Is Penn Foster High School accredited?
Yes, it is! Penn Foster High School is nationally accredited by both the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Cognia. In addition to our national accreditation, we are regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA). You can find more details about each of our accreditations on the Penn Foster Accreditations page.
How much does online high school cost?
Several factors influence the cost to get your high school diploma online at Penn Foster, including monthly offers, whether you’re transferring credits into the program, and the payment plan you choose. We pride ourselves on making our high school program as affordable as possible, giving you the option to choose the payment plan that works best for your budget. Visit our online high school tuition page for more information about costs and payment plan options.
Does Penn Foster online High School accept transfer credits from other schools?
In order to successfully transfer credits into Penn Foster High School, you’ll need an official, sealed transcript sent from your previous school for evaluation. Your credits will likely transfer if the courses are equivalent to our curriculum and are from a regionally accredited high school. Visit our high school credit transfer page for more details.
Can adults enroll in online high school with Penn Foster?
Penn Foster welcomes students of all ages, including adult learners. Enrolling in our high school program is open to anyone 13 years or older who has completed the 8th grade. We know how challenging it can be to earn your diploma as an adult learner so we do our best to make it as easy as possible for you with our online and self-paced learning platform.
What is Penn Foster's online high school curriculum like?
To get your high school diploma from Penn Foster, you will need to complete 16 core credits and 5 elective credits. Each student chooses their 5 elective requirements from courses ranging from music appreciation and psychology to vocational courses, such as small business management and veterinary assistant.
Our core curriculum includes English, math, social science, science, arts, and humanities, as well as health and physical education courses. If you are transferring credits, your coursework may vary.
Are online high schools accredited?
Not every online high school has achieved accreditation. One credential to look for is from the Distance Education Accreditation Commission, or DEAC. The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Can I go to college with a Penn Foster diploma?
Yes, though it’s important to note that all colleges have different admissions requirements, so admission isn’t guaranteed. Before enrolling, it’s important to check with colleges and universities you may be interested in to see if they accept Penn Foster.
You can view the schools alumni have told us they’ve been accepted to after graduation to get a better idea of what kind of colleges have accepted our students in the past.
What types of degree programs can I pursue after graduating from Penn Foster High School?
Graduates can pursue a wide range of degree programs, including associate and bachelor's degrees. Our partnerships with higher education providers University of Maryland Global Campus, National University, Sophia, and Southern New Hampshire University offer diverse program options in various fields. These partnerships allow our graduates to seamlessly transition to college-level courses and degree programs with exclusive benefits and support.
What benefits do Penn Foster High School graduates receive from educational partners?
Penn Foster High School graduates can enjoy various benefits from our educational partners, including:
- University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): 8-week asynchronous, online courses with multiple start dates per term, no SAT® or GRE requirements, a waived application fee for first time applicants, and up to 25% off on tuition.
- Sophia: Access to 60+ ACE® and DEAC-recommended courses that are designed to be transferred for college credit, self-paced learning with no deadlines, and a discount on the first month of subscription.
- National University: 190+ career-relevant programs, financial aid opportunities, flexible 4- and 8-week online classes, and a 25% tuition reduction for Penn Foster graduates.
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Affordable tuition rates, financial aid for qualifying students, priority admissions support, and access to 200+ career-focused degree programs.
What is a high school diploma, and what types of diplomas are there?
There are several different types of high school diplomas, including:
- General high school diploma. This is the most common type, awarded by most institutions.
- Occupational diploma. This is for students who choose to focus studies on a specific career path in addition to taking their general education requirements, including math, science, and English.
- Honors diploma. Honors diplomas are given to students who have excelled in their studies, maintaining a specific GPA while taking more advanced courses.
How do you get your high school diploma online?
Each state has different options for online high school programs, some even through the public school districts. Most have set scheduling for study time as well as for taking exams. Penn Foster offers flexibly paced scheduling, meaning you study when it’s best for you and complete your tests once you feel you are well-prepared. As a traditional-aged learner, you can have your parent or guardian enroll you online. You’ll need to have an official copy of your transcript sent to us if you’ve already started high school to help you pick up right where you left off.
How do you get a high school diploma after 21?
A lot of online schools across the country do not offer online high school diplomas to those over the age of 21. However, Penn Foster accepts students starting at age 13 with no age limit on reaching your goal of completing high school.
Is a high school diploma important or necessary?
A high school diploma is necessary to enroll in college, but it can also be a crucial part of getting hired for a job. Many employers look for a minimum of a GED, so obtaining your high school diploma can give you more opportunities. On average, people with high school diplomas earn more.
What is a diploma mill?
Diploma mills are schools that issue diplomas without proper credentials. Meaning, even though you paid for your education, your diploma has little value because employers and institutions of higher education don’t recognize it as legitimate. Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, meaning we have met rigorous standards of education set forth by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This recognition means your diploma should be accepted by employers and most colleges and universities.
