Online high schools in Delaware
Almost 23 percent of Delaware's population of nearly 900,000 residents is under the age of 18, but this is slightly less than the national average, as reported in the 2010 U.S. Census. The state estimates that out of these school-age residents, about 14 percent attend private schools and 2 percent are home schooled, as of 2011. Delaware may cover a small area, at less than 2,000 total square miles, but it boasts 27 public high schools, six vocational technical schools and about 20 charter schools, with others planned to open.
The state government has some good news in terms of academic achievement: The high school dropout rate of 3.7 percent for 2010-2011 showed improvement from the 5.1 percent rate in 2008-2009. For 2010, the College Board found mean SAT scores for Delaware college-bound high school seniors as follows:
- Critical reading: 501, in the 51st percentile nationwide
- Mathematics: 516, in the 54th percentile nationwide
Options for online high schools in Delaware
There were no public Delaware online high schools offering a comprehensive, full-time education in the 2010-2011 school year, according to the Evergreen Education Group. In 2008, the state created a pilot Delaware Virtual School, coordinating with all the state high schools, but this initiative was discontinued due to funding concerns. The University of Delaware has selected distance learning courses for high school and college credit, but college tuition is charged.
Private online high schools in Delaware provide a full-time solution for students seeking a diploma. With for-fee virtual schools, you can look for a tailored curriculum and flexibility in scheduling. Students and parents can also choose among private, non-profit online high schools with potential financial aid packages. Some e-learning alternatives may require part-time attendance. If you're exploring distance learning, make sure you find a program that matches your particular needs.