Online Learning

Absolutely! Our courses are thoughtfully designed to support various ways of learning and demonstrating knowledge. We offer a variety of instructional methods and activities—students can choose to learn through lectures, readings, or videos, and they have multiple options for demonstrating their understanding of the material. This flexibility ensures that every student can find their path to success in our courses.
At the Academic Program we use innovative online tools and strategies to make learning engaging, creative, and relevant to the real world. We facilitate lively discussions through boards and video chats, encourage creativity with group projects, and offer science labs that range from online simulations to hands-on experiments. To maintain strong teacher-student connections, we provide video meetings, reflective opportunities, and consistent feedback.

For a closer look at our course design, please check out our videos on the Academic Year and Summer Courses.
No. Our courses are built specifically for online learning. Unlike the emergency remote instruction during the pandemic, our teachers are specially trained in research-based best practices for online education. They are skilled in creating engaging, effective online courses and providing meaningful feedback and communication, all designed to help our students thrive in an online environment.

Academics and Courses

Our classes are intentionally kept small, much like those at independent schools, with an average of fifteen students per section.

This allows for personalized attention and fosters a strong sense of community.
In our online courses, there’s no distinction between class time and homework. For the academic year, students typically spend 6-8 hours per week on non-AP® courses and 8-10 hours on AP® or college-level courses. (That’s about what students spend on a course in a face-to-face school when you add together classroom time and homework time.) During the summer session, students spend about 20 hours per week on coursework. The weekly structure for assignments and activities helps students manage their time effectively and stay engaged with their learning.
No, students follow a set cadence for each course, which encourages regular interaction and steady progress. This approach helps everyone move forward together, fostering a supportive learning community and ensuring full participation.
Our classes start with teachers and students setting collaborative goals for the year, ensuring everyone is on the same page from day one. Students dive into a variety of engaging activities, including reading, watching lectures, participating in dynamic discussion boards, writing essays, working on group projects, solving problems, and completing different types of assessments. This diverse approach keeps learning exciting and effective.
Our AP® courses include comprehensive AP® readiness activities throughout the academic year to gear up for the May exams. These courses and preparation resources remain accessible to students until the end of the testing period. Our dedicated teachers are also available for additional help via email and video calls, ensuring students feel supported every step of the way.
Each school has its own policy on granting credit for courses taken from any other school, including the Academic Program at One Schoolhouse. One Schoolhouse issues a transcript noting the credits earned.
The Academic Program at One Schoolhouse is designed to supplement students' education and does not grant diplomas. Students receive an official transcript upon course completion, which can be presented to their school or submitted as part of their college application.

Students and Teachers

Motivated students from across the U.S. and around the world enroll in our Academic Program for various reasons, such as exploring new topics, completing advanced work, or meeting graduation requirements. Many of these students seek a more flexible schedule. Typically, our students are enrolled at top independent schools and plan to attend highly selective colleges and universities.
Our courses are taught by seasoned educators with extensive experience in independent schools. Over eighty percent of our faculty hold a master’s degree or a terminal degree, bringing both expertise and passion to their teaching. We carefully train each teacher to create and manage personalized online learning environments, ensuring that they are equipped to provide engaging and challenging learning experiences for their students.
Building authentic relationships is central to our Academic Program. Students and teachers engage weekly through discussion boards, email, text, or video chats. Teachers hold virtual office hours, are available via email and video calls, and respond to students within 24 hours. This consistent communication keeps students connected and supported throughout their coursework.
Students are initially placed in courses based on recommendations from their schools. For language courses—such as ASL, Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish—students take an initial skills assessment and have a video meeting with the teacher within the first two weeks of the course. This process ensures each student is in the right course for their skill level. If adjustments are needed, our Student Success Team collaborates with the student's school to find the most suitable course and facilitate a smooth transition.
We foster strong connections to support student success. Teachers are available via email, video chat, and phone for personalized support. For additional help, our Student Success Team collaborates with online instructors and face-to-face schools.

Technology

Students need to ensure their computers meet the minimum standards outlined in our Technology Requirements & Policies. Reliable internet access is crucial, especially for those who may be accessing the course from outside the US. If you have any questions about technology or internet accessibility, please contact the One Schoolhouse office at help@oneschoolhouse.org. We're here to help you find the tools you need to succeed.

Calendar and Schedule

For the most accurate course start and end dates, as well as vacation schedules, please refer to our Calendar page. Please note that our Academic Program courses follow this schedule even when a student’s face-to-face school is on break.
No, because our courses are designed to be asynchronous. This gives students the flexibility to complete coursework at times that work with their schedules each week. Our approach supports a range of learning profiles and school schedules. Students build strong relationships with their teachers and peers through individualized meetings, collaborative projects, and interactive discussions.
Our courses are fast-paced and cover a lot of material, so we advise students not to plan extensive travel during the weeks they’re in a summer session course.

Registration and Tuition

Registration for both summer session and academic year courses opens at the start of January. We recommend completing registration before the first day of the term. For specific dates and times, please check our Calendar page.
Over 270 leading independent schools have joined the Academic Program Consortium. When your school pays a one-time fee, you and your school receive discounts on enrollment in Academic Program courses as well as additional flexibility for mid-year enrollments. Each consortium school appoints an On Campus Advisor who is the primary contact for program and student information.
Yes! Students from any school can take our courses. We welcome students from a wide range of schools, including independent, public, international, single-gender, and religious schools.
For academic year courses, schools typically register students; for the summer session, either families or schools can register students. All students are registered through our easy-to-use online system. If you have any questions about the registration process, please feel free to call the One Schoolhouse office at 202.618.3637. We're here to help!
Tuition is for a single student in a single class. For details about tuition, fees withdrawals and refunds, please see our Tuition and Policies page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online Learning

Academics and Courses

Students and Teachers

Technology

Calendar and Schedule

Registration and Tuition

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