Public online schools – Many states have virtual public schools (Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio, California, Florida, Wisconsin, and many more). These are not classified as homeschool programs. They are public school programs, but they are typically very good. Most use the K12 curriculum. Go to K12.com to learn more and see if they have anything in your state. You can also get K12 as a private homeschooler as weel. The difference between the two is that as a homeschooler the family will need to buy it, will have full autonomy, and the diploma at the end will be a homeschool one not one that comes with accredidation backing it up. Accredidation is a relatively minor issue however. Most collges and universities accept homeschool diplomas with a strong SAT or ACT score just as readily as one from an accredited school. Doing their curriculum under the public school umbrella means that the state pays for the curriculum, provides a computer and printer, and will reimburse for all or part of the family’s internet service. There is less autonomy for the family, but most have not found it to be too restrictive. Most of these programs look to hire their teachers who have or are homeschooling themselves. This helps the teachers to understand the feelings and values of the majority of the families they supervise.

Private online schools: Usually I can rattle off the names from the top of my head, but suddenly I cannot think of a one. LOL. You can try an online search using the terms ‘online school’. That should turn up a good supply of them.

Homeschool virtual co-ops: There are a few online homeschool co-ops that are forming up that run online courses. These programs are still pretty new. Some of them have admissions/course fees. Others have free classes, but kids of volunteers get first seats with any remaining seats going to guest students (parents do not teach a class in the co-op) so they can see what the program is like. One such co-op is http://www.virtualhomeschoolgroup.com/

Time4Learning offers a reasonably priced online home education program; the cost is about $20 per month and is even less if paid on a quarterly/yearly basis. Time4Learning uses the same online education software that is used in public schools all over the nation. The link is below:

http://www.time4learning.com/

The Florida school awards a Florida diploma to those who complete the entire program.