Just like popularizing the practice of working from home, online high schools are also getting more popular in recent times.
Statistics show that there are almost 4.5 million K – 12 students who are currently pursuing online education. While compared with the traditional high school experience, the benefits that are offered by online education weigh more.
The new method is a great help to the students as they will not have not to endure different difficulties like the daily commute to school or other serious issues like bullying.
Just like helping the student to thrive and study in a tension-free atmosphere, online education also gives them a chance to work directly with technology, a skill that is compulsory to keep up in the modern age, and also provides students with access to study materials all the time.
While a teacher manages a large group of children in a classroom, it will be much easier for them to manage students online and it is sure that they will receive one on one attention from their teachers too.
Nowadays, more and more states are offering courses to students and are encouraging students who cannot attend a brick-and-mortar school due to different issues.
So as the education system keeps growing, we can expect to see more and more online schools for students with all the courses and opportunities offered by the traditional school in a very short time.
So, if you are looking for a perfect high school to enroll in, here is our pick for the top 12 best online schools in California for 2023.
List Of Top 12 Best Online Schools In California – 2023
- Stanford Online High School
- Laurel Springs School
- Learning Post High School
- Orchard View School
- California Connections Academy Southern California
- California Preparatory Academy
- Redlands eAcademy
- Elite Academic Academy – Mountain Empire
- Tustin Connect
- California Pacific Charter Schools – San Diego
- Community Collaborative Virtual – Sage Oak Charter School
- International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA)
12. International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA)
We have the International Virtual Learning Academy at the 12th position on our list of the top 12 best online schools in California.
The official website of the International Virtual Learning Academy welcomes its potential students through a very simple but powerful quote that says ‘build your school schedule around your life, not your life around your school schedule.’
This simple sentence almost sums up the motive and idea behind the popular online schools in the country today. While the concept of online schools and online education is relatively new to most of us, the International Virtual Learning Academy argues otherwise.
According to the statement available on its official website, the International Virtual Learning Academy was established in 2007.
The history of IVLA suggests that the online learning platform was the idea of a mother who was not satisfied with available online schools.
It was during the early 2000s and the drive to give her kids the best education available was the motive that gave rise to IVLA. Currently, Kasn Nair serves as the CEO of the institution. He had been serving as the CEO since March 2022.
Students can join the International Virtual Learning Academy at any time of the year. The students are welcome from anywhere, to take up any course and at any time of the year.
Online schools do not follow the traditional practices of schools where you lose an academic year if you are transferred this year. But IVLA accepts a student who is transferring mid-year. The student can resume thor class within two to three days of their transfer.
The school is also very successful in all of its operations. A large number of students who have completed their education with IVLA have been admitted to different reputed universities over the years and the institution is continuing its success ride even today.
The school also offers its students different wide opportunities through collaborations with other organizations.
Enrollment at IVLA can be completed through three simple steps on their official website. The institute also offers different payment plans for students who enroll with them and special considerations are given to military families and families that enroll more than one kid at IVLA.
11. Community Collaborative Virtual – Sage Oak Charter School
Community Collaborative Virtual – Sage Oak Charter School is one of the top-rated public charter schools that are located in Redlands, California. The school has a total strength of around 2,648 students and the school currently admits all students who come between K – 12.
The school is known for the level of education provided for the students and the reason why it is placed at 11th position on our list of the top 12 best online schools in California.
According to the reports from the schools, around 34% of the students of the schools have scored at or above the proficiency level in mathematics and around 48% of students have scored above the proficiency level in English.
The school is accessible to any students who are currently attending K-12. The schools do not put forward any kind of discrimination against their students and only try to save the students who become subjects to such practices.
The number of minority students is also considered at the school. The enrollment rate of minority students at the school is almost 55%. The student/teacher ratio of the school is 24.
As mentioned earlier, the school does not discriminate against its students on any basis. The school also considered the need for education for economically weaker students who find it difficult to afford education. The strength of economically walker students of the school is 33%.
The total strength of the school comprises 51% female students and 49% male students. There are also 109 full-time teachers at the school.
The Community Collaborative Virtual – Sage Oak Charter was placed at #3480 on the ranking list of statewide elementary schools in the state of California.
10. California Pacific Charter Schools – San Diego
The California Pacific Charter School is not just a school for the students but is a school where the parents are also equally involved. The system of the California Pacific Charter School works well with the schedule of a student’s life rather than the students forcing their life around the school’s schedule.
The schools offer education to students who are studying in any class between TK-12.
The official website of the school clearly mentions that the curriculum of the schools is so much different from the hastily formed syllabus of the schools that opted for online classes during the pandemic.
One of the major specialties of the school is that the facilities employed at the school are specially trained to lead classes in an online environment. So enrolling a child at the California Pacific Charter School will guarantee the parents that their child is in safe and experienced hands that know how to handle online classes.
The very flexible schedule of the schools allows the student and their parents to take up the activities of the school aligned with the extracurricular work that they are carrying out. As mentioned earlier, the parents of the students are more than welcome at the school and are expected to encourage and guide the students.
The system of learning at California Pacific Charter Schools comes mainly through assignments. Students receive a new set of assignments each week. Almost every procedure of the school takes place online. The students are not expected to keep notebooks for their schoolwork.
The material needed for the students is available to them 24/7 which gives them the privilege to submit their work anytime during their school week. The teachers are also available on regular working hours on any working day.
The students that have completed their education at the California Pacific Charter schools have received admission to other prestigious institutions for their higher studies, while some have stepped directly into their careers.
9. Tustin Connect
Tustin Connect is an award-winning online school that offers education to students from K -12. The institution is a mixture of the best elements of school from both modes – Online and traditional.
Tustin Connect is a part of the Tustin Unified School District and one of the most important features of the school is that it is a tuition-free public school. The school is open for all K – 12 students that belong to Orange County, California.
The Tustin Connect offers education to students at all different levels including elementary school, middle school, and high school. Just like all the online schools, the schedule of Tustin Connect is also very flexible to accommodate the needs and other activities of the students.
The schools also use the most modern tools and other technologies to provide education to their students. Also, along with all the facilities, Tustin Connect does not levy any kind of tuition fee on their students.
The major system of education at Tustin Connect revolves around the system of assignments. The teachers of Tustin Connects provide the students with a new set of assignments each week that they can complete by being at home.
It is mandatory for every student to complete the assignments within the week to stay enrolled at Tustin Connect. Just like their assignments, it is also mandatory for the students to check in with their teachers once a week and also to discuss their progress on work, and also to work on their schedule for the week.
Tustin Connect is very much successful in keeping up with its education system and there is no doubt in saying that it has given the students a very good opportunity to learn and to reach heights in their future.
8. Elite Academic Academy – Mountain Empire
The Elite Academic Academy is an academy that prioritizes the education; needs of the students by combining the best from both online and offline methods. There are mainly three types of education pattern that is provided by the academy. The first one is the Homeschool Academy.
This system is designed for students and parents who have the facility to attend and study from their own homes. In this system, the parents are also involved along with the teachers in helping the kids with their lessons, assignments, and other work.
Each student is handled by a qualified and eligible tutor who is approved by the state. This system can be made used by any student who falls in the category of K – 12.
The second system of schooling offered by Elite Academic Academy is the Virtual Academy.
This system of schooling is mainly aimed at students who are between 6 – 12. The Elite Virtual academy mainly targets self-motivated students who find it cognizable and easy to work independently.
Choosing this method for their education gives the student 100% authority over their online course and the time and place for their studying.
The student who completely worlds on their schedule and timing is supported accordingly by the qualified tutor from Elite Academic Academy.
The last and final mode is the Flex Academy. This system makes use of both online and offline qualities of an education system. This system is made available for students of grades TK – 8.
The students can design and customize their educational schedules accordingly. They also have the provision to meet with their tutor in person if needed. This can usually happen at an Elite academy field trip or at a pre-approved public place.
Just like a traditional high school, the academy is also concerned about the extracurricular activities that its students take part in, The academy also provides its students with different opportunities to take up different extracurricular or career/vocational interests.
The Elite Academic Academy has been deemed one of the best choices for students who require individual;l learning, that needs a flexible schedule, who prefer to learn from the safety of their own homes, or even students who live far away from their homes.
The excellent quality of education provided by the academy makes it one of the best online schools in California as of 2023.
7. Redlands eAcademy
The Redlands eAcademy is a blended, public learning school. It is a free school and is aimed at students who currently fall under the K – 12 category. As mentioned, the Redland eAcademy is a blended school, which means that the school makes use of both online and offline systems for effective learning.
The Redlands eAcademy is currently a part of the Redlands Unified School District and the main objective of the school is to provide quality education to students who wish to take a different schedule than follow the traditional method of attending a brick-and-mortar school.
The Redlands eAcademy is an institution that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The academy is free and open to students from all over the Inland Empire.
The Redland eAcademy currently has two campuses. The elementary campus of the academy is located at 850 W. Stuart Avenue and the Secondary Campus of the academy is located at 31000 E. Colton Avenue, S-Wing.
The academy on their website clearly mentions that they are aware that blended schools are not for every student, That is why the academy works in clauses associated with the parents of the students.
The parents and tutors of the academy make the perfect environment for the students who show great excellence and progress with additional independence than their traditional school.
The main objective of the academy, according to their website is to provide support to these students by providing them with a meaningful curriculum and the needed extra support so that they follow their own path to success.
6. California Preparatory Academy
The California Preparatory Academy is an independent high school. The school was established through Capistrano Unified School District and the school is accredited by WASC.
Like most of the mentioned schools that provide students a chance at independent learning, Cal Prep also follows a system where the students have the benefit of both online classes and also face to face sessions with their qualified and experienced tutors.
Enrolling at Cal Per schools also comes with different kinds of benefits for its students. Some of the benefits that the students can avail through their time at Cal Perp is that they have access to UC/CSU-approved coursework that is being provided by the school. The students who are enrolled at Cal Prep also have the chance to participate in CIF-sanctioned sports at their home high school.
One of the most notable benefits of enrolling at the Perp academy is that of double enrollment. This means that the student can also enroll at their home high school and can take one or two classes at their home high school while being enrolled at Cal Prep school.
This also gives the students the perks of attending and being a part of different extracurricular activities at their home school like drama, bands, yearbook, and so on.
The students of Cal Prep school will be well-trained in 21st-century skills. It should also be noted that the school is not currently accepting inter-district transfers this time.
5. California Connections Academy Southern California
The California Connections Academy welcomes students with a note that says ‘Change is Everywhere’ on their website.
The academy, which is a tuition-free- independent study school aims to offer its help to students so that they can convert the change as an opportunity so that they are well prepared for their future and also to face the kind of challenges that lies in the real world.
The website of the academy says that they had been offering this service long back from 2004 and ever since have helped students by helping them to learn in the best way that can benefit them.
The school is concerned about building the confidence of the students by installing school exams and also in facing state assessments in the future along with other bigger things too.
Just as academics give importance to education, they also help develop other qualities that build a student like social, emotional, and real-world skills are also passed down to them in the easiest and best possible way.
The school provides opportunities for students in grades TK – 12 and helps them in developing their academic standards and also the social, emotional, and other such skills that are needed to get along in the real world.
It should be also noted that the school does not collect any tuition fees from thor students for the service. The parents of the students also play a major role in the system and it is through their help that the teachers aid in the growth of the students.
4. Orchard View School
Orchard View School is an independent study charter school and is located near the city of Sebastopol, California. The school offers opportunities for any student in grades K -12.
The school works under the principle that each student is an individual and that each student has different needs to make the most of their talent and potential.
Understanding this basic truth, the school encourages the tutors to design an academic schedule that can accommodate the different needs of all the students and ensure flexibility in implementing their goals and objectives for the students.
After a perfect schedule;l that fits in well with the needs of the student is designed, the tech along with the parent works together to make sure that the students follow these schedules and also provide them with any kind of additional assistance to make the most of the educational objectives and goals.
The school understands the needs of the students and functions by keeping the fact that each student needs a different environment to produce maximum output in mind.
The Orchard View School also provides the students with opportunities to study and work from the safety and comfort of their own homes, attend on-campus classes where they interact directly with their tutors and classmates, and also be a part of extracurricular activities that take place on the campus.
The Orchard View School was named a California Distinguished School in 2013 for its outstanding performance and efforts to improve the future and educational standard of its students.
3. Learning Post High School
As for the top three positions on the list of the best online schools in California, the Learning Post High School comes in at the top third position. The Learning Post High School is a premium independent study school that is located at William .S. Hart School District.
The school is one of the premium independent schools in California and grants students the freedom to arrange a flexible learning environment according to their convenience. The schools provide many facilities to its students so that they can have an effective educational schedule and objectives.
The online syllabus which is available to students 24/7 ensures this system and the assistance of the teachers are also available almost every time.
Unlike traditional school education and attendance, the Learning Post High School does not demand the physical presence of the student. Instead of their daily attendance, the presence of the students is assigned through the timing of the completion of their assigned work. In order to keep up with attendance, the students must complete the works that are assigned in the assigned time itself.
The school also allows the students a dual enrollment where they can enroll at their residence area school. Through enrolling at the school, the students will be permitted to take one or two classes. This option is not mandatory and is up to the students to do it or not.
The classes at the local school will be arranged by the counselor of Learning Post High School and will be carried out based on the availability of space at the school. Currently, a student can take only up to two classes at their local school.
2. Laurel Springs School
Placed at the top second position on the list of best online schools in California, Laurel Springs Schools is considered one of the best online private schools not only in California but in the country itself. Laurel Springs School helps a student choose their own path and also to help them stay on their chosen path to success.
One of the major features of the school is the activities that ensure the participation and learning of the students beyond their academics and class.
The broad range of activities offered by the school makes sure that the students excel not only in education but also in cross-cultural collaboration across the diverse student body.
There are four factors that make parents and students choose Laurel Spring School The first and foremost factor is the flexible schedule offered by the school. The flexible schedule helps the students to find time for their interests and activities outside the education.
This system will help the student to grow both academically and personally. The quality of the curriculum is another factor that makes Laurel Springs school one of the best private online schools in the country.
The curriculum ensures the academic development of the students along with the growth of their other qualities that prepare them for life too.
At Laurel Spring school, the students are part of a very vibrant school life and they also receive individual care from trained and experienced tutors making Laurel Spring the top choice for both students and their parents too.
The school is accredited by WASC and it should also be noted that the students of the schools are selected by some of the best higher education institutes in the country or are successful at what they do today.
Also Read:- Top 10 Best Online Colleges In California In 2023
1. Stanford Online High School
Founded in 2006, Stanford Online high school comes at the top position on the list of the top 12 best online schools in California. The school is also regarded as one of the best and most prestigious online schools in the whole country.
The school describes itself as a place for gifted students who are engaged in significant pursuits beyond their traditional classroom. The school is located within Stanford University, which tells a lot about the quality of education provided and the quality of the tutors that deal with the students.
Stanford Online high school is defined as a combination of students, instructors, and place and it is one of the notable qualities that sets the school apart from other online schools.
The school has accommodated students from all 49 states in America and also from 42 other countries around the world. The school is said to offer its students a very strong curriculum that tests the abilities of the students on different levels.
While the number and diversity of the students are very high, this does not mean that they are completely on their own. There are qualified tutors that privy assistance to students one on one at any needed time.
Around 65% of the tutor at the schools hold a Ph.D. in their respective subject.
The school offers around 82 academic courses and is one of the most vibrant campuses for any online school in the country. Involving the parents, the community of Stanford Online high school is nothing like any other school.
Conclusion
Just as mentioned at the start of the article, independent schools are not for everyone. Doing the work without the support of a friend or a class can be quite challenging for some, which is not at all a problem.
While some people need help in getting their work done, there are students who prefer working alone and a bit more independently. If you are one such student or parent of such a student, an independent school can be the best thing that you can choose for your future.
So, if you are looking for an independent school that offers you a flexible schedule, make use of the list of the top 12 best online schools in California and make a good choice according to your needs and wants, and look closely at what the school has to offer.
