Frequently Asked Questions
We know choosing an online high school is a big decision. Below you'll find honest answers to the questions families ask most. Can't find what you're looking for? Sid, our AI assistant, is standing by at the bottom of this page — or browse our full Knowledge Base for more detail.
Is This a Real School?
Is the Academy accredited? Is this a diploma mill?
+We hold dual accreditation from Cognia and WASC — the same regional accrediting bodies that accredit traditional public and private schools. Our courses are NCAA approved and UC A-G approved. We've been operating since 2013 and have educated over 100,000 students. Our graduates attend Ivy League schools. Diploma mills don't have decade-long track records with Ivy League outcomes. View full accreditation details →
Do colleges actually respect an online high school diploma?
+Yes. Our graduates have been accepted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, and 300+ universities worldwide. Colleges evaluate applications based on rigor, grades, and preparation — not whether students sat in a physical building. Our dual accreditation and NCAA/UC approvals mean admissions offices treat Academy transcripts exactly like any accredited school's credentials. See university outcomes →
Will my child's transcript be accepted for transfer?
+Academy transcripts are official, accredited records. Because we hold the same Cognia and WASC accreditation as traditional schools, transcripts transfer to other schools and are accepted by colleges and universities nationwide. We always recommend confirming with the receiving institution if you plan to transfer mid-year, but our accreditation makes this a straightforward process in the vast majority of cases.
Will My Child Actually Learn?
Is online school as rigorous as traditional school?
+Our outcomes prove it. SVHS students are accepted to Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and every Ivy League school. Our courses carry the same Cognia and WASC accreditation as traditional schools. The honors track includes weekly one-to-one sessions with credentialed teachers and college-level business courses through Silicon Valley Business School. If anything, the Academy is more rigorous because every student gets personalized attention. There's nowhere to hide in a class of one.
How will I know my child is making progress?
+Every Academy student has a Supervising Teacher who monitors progress monthly. Pacing guides in every course show exactly where students stand. Teachers intervene proactively when students fall behind — not at the end of the semester when it's too late. Sage AI Tutor provides immediate help whenever students are stuck. We have more visibility into student progress than traditional schools, not less. Learn how the Academy works →
Can my child handle self-paced learning?
+It's a fair question. Self-paced learning works best for students who have motivation and support — and that's exactly what the Academy provides. Monthly Supervising Teacher sessions keep students accountable. Academic Advisors plan each semester. Pacing guides show where they should be. Students who need more structure can add Personalized Learning Sessions. We don't hand students courses and disappear — we provide the support structure to help them succeed.
My child needs more structure than "self-paced" implies. Is there enough?
+The Academy provides structure — just flexible structure. Monthly sessions with Supervising Teachers keep students accountable. Pacing guides show where they should be. Academic Advisors plan each semester's course load. Students who want additional support can add Personalized Learning Sessions for one-to-one time with teachers. The difference is that the structure adapts to your child instead of forcing your child to adapt to a rigid system.
What about science labs?
+Our science courses include virtual labs and hands-on experiments using materials available at home or easily obtained. Students can also schedule Personalized Learning Sessions for guided lab work with credentialed science teachers. Many colleges now accept virtual lab experience — a shift that has accelerated in recent years. Explore the course catalog →
Specific Situations
Will this work for my student-athlete's NCAA eligibility?
+Yes. All relevant Academy courses are NCAA approved. Our high school code is 851733. We've had many student-athletes use the Academy while maintaining full eligibility. Your child's transcript will show NCAA-approved courses that count toward the required core courses for D1 and D2 eligibility. Learn about the student-athlete experience →
AI is going to take all the jobs. What's the point of high school?
+AI will change everything — but there will be two kinds of people in the AI economy: those who build the tools, lead the companies, and shape how technology serves humanity, and those who are displaced by it. Traditional schools often prepare students for the second category by teaching them to follow instructions and perform repetitive tasks. The Academy specifically prepares students to lead. Our students learn to work with AI, develop critical thinking and creativity that AI can't replicate, and — for honors students — gain real industry exposure through Silicon Valley Business School and Liquidity Club. Learn about AI-era preparation →
What does a high school know about AI and technology?
+The Academy was founded and is managed by seasoned Silicon Valley insiders. Our Silicon Valley origins aren't just a name — they're our DNA. Honors students access Silicon Valley Business School for real business education and connect with actual tech industry leaders through Liquidity Club. AI tools like Sage AI Tutor are integrated throughout the learning experience. Our students don't just learn about technology — they learn to build with it. Read our story →
Investment & Enrollment
This seems expensive. Is it worth it?
+The Academy's base annual tuition is comparable to many extracurricular programs and far less than private schools. Consider what's included: credentialed teachers who know your child's name, one-to-one instruction, 24/7 AI tutoring, and preparation that leads to top universities. The honors track costs more but provides advantages — Silicon Valley Business School and Liquidity Club — that no other high school offers. This is an investment in your child's future, not just tuition. See detailed tuition & pricing →
How does enrollment work?
+Enrollment is straightforward. We recommend starting with a consultation call so we can understand your family's goals and answer any questions. From there, our admissions team guides you through the paperwork, transcript review (if transferring), and course selection. Students can enroll year-round — there's no need to wait for a traditional semester start date. See the full enrollment process →
Can my child start mid-year?
+Absolutely. Because the Academy is self-paced, there's no fixed calendar that students must follow. Your child can enroll and begin coursework at any point during the year. Our Academic Advisors will work with your family to plan the right course load based on where your child is and where they're headed.
What grades does the Academy serve?
+The Academy is a full-time diploma program for high school students in grades 9 through 12. Whether your child is entering high school for the first time or transferring mid-way through, we build a personalized graduation plan around the credits they've already earned and the goals they're working toward.
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What About the Social Side?
My child needs social interaction. Won't they miss out?
+The Academy actually supports richer social lives. Unlike traditional school where students sit passively in classes, Academy students have time for sports teams, performing arts, community involvement, and activities they're passionate about. Many Academy students are more socially active because their education doesn't consume traditional school hours. One-to-one sessions with teachers also provide meaningful adult mentorship that's rare in crowded classrooms.
My child is already too online. Won't this make it worse?
+If your child has taught themselves skills online, built things, and learned from YouTube and Discord — they're not "too online." They're a self-directed learner in an environment that doesn't match how they learn. The Academy was built for digital natives — it provides structure and credentials while respecting how they already live and learn. The question isn't whether they're online; it's whether they're getting accredited credentials for their future.
Don't they need to learn to work in physical environments?
+The economy is moving in the opposite direction. Remote work has expanded dramatically. Tech companies — the highest-paying employers — are increasingly distributed. The skills that matter are self-direction, digital communication, and working effectively across online platforms. Academy students are learning exactly how modern work actually functions — and they're doing it while building credentials that get them into top universities.
What about learning to deal with people they don't choose?
+Academy students have regular one-to-one sessions with teachers, interactions with advisors, and — for honors students — connections through Liquidity Club. But consider this: Academy students have time for activities they choose — sports, arts, clubs, communities — where they form genuine connections around shared interests. That's actually more like adult life than forced hallway interactions. The socialization that matters most happens when people come together by choice, not by proximity.