You probably didn’t know but you can get a free high school diploma online at no cost. This is an opportunity for high school dropouts to get their high school diploma in the cheapest and most convenient way and go on to pursue better life prospects.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a massive adoption of online education. Turns out the technology has been around longer than we thought but it was never really given much attention until the pandemic struck. All classes moved online from grades K-12 to college programs during this time, and even after the pandemic, many institutions continue teaching online.
Online education has now become a common system of teaching and learning in the education sector. Today, you can go online and study to get qualifications such as a high school diploma, certification, degree, and other professional diplomas. The online learning approach in education has made it even more exciting and convenient to learn, cheaper in cost, and faster to complete.
If you don’t find the traditional teaching and learning style comfortable or exciting, you can switch online and still get the same qualification. There is no difference between an academic qualification gotten online the one got offline. In essence, an online high school diploma is the same as the traditional high school diploma, just ensure that the online high school has the right accreditation.
Parents who want their kids to become conversant with technology from an early age can enroll them in an online high school to get their diploma. Also, those who dropped out of high school, whether 2 years ago or 50 years ago due to one reason or the other can enroll in an online high school to get their diplomas.
In a traditional high school, you can no longer attend high school when you are above 21 years old but with online high schools, whether you are 12 or 45 years old, you can still get your diploma through online classes. The classes are designed to be flexible so that learners can conveniently carry out other activities while studying for their diplomas. And there is also the fact you could literally take your classes while curled up on the bed of the sofa.
In this blog post, I present to you a list of the best free high school diploma online. Yes, they are free and online. You need not pay a dime to enroll in these online high schools curated here and it applies to people of all ages. This can be a huge benefit to those who had to drop out of high school due to financial constraints and also to low-income families who cannot afford the cost of high school for their children.
Before we get into the main topic, let’s take a moment to look through some of the helpful guides below especially the steps required to obtain an online high school diploma.
What Is A High School Diploma?
A high school diploma is an academic qualification awarded upon graduation to students who complete high school.
Things You Can Do With A High School Diploma
I never knew a high school diploma was so important until I started writing on this topic. High school is a requirement to set up your future. You may not complete college and still live a very successful life but when you don’t complete high school, you are certainly doomed to fail at many things. It is hard to get a job without this qualification and even if you did, you would so underpaid compared to one who has a high school diploma.
To buttress how important a high school diploma is, I will go on to show you the things you can do with it.
- A high school diploma will get you a good job that pays well
- Getting a high school diploma gives you the opportunity to explore multiple career options or further your education in college or vocational school.
- Possessing a high school diploma places you above competitors without one.
- Employers prefer to employ high school graduates over dropouts because it shows that they have the qualities to take on a job and do it efficiently.
- There is always a better opportunity for you if you have a high school diploma.
How To Obtain A High School Diploma Online
Here is a guide to obtaining your high school diploma online:
Step I: Choose an Online High School
The first step to take in getting your diploma online is to search for online high schools. There are hundreds of them on the internet so finding them is really no hassle. Where the hassle lies would be in choosing the right one that suits you best.
When choosing an online high school to obtain your diploma, ensure that they are accredited by the right organization, they have a physical site just in case, and if they don’t ensure they can be reached via other means like email, and ensure that the curriculum meets the educational requirement of your state.
The free high school diploma online curated here meets all of the above, you can just skim through and apply for the one that sits right with you and save some time and stress doing that research on your own.
Step II: Enroll in an Online High School
Now that you have picked out an online high school, you have to enroll to start studying for your diploma. The enrollment is usually online and can be found on the website of your preferred high school. It is typically a registration form where you just input your details such as name, address, date of birth, etc. There may be an application fee attached and you have to pay it to be accepted.
Step III: Study and Get Your Diploma
All classes in an online high school are held online via Zoom, Skype, or a custom video call app that the school uses. You will join the online classes, complete tests, and assignments just like a regular school and graduate. When you graduate, you will be given your high school diploma. It may be sent to your email address which you can print or it can be sent to you via postal mail.
These are the three steps to obtain a high school diploma. Now, we can get into the main topic.

10 Best Free High School Diplomas Online
The best free high school diploma online is:
1. Connections Academy
Connections Academy is one of the best online high schools where you can obtain a high school diploma for free. The academy offers tuition-free education to students in grades K-12 and the good thing about this academy is that you can learn at your own pace to earn your diploma.
As for its recognition, Connections Academy meets the standard in state and national levels, it is accredited by Cognia. It is not just the tuition that is free here at Connections Academy, you also get free books for the duration of your studies. The curriculum covers core courses in math, science, language arts, and social studies.
2. Franklin School
Franklin School is a private virtual academy that offers high school programs online to students from grades K-12 at an insanely cheap cost of only $330 per month. Yes, it is not free but, c’mon $330 a month? That is incomparable to the thousands of dollars that typical high school charges per semester.
This virtual academy is accredited by Cognia and registered with the Florida Board of Education. The curriculum is the same as that of a traditional high school but in this case, students get to learn in a flexible and self-paced way.
3. Mizzou Academy Online High School
Mizzou Academy is an online high school affiliated with the University of Missouri and accredited by Cognia. Its affiliation with a leading university offers students the opportunity to become scholars of the University of Missouri when they graduate from the academy.
The academy offers over 200 courses and innovative co-teaching partnerships. The tuition fee for this academy is $500 but residents of Missouri only pay 50% of the tuition.
4. Penn Foster High School
When it comes to online high schools, Penn Foster is widely recognized. It is among the first high schools in the US to start online high school education. The academy is regionally and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Penn Foster High School offers typical high school subjects but also offers other vocational training programs such as plumber and electrician.
This online high school is not free but comes at a ridiculously cheap price of $1,315 per month and a great installment plan that allows you to pay as little as $49 per month. Penn Foster is all about helping students get their diplomas online in the most affordable way. Also, the school is in partnership with career schools, universities, and job corps all over the country.
5. Alabama Virtual Academy.
Alabama Virtual Academy is a full-time online public school for students in K-12 and adults. The academy has a program known as Stride Career Prep that gives students the chance to explore career options by teaching them core academic courses and other career-focused electives that are in high demand.
Students don’t just earn a diploma but they also earn college credits, gain industry experience, and develop real-world skills.
6. Stanford Online High School
Stanford Online High School is a high school for students in grades 7-12. The school offers both online and in-person programs to children and adults. Adults especially those who want to get a high school diploma have a higher chance of getting their diploma for free at Stanford Online High School as the school covers tuition for adults with financial issues who want to get a diploma.
7. Pinnacle Charter Schools
This is another tuition-free online high school open to students from grades 6-12 and accredited by Cognia. Enrollment into Pinnacle Charter Schools is throughout the school year. Students learn from the very best in the field through innovative curriculum and a flexible learning experience.
8. Arkansas Virtual Academy
Arkansas Virtual Academy is one of the best free high school diplomas online aimed at inspiring and empowering students through an educational experience designed to fit the needs of students. The academy also has the Stride Career Prep program that equips learners with the opportunity to explore a wide range of career options and gain industry experience while at it.
After you get your high school diploma online, you may go on to enroll in an online course to get a skill. There are many options to consider such as online courses to learn cell phone repair or if you have a thing for selling properties, you can take an online course in real estate.
Are online high school diplomas legitimate?
Yes, online high school diplomas are legitimate, valid, and recognized just like the high school diploma gotten through the traditional way of learning.
Can you get your high school diploma after the age of 21?
Yes, you can get a high school diploma after 21 years old through online high schools.
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