For students in the United States, ensuring the school they plan to enroll with has the necessary accreditations is essential. Yet, some parents overlook this vital aspect when choosing an online high school for their children, which can trigger unnecessary stress and problems for the entire family.
Accreditation – What Does It Mean?
Accreditation of online high schools refers to a formal process through which recognized accrediting bodies assess online schools to ensure they meet specific standards of performance and quality.
This process involves a comprehensive and regular assessment of the school’s curriculum, overall educational practices followed, faculty qualifications, teaching methods, and procedures to handle assessments. The goal is to determine whether the online school adheres to the requisite state and federal education standards.
Online high schools that have all the essential accreditations like The Ogburn School indicate they meet specific quality standards of education and provide credible education recognized by colleges and potential employers as reliable and valid.
Why Should You Choose an Accredited Online High School?
Getting enrolled in an accredited online high school is crucial because it brings several benefits:
Assurance of Quality Education
Online high schools that are nationally and regionally accredited ensure they meet certain educational standards to deliver quality education to their students.
Whether students plan to go to college, join the military, or get a job, a diploma from an accredited online school can get them ready for colleges or careers of their choice.
Better Chances of Making a Career in the Chosen Field
Students looking to get into colleges and universities will have better chances of acceptance if they come armed with a high school diploma from an accredited institution.
When a student graduates from The Ogburn School, the accredited diploma they are awarded boosts their eligibility for higher education opportunities. Most students of the school have attended universities and colleges while a few have chosen to enter the workforce, join the military, or attend a trade school.
Ease of Course Transfer to a Traditional Institution
If a student wants to return to a traditional public high school, an accredited institution facilitates easy course transfers.
The Ogburn Online School is accredited by multiple organizations and follows the State of Florida curriculum frameworks, course numbering system, and performance standards. Consequently, its courses correspond in both number and description, making it easier for private and public institutions to decide which courses will transfer.
Future Career Readiness
An accredited online high school makes the students ready for their future careers.
Since employers usually consider diplomas from accredited schools as valid credentials, students who decide to enter the workforce find the transition hassle-free than those with a diploma from a school that isn’t accredited.
Regional vs. National Accreditation
Online high schools should have regional and/or national accreditation to ensure academic standards and compliance.
Regional accreditation is handled by regional accrediting organizations functioning in specific regions of the country. When these organizations grant accreditation to an online high school, it indicates that their courses and diplomas meet certain minimum standards.
Regional accreditation is typically valued more than national accreditation. Though the latter is still valid, it’s generally less recognized than the former.
Since regional accreditation is recognized by colleges and universities, students from a regionally accredited online high school find it comparatively easier to pursue higher studies than their counterparts from institutions with national accreditation.
Accreditations to Look For
The Ogburn School is a nationally and regionally accredited online high school in the United States. Taking a look at its accreditations will give students and their parents an idea of what to look for when zeroing in on an online high school to enroll with.
SACS CASI
The Ogburn School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
The parent company (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or SACS) of SACS CASI was founded in 1895. Today, SACS consists of SACS CASI and SACSCOC (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges).
SACS CASI accreditation is considered the highest level of accreditation any online school can attain in the Southeastern United States. Thousands of US-based schools and school systems and those overseas have been accredited by the SACS CASI.
Cognia (previously AdvancED)
The Ogburn School is accredited by Cognia. This accreditation is recognized around the world.
By using research-based standards, Cognia assesses an entire institution or system, from progress, policies, and practices to learning conditions and cultural context, to decide how well the segments work together to achieve the desired vision.
It is awarded by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
Accreditation International (Ai)
The Ogburn School’s Ai accreditation indicates that the school strives to meet and exceed the quality assurance standards and indicators required to advance its students.
Accreditation International offers accreditation in five fields of education – early childhood, schools, distance education, career and technical, and supplementary education.
Ai depends on a key group of national and international experienced accreditation leaders, education experts, and review team members, speaking dozens of different languages and representing diverse cultures, to lead the accreditation procedures for schools.
In addition to the above, The Ogburn Online School is also approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Other accreditations of The Ogburn School are:
- NCA CASI (North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement)
- AISF (The Association of Independent Schools of Florida)
- NCPSA (The National Council for Private School Accreditation)
- ACS WASC (Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
Final Words
Getting an accredited online high school diploma is essential for a student’s future academic and career success. Parents and students can visit the school’s website to check their accreditation and verify the same by visiting the accrediting organization’s approved list of schools.
Students planning to finish high school online must choose an accredited school to ensure they use their money, effort, and time wisely and are future-ready. And that’s where The Ogburn School scores!
