Online high schools in Arizona

Distance learning has a strong presence in the Grand Canyon State: The Arizona State Board of Education has approved more than 25 schools for district-based virtual education for 2010-2011. Other options for Arizona online high schools include a variety of private and charter schools.

The Arizona Department of Education website suggests that online learning should have a positive effect on student attendance. The state's K-12 online course catalog explains that distance learning is designed to be as rigorous as campus-based classes, and students need self-discipline to succeed in online courses.

Choices for Arizona online high schools

Board-approved, district-based online high schools in Arizona include programs in Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson and many other locations. As parents or prospective students, you can contact your local school district directly for more information.

Online charter high schools in Arizona are not subject to the same regulation as public schools, and are often supported in part through private donations. These alternatives to the traditional high school setting may feature flexible registration and scheduling. One charter school gives you a choice of full-time virtual, site-based or concurrent studies, which are free to students under the age of 22 in Arizona and fee-based for students outside the state.

Online private schools are another option. These schools typically encourage student-teacher communication through email or online meetings. In addition to interactive Web-based studies, schools provide materials such as textbooks, CDs, videos and other hands-on resources. In Arizona, private schools operate without the supervision of state or local education authorities.

No matter which school you choose, take some time to do research. Online schools offer vastly different features, and it's up to you to determine which program best fits your family's needs.