Online high schools in Minnesota

Online high schools are a growing phenomenon. About 20,000 Minnesota students took at least one course online during the 2010-11 school year, Sarah Lemagie of the "Star Tribune" reported in September 2011.

For students in search of an alternative to the traditional classroom - and parents who want their child to succeed in the right environment - choosing the ideal online education program can be challenging, particularly due to the virtual high school's newness. Options may change based on school district and your child's needs.

Explore online high schools in Minnesota

There are two different methods by which students can pursue online education in Minnesota:

1. Supplemental (part-time): Blends online coursework and traditional schooling. With supplemental online high school, students can take up to half of their coursework online each term.
2. Comprehensive (full-time): Students of full-time programs may be subject to more stringent requirements than their part-time peers, including state residency.

Within the above categories, you can further narrow your options to two types of online high schools:

1. Nonresident district: At Minnesota online high schools serving multiple districts, students may be a resident of any school district within the state, often tuition-free. Some schools may even permit students who live outside of Minnesota to enroll; though out-of-state and out-of-district students are subject to tuition.
2. Resident district: Some school districts have their own online education component. To attend these schools, students must be a resident of the district in question.

Parents and students may apply for admission through their district or an online school's website. Before you take the virtual plunge at any online high school, find out about test scores, graduation rates and impact on college admissions, if you aim to go.