with special needs, offering accommodations so every student can succeed.
The Credential
What makes a diploma official?
A school-issued diploma carries three things a homeschool credential cannot: an official transcript with a school address, a CEEB code registered with College Board, and a verifiable institutional record. Admissions offices and employers request these for background checks, military enlistment, and college applications.
High School of America is an established private school. Graduates receive a school-issued diploma and a permanent transcript we can send on their behalf, any time after graduation.
The Diploma Path
How to earn a high school diploma online
When you graduate, you’ll receive a school-issued high school diploma, preparing you for college and employment across Ohio and beyond. We provide an online diploma program supported by educators. Our program is convenient and self-paced.
Whether you’re in Elyria, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Amherst, High School of America offers a flexible, structured program that adapts to your schedule and lifestyle.
Five Steps
Grade Levels & Courses
Lorain online high school grade levels and classes
Choose your grade and see what’s covered. Every course is delivered self-paced with academic support, and each course counts toward the High School of America diploma.
- English 1
- Algebra 1
- Biology
- World History
- Health & PE
- English 2
- Geometry
- Chemistry
- World Geography
- World Language
- English 3
- Algebra 2
- Physics
- U.S. History
- Honors / AP options
- English 4
- Pre-Calculus
- Government & Economics
- Senior elective
- Capstone / dual-credit
Your Next Step
Pick a path. Start this week.
Or call (888) 242-4262 · Mon–Fri 8 AM – 6 PM ET
Accelerated Tracks
Early graduation high school programs
There are several early graduation paths available. Students choose the program that best suits their goals and timeline.
The College Preparatory Program
Standard college-prep coursework structured for students aiming at four-year admission, with full transcript portability.
The Honors Program
Rigorous honors coursework across core subjects. Recognized on the transcript and weighted in college applications.
The Adult Diploma Program
Flexible fast-track path for adults who need a school-issued diploma for employment, licensing, or personal goals.
The Early College Program
Concurrent pathways for students pursuing college credit alongside the high school diploma.
Pro Tip from the Eagle
Lorain families: no deadline to enroll, no waiting until fall.
Some families contact us in February or March — months after the traditional September start — looking for an option that will not make their student wait until next fall. HSOA enrolls year-round, every week of the year. The student begins coursework as soon as enrollment is processed, picks up credit immediately, and is counted toward a graduation date that fits the family’s timeline.
— The Eagle, HSOA
How Students Learn
Learn your way: courses, tutoring, and virtual labs
E-Books & Digital Coursework
Access our digital library via the LMS from any device. Study at your pace, whether you’re near Lakeview Park Beach or the Black River Landing in downtown Lorain.
Virtual Classrooms
Join live sessions with teachers for instant feedback and collaboration, ideal for interactive learners.
Virtual Labs
Experiment with virtual labs, like studying Lake Erie nearshore ecology and the Black River watershed, prepping for STEM or college.
Peer Learning Networks
Connect with peers through group projects and discussions, building a community of learners.
1:1 Tutoring
Get personalized tutoring tailored to your needs, helping you excel in any subject.
Quick Answer
Do Lorain families need to file a homeschool notification to switch to online high school?
No. Ohio’s ORC §3321.042 notification requirement applies to parents providing home-based instruction directly. Whether a district treats enrollment in an online private school as school attendance or as home education varies, so confirm with your district before withdrawing. Families who homeschool under Ohio’s rules notify the district superintendent.
If the student is currently enrolled in Lorain City School District, Elyria City Schools, Avon Lake City Schools, or Oberlin City Schools, the family withdraws there and we handle the records request. The student is in coursework within the week.
100% Online
Completely online
High School of America is fully online. Earn your diploma from anywhere with just a computer and internet. No textbooks, no classroom commute. It’s a self-paced online high school.
Tuition & Cost
What does online high school cost?
HSOA tuition is straightforward: no hidden fees, no mandatory materials purchases, and no surprise charges. The program is designed to be accessible for Ohio families, and payment plans are available. Tuition covers all coursework, teacher support, and the official transcript and diploma.
Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Families can also request a counselor call to walk through tuition details, payment plans, and what credits from prior schooling can apply toward graduation.
For a full breakdown, visit the HSOA tuition page.
Where the Diploma Goes
Where the diploma takes Lorain graduates
A school-issued diploma reads the same to admissions offices and employers whether it was issued in person or online. Graduates from established online programs apply to Lorain County Community College, Oberlin College, Baldwin Wallace University, and Lakeland Community College. Career-tech and dual-enrollment pathways are well established; honors and AP coursework appear on the transcript the same as a brick-and-mortar transcript.
For students whose plans take them out of state, common for families connected to the Lorain manufacturing corridor and for those transitioning between industrial careers, the CEEB code is registered, the diploma is recognized, and the records are verifiable. That portability is the practical difference between a homeschool credential and a school-issued one.
Statewide Coverage
Online high school across Ohio
High School of America serves students statewide. Visit the Ohio program hub, or find online high school options in a city near you.
What Families Say
Lorain Online High School Reviews
“My son was getting lost in Lorain City School District classes. Within a month of switching to HSOA he was two units ahead. The self-paced format made all the difference.”
Renee T. — Elyria, OH
“I enrolled in the Adult Diploma Program and had my diploma in about fourteen months. The counselors walked me through every step and the credits transferred to Lorain County Community College no problem.”
Marcus D. — Lorain, OH
“We moved from Elyria to Avon Lake mid-semester and enrollment at the new school was a mess. HSOA had my child’s credits reviewed and a plan ready the same week we called. No lost credits, no missed semester.”
Kevin & Lisa F. — Avon Lake, OH
Common Questions
Lorain Online High School FAQs
Does Lorain have online high schools?
Lorain families have access to online private high schools like High School of America that operate independently of the local district calendar. HSOA serves students across Lorain and Lorain County — every zip code, every suburb.
What are Ohio’s requirements for online high school?
Ohio requires students ages 6–18 to satisfy the compulsory attendance law (ORC §3321.03). Enrolling in HSOA as a private school satisfies that directly. There are no additional state filing requirements specific to our program.
Do I need to notify Lorain City School District when switching to HSOA?
No. When you enroll in HSOA you are enrolling in a private school. Whether a district treats enrollment in an online private school as school attendance or as home education varies, so confirm with your district before withdrawing. Families who homeschool in Ohio notify the district superintendent.
How long does it take to earn a diploma online?
Most students complete in 2–4 years at a standard pace. The Adult Fast Path can be completed in as little as 12–18 months for adults who already have some high school credits. Self-paced enrollment means you move as fast or as slowly as your schedule allows.
Can adults enroll in HSOA?
Yes. The Adult Diploma Program is open to anyone 18 or older who has not yet earned a high school diploma. Many Lorain-area adults use the program to qualify for a job promotion, a trade license, or entry into a community college. There is no upper age limit.
Is the HSOA diploma recognized by colleges and employers?
HSOA issues a school-issued diploma backed by a permanent transcript. Graduates have used it for admission to Lorain County Community College and for employment with major Lorain-area employers including Mercy Health–Lorain and others.
What does online high school cost in Lorain?
HSOA is a tuition-based private school with no hidden fees. Payment plans are available. Call (888) 242-4262 for current pricing, or visit the tuition page.