Online high schools in Iowa

Iowa was fourth in the nation in terms of high school graduation for 2007-2008, according to the U.S. Department of Education, and the 2008-2009 freshman graduation rate for the state was 86 percent, compared to 76 percent nationwide. Education is a top priority in this Midwestern state, and students enjoy access to campus-based and online studies.

Coursework for online high schools in Iowa can be found in the public or private sector. Public schools are partially to fully supported by individual school districts and the state government, while private schools take their support from students in the form of tuition.

Choices for Iowa online high schools

Supported by the state Department of Education, the Iowa Learning Online program, or ILO, offers selected high school classes. ILO seeks to help local schools expand learning opportunities, with a wider variety of courses accessible to all students, including subjects that otherwise might not be available.

Students are eligible for ILO if enrolled in an accredited Iowa public or private school that partners with the program. Enrollment fees vary, and may be waived for certain courses. ILO courses are expected to have 25 or fewer students, and students may take as many courses as the local district or school allows. Not all schools in Iowa are affiliated with the ILO, and individual school districts may provide alternatives.

Private schools, within or outside the state, represent another option for students seeking online high school diplomas or personalized studies. The convenience of e-learning allows students to attend school from anywhere in the country, and private schools don't come with the same residency requirements as some state-supported local schools. You can consider public initiatives as well as private academic programs when exploring Iowa online high schools.