Is a Diploma better than a GED?
This depends on who you ask and what you need it for. GED is equivalent to a high school diploma. Most employees that state they want someone with a high school diploma will also consider someone with a GED. The national median weekly salary is $676 for full-time workers 25 and older, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A high school dropout's median salary is $396, but high school graduates earn $562 and college graduates $996. In 2004 more than 650,000 individuals took the GED. This is an impressive number as the drop out rate continues to rise.
So exactly which is better? I think that if you are an individual that just wants to get done with high school then a GED would be fine where if you want to move on to college and really get the most out of your high school experience then a Diploma is right for you. Either way you are taking a big step in the right direction by continuing on with your education.
Why should I or my child attend an online high school?
Online schools are becoming more and more popular as time seems to be the #1 issue when it comes to education. If you are a person that works long hours at work then you need a school that can accommodate your needs. One of the great advantages of an online high school is you can work on the course material when you have time. If you are a night person and can only study at night, the online method allows you the flexibility to do so. Are you one that can only work on things 30 minutes at a time? Well that is fine as well.
Another reason why someone may decide to receive their diploma online would be that they don’t want their children to go to a particular school or they would like to home school their child. Many families today see the benefits of home schooling. You may be wondering if online schools or home schooling is only for those children that dropped out of school or have special issues. That isn’t all true in this day and age. In fact many schools offer programs for advanced students. If your child excels in a given area but your local school doesn’t offer any advanced classes you might want to consider a course from an online school.
Questions and Answers
What do I need to know going forward with an online high school?
For starters think of it as a regular high school without actually attending a physical school. You’ll still have homework assignments and tests as well as projects that will need to be completed. The difference is how and when you decide to go to school. If you work throughout the day then you’ll only have the evenings to do your coursework. I know the most frequent question we get asked is: “Is online schools better than a live high school.” My response is “there are pros and cons of each and it depends on your situation.”
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are you considering an online school because you would like to teach your son or daughter from home? If so then an online school has the structure you might be looking for while home schooling.
2. Do you live in an area where the public high schools are below standards or you don’t want your son or daughter attending the school because of safety reasons? With an online school that would solve your problem.
3. Are your kids in sports? If so an online high school wouldn’t allow your kids to participate in much of the after school curriculum offered from a live school.
You see as you continue to ask these types of questions you weigh out both the pros and the cons. You are the only one that can decide and many of the schools we have listed have great programs. Follow up with each school and don’t feel embarrassed to ask as many questions as you see fit before making your decision.
I only need a single course to complete my high school, can you help?
Yes, in fact many of the schools listed offer both single courses as well as full year programs. If you are only needed a single course, for example Algebra, then you should be able to find the course that you need. Check with each school to make sure that they course you are taking can be transferred back to the school. This is very important and we cannot stress this enough.
I need an advanced course, do online schools offer honors courses?
Many schools now offer honors or advanced courses for those who need such curriculum. If you need a course for college or continuing education, then an online high school might be a good fit.
Do online schools have teachers? If so are they qualified to teach?
This is a great question, and a in this day an age a valid one to ask. Again, think of an online high school as a normal school and yes they have teachers. The teachers have normal office hours and are there to answer any questions you might have about your course work. Many schools have live interaction at scheduled times. The feel is that of an live high school but the only difference is you’re at home. Online high schools have teachers that are qualified to teach that subject matter.
How do I know if an online high school is legitimate?
We get this question a lot even with our schools that offer online degrees. The best advice I can tell anyone that is considering going to school online is to get as much information about the school as you can and talk to them a lot. Real schools have admission counselors that are informed about the course and can answer all of your questions. Fake schools might just operate on the internet and won’t even list a phone number. I know I’d be real suspicious of a school that I couldn’t call. Also where are they located? How many teachers or employees do they have? The list goes on and on of simple questions you can ask before committing to a school.
Another question we get asked is about schools that offer degrees or high school diplomas in a matter of days. I e-mail back with one response “Do you think you can get a qualify education in just a few days?” I’ll let you be the judge of that one. If you are looking for a quality school that will give you a quality education then you must ask questions and dig deep into the school. Remember this is your education and you deserve the very best.
*The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states high school graduates can earn, on average, over $7,000 more per year than individuals without a diploma. Individual student experiences may vary. Our estimate is based on a 25-year-old who works full-time for 40 years.
Do high school students taking courses online need to take tests?
Yes. If you decide to go online and finish your high school diploma you will always need to take tests. Online high schools are no different than brink and mortar schools, only virtual.
Can a diploma from an online high school be used for College?
Yes, as long as the online school you are attending has the proper accreditation. Be sure to ask the school where they are accredited from. This is very important as many schools claim to be accredited but the accrediting body is not valid. Check your local government website for details or simply ask your current high school if they are accepting credits from the school you want to attend.
Is there an age limit for enrolling in an online high school?
No. The great thing about getting your high school diploma online is that nobody needs to know your age. If you are embarrassed about getting your diploma due to you age then the online option might be the best thing for you.
Do high schools online cost more money?
It does depend on the school that you choose. Many online schools are private schools that only take limited enrollments while others have open enrollments. Since most of your local high schools are funded by the government you’re out of pocket money is limited.
Are online high schools accredited?
Below is a list of accredited bodies that fall under the Department of Education. You can find a list of all accredited high schools in your area.
Here is a list of the most common things you always wanted to know about online high schools
Online high schools have extra curricular activities – Most people don’t realize that just because the school is online doesn’t necessarily mean that the students won’t have extra curricular activities. Many schools offer activities such as chess, yearbook clubs, writing clubs, etc.
Taking courses online are only for troubled kids or dropouts – This actually couldn’t be further from the truth. Today online high schools are the best place for kids that are looking for an advanced level of education. They currently aren’t receiving the education from their local school and look for other arrangements so they can get into the college of their dreams.
Online high schools aren’t challenging and will socially be harmful to your child – Again, schools that are online are no different than in a classroom, and probably more challenging. As an online student you have great one-on-one interaction with your teacher. Socially your child will interact with other kids via phone, fax, e-mail, instant messaging and even video.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending an online high school?
Advantages:
- One of the biggest advantage is that you can work at your own pace. This allows you to complete assignments when you have time as well as get caught up when you have time.
- You can avoid all the distractions that you would have at a regular high school. Sometimes your friends and other issues are more important than grades.
- Many students see it as a way to develop their own identity.
- You won’t be picked on or have to deal with pear pressure (drugs and sex).
- Earn your diploma faster than a traditional school.
Disadvantages:
- Most online programs don’t have the social events such as proms or dances.
- More visual courses such as biology can be harder via online if the technology of the school you are attending isn’t advanced.
- You need to be motivated. If you allow your child to be online for hours of the day you need to make sure they aren’t wasting the time surfing.
