K-12 · Online Home School
K-12 Online Home School
An accredited private school covering every grade, kindergarten through 12th. Qualified teachers instruct and grade every course. A counselor holds the student’s record from day one. The school issues official transcripts.
No fixed schedule. No district calendar. Enrollment opens every month, at every grade level.
All grades,
one school
Self-paced,
online
Days a year
to enroll
Counselor call
to get started
What this is
One school, every grade: what an online home school program includes
Families searching for online homeschool programs quickly find two structurally different things. A curriculum kit (a co-op program, a publisher-packaged set of materials, or a parent-selected course bundle) delivers content but does not employ teachers. The parent remains the teacher of record. The student’s record is whatever the parent documents it to be.
An accredited online K-12 school is a different structure. The National Center for Education Statistics defines home-schooled students as those receiving instruction at home rather than in a public or private school. The legal standing of that record depends on whether a recognized school administers it. At High School of America, qualified teachers instruct and grade every course. A counselor tracks the student’s progress from enrollment forward. The school maintains its own registrar and issues official transcripts.
This is a self-paced homeschool program: students work at a speed that fits their schedule, not a district calendar. It spans all 12 years because a counselor relationship that begins at kindergarten creates a connected academic record through every grade. Elementary years build structured learning habits with a qualified teacher. Middle school deepens the foundation. The years connect rather than starting over with each transition.
Families researching what a K-12 homeschool program or k12 online school actually provides (teacher accountability, official records, counselor oversight) will find the complete getting-started guide covers the distinction in full.
What enrollment includes
A quick hello
A real counselor. No pressure, five minutes.
Grades K through 5
Kindergarten through 5th grade: the foundation years at home
The early grades are where learning habits form. A kindergarten homeschooling program built around a qualified teacher, rather than a parent working through a curriculum kit alone, gives students structured lessons, real feedback, and a pace calibrated to how they actually absorb material.
Elementary years cover reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies across all five grade levels, with each year building on the last. A counselor tracks the record from day one, so nothing falls through the gap when the student reaches middle school.
Structured first year: reading, math, science, and social studies
1st GradeBuilding on kindergarten: phonics, addition, writing
2nd GradeExpanding fluency in reading and number sense
3rd GradeMultiplication, chapter books, and foundational science
4th GradeFractions, writing paragraphs, state history and geography
5th GradePre-middle preparation: decimals, essays, and lab science intro
Grades 6 through 8
Middle school online homeschool: grades 6, 7, and 8
Middle school is when structure matters most and when it most often breaks down in a traditional setting. The years between 5th and 9th grade are the ones where a mismatch between environment and learner (a crowded hallway, a rigid period schedule, a classroom that moves at the slowest common pace) does real academic damage.
An online middle school homeschool program keeps the structure without the building. Qualified teachers assign, grade, and return feedback on every assignment. A counselor tracks the pace toward the high school years.
The online homeschool courses for middle school run in three tracks: 6th grade introduces pre-algebra, ancient world history, and the essay format. 7th grade deepens all four core subjects. 8th grade completes the sequence and prepares the foundation the 9th grade year builds on.
Families comparing homeschool classes online for the middle grades typically find the key difference at every level is the same: whether a qualified teacher or the parent is responsible for instruction and grading.
Families comparing a public virtual school versus an independent online school for the middle grades typically find the key difference is the same one at every level: whether a qualified teacher or the parent is responsible for instruction and grading.
What the middle school years build
Pre-algebra through Algebra
Math track that runs into high school without a gap
World and American history
Social studies sequence aligned to the high school track
Lab science foundations
Earth science and life science before high school Biology
Composition and literature
Writing development that makes high school English manageable
World language introduction
Language electives that count toward high school credit hours
Counselor progression check
Annual review confirms readiness for the 9th grade sequence
8th grade completion certificate
Formal school-issued document at the end of 8th grade, plus a cumulative transcript of all completed courses
NEXT STEP
Starting at the middle school level?
A counselor reviews any prior grades and maps the student into the right sequence before the first lesson. No placement test required.
Grades 9 through 12
Online home school high school: four years toward a diploma
High school is where the program’s credential matters most. The four years from 9th through 12th build a transcript that colleges, employers, the military, and the NCAA Eligibility Center read the same way they read any accredited school’s.
A counselor maps the student’s entering credit count on day one. Students who transfer in with credits from a previous school start where they actually are, not at the beginning of a fresh four-year sequence. See the full grade-by-grade breakdown for the complete course sequence.
Foundation Year
- English I
- Algebra I
- Earth or Life Science
- World History
- Elective
Build Year
- English II
- Geometry
- Biology
- World Cultures
- Elective
GPA Year
- English III
- Algebra II
- US History
- Honors elective
- Foreign language
Launch Year
- English IV
- Math or Science elective
- Economics
- Government
- Senior elective
Entry at any grade, any month. Credits from previous schools map to this track before the first lesson.
NEXT STEP
Ready to map your student’s high school path?
A counselor reviews any prior transcripts and builds a graduation plan that accounts for every credit already earned.
The credential
School-issued diploma: what homeschool high school graduates receive
The diploma issued to program graduates comes from the school’s own registrar, with the school’s name on it, and the same standing as any accredited independent school credential. It is not a parent-certified completion document. It is not a test-equivalency credential.
Colleges that accept diplomas from accredited independent schools accept this one. The NCAA Eligibility Center processes transcripts through the same channel it uses for campus schools. Military branches asking for diploma verification receive the school’s CEEB code and the official transcript.
For families who want to see what the transcript looks like before committing, a counselor can walk through a sample on the first call.
The diploma path starts at 9th grade. Students who enter at kindergarten and stay through 12th graduate with a transcript that shows their full K–12 record in one document.
What the diploma and transcript include
Ready to see the transcript?
A counselor walks through a sample document on the first call. No commitment required.
Schedule the call →A national picture
How many families have chosen home school, and why it keeps growing
The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics and Johns Hopkins Homeschool Hub track enrollment annually. The numbers have grown every year since 2012. The families driving that growth are not a monolithic group: athletes whose training schedules cannot bend to a district calendar, students whose learning differences were never well-served by a 30-person classroom, families who relocated mid-year, and parents who chose a structured program after seeing the difference teacher accountability makes.
The states with the largest home school populations (California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida) account for over 900,000 students. Requirements vary by state, which is why the program’s counselors walk every family through the specific filing steps on the first call.
Eagle Pro Tip
The record is the most important thing to get right from day one
A home school student’s transcript is only as credible as who issued it. A parent-compiled record depends on the parent’s credibility alone. A school-issued transcript comes with a registrar number, a College Board CEEB code, and the name of a recognized institution. That distinction matters when a student applies to college, seeks employment, or needs their record years later. Starting with a program that maintains the transcript from day one means nothing has to be reconstructed or explained after the fact.
Getting started
How to start homeschooling your child online: five steps
Families researching how to start homeschooling for the first time typically have two concerns: the paperwork and the teaching. The paperwork is simpler than it looks. The teaching is already handled: that is what the school does.
Most families complete enrollment within a week of the first counselor call. The transition from a traditional school follows the same sequence regardless of the grade level or state. Enrollment is open every month, including for families looking for a summer homeschool program to start in June, July, or August.
15-minute counselor call
No paperwork, no commitment. The counselor asks about the student’s grade, current situation, and what the family needs.
Send any prior records
The counselor maps existing credits or grade-level progress against the program’s sequence.
File the state notice
The counselor walks the family through the specific step for their state. Most complete it in under 15 minutes.
Enrollment confirmed
Log-in credentials issued. The student’s course sequence is set and ready.
First lesson begins
The counselor checks in at the 30-day mark to confirm the pace is working.
Parent perspectives
What K-12 families say
Every family arrives at this decision differently. These four represent the range of situations the program was built for: not a perfect household with a perfect plan, but real families making a practical choice for their child.
“My daughter was reading two grade levels ahead and the school wanted to slow her down to match the class. Here she moves at her own pace. She finished two full grade levels in one year.”
Parent of a 3rd grader
“The social environment in middle school was destroying him. A year into this program he is calmer, more confident, and actually looks forward to his coursework.”
Parent of a 7th grader
“She trains with a national gymnastics program six mornings a week. There is no way she could do that and maintain a traditional school schedule. This program made both possible.”
Parent of an 11th grader
“We moved in January. Waiting until September was not an option. We enrolled in February and haven’t looked back. They accepted his credits from the previous school and he started immediately.”
Parent of a 9th grader
NEXT STEP
See if this is the right fit for your family
A 15-minute call is all it takes. No pressure, no commitment. Just a clear answer about whether the program works for your student’s situation.
Common questions answered
Online home school: what families get wrong before they call
Most families arrive at this decision with at least one concern that turns out not to be the obstacle they thought it was. The four below come up in every enrollment conversation. For families narrowing down the best online homeschool options, these are the questions worth resolving first.
Resources
Homeschool resources and guides: start here
The guides below answer the most common questions families bring to the enrollment conversation. Reading one or two before the first counselor call tends to make that call more productive.
Still have questions?
A counselor answers any question about the program, state process, or diploma in 15 minutes.
Talk to the eagle →How to start homeschooling →
Step-by-step guide for families new to home school
Homeschool laws by state →
Every state’s requirements in plain language
Homeschool transcript guide →
What colleges look for, how private school transcripts are read
Online school vs. homeschool vs. public school →
A side-by-side look at what each option actually provides
Transferring to home school →
When you can switch, how credits move, and what to file
Online homeschool vs. public virtual school →
The structural differences between an independent school and a district program
Most and least home school-friendly states →
A ranking of state regulatory climates for home school families
Accelerated K-12 completion →
Finish a full K-12 sequence on a faster timeline
NEXT STEP
Questions? One call answers them all.
Counselors cover the grade level, state filing steps, prior credit transfer, and what the first week looks like, all in 15 minutes.
FAQ
K-12 online home school: frequently asked questions
Can my child start online home school in the middle of the school year?
Yes. The school enrolls students every month of the year, at every grade level. There is no September start requirement and no waiting period. A counselor confirms the entry grade and maps any prior records before the first lesson begins.
Do I need to teach my child if they are in an online home school program?
No. The school employs qualified teachers who instruct and grade every course. Parents do not design the curriculum, deliver the lessons, or grade the assignments. The parent’s role is to support the student’s schedule and stay in contact with the assigned counselor.
Will my child’s diploma be recognized by colleges?
Yes. The school-issued diploma carries a College Board CEEB code that college admissions offices, the NCAA Eligibility Center, and military branches can verify. It is a private school credential issued by the school’s registrar, the same standing as a diploma from any campus private school.
What are the home school requirements in my state?
Requirements vary by state. Some require a notice of intent filed with the local district. Others have annual assessment requirements. A few states have no filing requirement at all. A counselor covers the specific steps for your state on the first enrollment call. The complete guide is at homeschool-laws-by-state.
Can a student transfer into the program with credits from a previous school?
Yes. Existing credits from an accredited or recognized school transfer in. A counselor reviews the transcript, maps the credits to the program’s graduation requirements, and confirms what remains before the first lesson. No earned credit is discarded without review.
Is there a difference between online home school and a public virtual school?
Yes. A public virtual school is a district program that operates under public school rules, uses the district calendar, and requires enrollment in the local school system. This is an independent private school: no district enrollment is required, no district calendar applies, and the credential is a private school diploma rather than a public school one.
At what age can a child start the program?
The program begins at kindergarten. There are no minimum age requirements beyond what is typical for the grade level; kindergarten-age students are the youngest enrolled. A counselor confirms the appropriate entry point on the first call.
What does a typical school day look like for an online homeschool class?
The program is self-paced, so there is no fixed school day. Students log in when their schedule allows, work through an online homeschool class built by a qualified teacher, submit assignments, and receive graded feedback. Most students complete coursework in 3–5 hours per day depending on the grade level and pace. What a school day looks like for K-5 students differs from the middle and high school years.
NEXT STEP
Your state’s filing process, handled on the first call
A counselor covers the exact steps for your state. Most families complete them in under 15 minutes. No guesswork, no paperwork surprises.
State programs
K-12 online home school by state: select yours
Home school requirements differ by state. Some states require a notice of intent with the local district. Others have no filing requirement at all. Our state-by-state guide covers the legal landscape for every state we serve.
Families comparing online schools for homeschooling by state often find that the school’s structure matters more than the state rules: an independent virtual homeschool program operates under the same credential framework regardless of which state the student lives in. A counselor walks every enrolling family through their state’s specific process on the first call.
Texas
~6.3% of K-12 students, one of the most family-friendly home school climates
North Carolina
165,000+ students. Notice of Intent required; counselor handles it
California
547,000 students, largest home school population in the nation
Florida
~156,000 students. Annual evaluation required; program satisfies it
Arizona
5.7% of K-12 students, among the lowest-regulation home school states
Georgia
~85,000 students. Submit annual declaration; counselor walks you through
Ohio
~5.7% of K-12 students, notification required, no curriculum mandate
Pennsylvania
~42,000 students. Annual portfolio evaluation; program maintains the record
New York
Quarterly reporting required, one of the more structured home school states
Illinois
~4.9% of K-12 students, minimal filing requirements
Virginia
Annual notice of intent to the division superintendent
Michigan
No state notification required, among the most permissive climates
Washington
Annual declaration of intent required
Tennessee
Register with a church-related school or the LEA
Colorado
Notice of intent in the first year; approved by the local district
All states →
Find state-specific requirements and enrollment steps
Start today
Start with a 15-minute call, no paperwork, no commitment
A counselor covers the student’s grade level, any prior records, the state-specific steps for your location, and what the first month looks like. Most families leave the call with a clear plan in hand.