Being an athlete or a performer is practically a full-time job, and for a high school student, it can be difficult to balance a traditional high school schedule with the many responsibilities that come along with these occupations, such as training, auditions, practice, travel, performances, and sporting events.  Online High School can be a great option because it provides the flexibility needed for athletes and performers to be able to pursue their careers while receiving a quality online high school education. However, with so many options out there, choosing the best online high schools for athletes or performers can be challenging and overwhelming.

 How do you know decide which online high school to choose?

Here are 6 steps that will help you decide which school is best for you or your child:

1. Make sure the school is regionally accredited

If it isn’t, no college will accept it.  There are many diploma mills out there with bogus accreditations, so do not skip this step.

2. Make sure the school’s program is self-paced

Since athletes and performers tend to have unpredictable schedules, a self-paced online high school diploma program is best because it allows the student to log on any time of the day and complete the program at his/her own pace. 

3. Make sure the school offers a college-prep curriculum

If a student has any plans of going to college after high school, there are certain classes that need to be taken in order to be accepted into a program.  A college-prep online program offers classes that are designed to meet the admission requirements of most colleges and universities in the United States. 

4. Make sure there are certified teachers assigned to the courses

Online high school can be challenging, and it is important that a student have someone reliable to contact if assistance is needed.  If there are no teachers assigned to the courses, or if the teachers are not certified, then look for another school.

5. Make sure the school is NCAA approved

This is especially important for athletes.  Only a small percentage of online high schools are NCAA approved, so it is important to do your research.  If an online high school is not NCAA approved, then the credits and diploma from that school cannot be used towards NCAA scholarship requirements.

6. Make sure the program is affordable and fairly priced

There are many online high schools that charge thousands of dollars upfront for tuition.  There are quality online schools that are affordable and still offer the same, if not more, program features as the higher priced online high schools. 

So, there you have it.   If you follow these 6 simple steps, choosing the best online high school for athletes or performers will be a piece of cake!

**For more information about enrolling an athlete or performer in an accredited online high school, please contact our admissions team at National High School.  You can reach us by phone at 1.877.503.4599 or by email at info@nationalhighschool.com.http://blog.nationalhighschool.com/index.php/online-high-schools-for-athletes-or-performers/