Frequently Asked Questions

Students admitted to Smart Schools must be at least 11 years of age and show a school transcript, homeschooling portfolio, or standardized test scores indicating at or above 6th-grade level performance in all subject areas.

There is no maximum age limit. We welcome all ages with a minimum age requirement of 11.

Yes. Smart Schools welcomes students from a variety of geographic areas. If you are not a US citizen, we have an international program.

No. Smart Schools’ flexible program allows students to enroll online at any time! Or, contact us to speak with a member of our team during business hours.

The GED, or General Equivalency Diploma, is the name of a company that administers a type of exam that assesses basic high school competencies. In most cases, students need to pass a series of exams in order to achieve their GED. Smart Schools is not a GED program. Instead, we help students achieve their high school diploma. In some cases, the GED and a high school diploma are interchangeable, but in others, a high school diploma is required. Oftentimes, a GED can unfairly bias a potential employer against hiring you.

You can begin your classes right away. All you need is a computer with access to the Internet and Microsoft Office software. Once you enroll, you’ll receive access to our exclusive online learning system to immediately begin your first course. All students begin with an online Orientation.

Yes, you can transfer credits earned while you attended a traditional high school or an accredited online school. Your official transcripts will be reviewed, and our team will work with you to create an academic plan to fulfill any remaining graduation requirements.

Because Smart Schools is fully accredited credits should be easily transferable. However, acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of the individual school.

College acceptance is based on multiple factors — the level of challenge in the curriculum, grades achieved, the quality of your college application and essays, activities, and leadership roles outside of school, etc. Smart Schools allows all students to earn an accredited high school diploma, which is a basic requirement for college acceptance.

Smart Schools is a fully accredited online private school providing junior high and high school curriculum at an affordable price. All of our courses are fully online. Smart Schools is accredited by Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSACESS). MSACESS is an accrediting division that is regionally accredited. We also have international accreditation that allows Smart Schools to educate international students in their native language.

It is important to have confidence in the program in which you are investing your time, money, and trust. We recommend that students always ensure the veracity and legitimacy of any program they will be attending, especially online programs.

The best way to verify acceditations are checking the websites of the listed accrediting agencies to ensure that the school is currently accredited with them.

• Check the accrediting agencies’ veracity as well. While private schools are not overseen by any government agencies, the accrediting agencies should be recognized by the state and federal Departments of Education.
• If you plan to attend a particular college, contact its admissions department and ask them if they accept diplomas from a school that is accredited by the school’s accrediting agencies. Smart Schools is accredited by: Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools and Accreditation International

Yes, tutoring is available! If you feel as though you need further assistance with a lesson, please contact your instructor or our student help desk.

Yes, this is an ACTUAL diploma. You may notice photos of Smart Schools alumni on our website, some of whom are holding their diplomas.

After you complete your final course, your file will be reviewed for graduation clearance. Once cleared, you are officially a high school graduate! Your advisor will collect your information as to how you want your name to appear on your diploma and how you would like to receive it. This process usually takes about two weeks.

We also host graduation ceremonies for those interested in having the full graduation experience. You can invite friends and family to hear your name called as you walk across the stage and receive recognition for your achievement! You can learn more about this on our graduation page.

Yes, our flexible online learning program allows students to study anytime and anyplace while completing as little or as much work as their schedule allows. Because our program is based on mastery, students have the ability to take as much time as they need.

There is no requirement to pursue a full diploma program. We offer individual online high school courses – some students complete all their educational requirements with us, while others only join us for a class or a summer. Individual courses are right for you if you are looking to:

• Get ahead in your studies
• Take courses that are unavailable in your regular school curriculum
• Challenge yourself with honors or dual credit course
• Make up for missed classes
• Gain experience with online learning

Yes, they are certified and highly qualified. 

No! We don’t track attendance and there’s no requirement to log a set number of school hours per day. We care about your progress and will encourage you to keep pushing forward toward your diploma.

Students generally need between 20 and 22 credits to graduate, depending on their “cohort” requirements. The cohort requirements are based on the year that the student was originally going to graduate and the state where they last attended school.

Yes, dual enrollment, also known as concurrent enrollment, is available throughout your time at Smart Schools! This is a great opportunity if you plan to continue your education, as it allows students to take college-level courses while still in high school, earning both high school and college credit simultaneously.

Yes! We have a dedicated team to help our graduates identify their pathway and begin planning their next steps upon graduation. Every Smart Schools student is connected with this team and the support they offer. With their wealth of knowledge and access to resources, this is often recognized as one of the strongest benefits we offer!

We designed our payment structure to be budget-friendly. Tuition is paid monthly, though some other arrangements can be made.

Nope!

No. Your eBooks and study materials are included in your tuition. You’ll also receive access to our exclusive online learning system to immediately begin your first course.

Yes! Smart Schools is in the process of expanding access to this funding source for our students across the United States.

We are currently set up in Arizona, where qualifying students have access to the AZ ESA voucher program. Your Empowerment Scholarship Account can cover your tuition fees entirely. Learn more on this page: smartschoolsusa.org/esa. For additional questions regarding ESA, give us a call!

All students will be assigned to an academic advisor after enrollment. They will stay with you throughout your time at Smart Schools and will be your go-to source of support and encouragement all the way to graduation!

Academic Advisors will work with you to create a learning plan based on any previously earned credits you transfer in and lay out the path to complete all remaining graduation requirements. They will help you choose which course to take and when, plus connect you with any other resources that can benefit you!

We understand, this happens sometimes! If you get stuck, you can always reach out to our instructor or our student help desk. Both are committed to being accessible and responsive. They can also help get set up for additional tutoring if needed.

Smart Schools prioritizes one-on-one assistance and being responsive to your needs. We have staff available for services such as:

• academic guidance
• tutoring
• college and career planning
• counseling

Additionally, we have a student support website where students can find a wide range of resources and connect with our staff and partner organizations. If unsure where to begin, students can always contact their Academic Advisor, who can facilitate support.

Smart Schools provides access to “The HUB” student resource centers. The HUB exists to help undo barriers that our students experience. It’s difficult to focus on education when basic needs go unmet. They have physical locations designed to support students with academics, accessibility, community resources, and a safe working environment. They’re located throughout Arizona, but can offer help finding resources in your local community as well.

Once enrolled, we point all students to our HUB student support website to explore resources. Academic Advisors are also able to help navigate the support website and help you get where you need to go.

Interested in exploring the student resource website before enrolling? Visit mystudenthub.org