Now more than ever students have many options to earn high school credits outside of New Albany High School.  Students will opt for these independent learning options to explore a subject not offered at NAHS, to open up their schedule, to take additional NAHS courses, to accelerate to the next level, or to build skills needed for future coursework.  While it can seem like an easy way to get a credit, not all programs are quality nor do they all align with the curriculum at NAHS.  Before registering for an online course, we suggest families weigh the pro’s and con’s as they read through the procedures and considerations.

Students can take coursework from any accredited high school institution.  If that institution awards credit and provides official documentation (transcript, official grade report) reflecting the credit, that credit can transfer to NAHS.  Families are responsible for any fees or costs for courses outside of NAHS.

NAHS does not have a suggested or preferred list of credit granting institutions.  We have listed credit granting institutions some students have used in the past (below).  The list doesn’t reflect if they are quality programs or quick credits. Each program varies in what they offer and how much they charge.  Families are encouraged to conduct their own online search to find a program which best fits their needs.

Procedure for taking a high school class online and/or independent of NAHS:

1. Research area summer schools, online schools, etc. to find the course you are hoping to take.  
2. Check to see if they have accreditation.
3. Confirm that on completion of the course the credit granting institution will provide official documentation to NAHS.
4. If you are using the course as a prerequisite for an NAHS course, consult the NAHS department chair.  Provide them with the institution name, course name and course description for their review.
5. If you are using the course to fulfill a requirement, provide the institution name, course name and course description to your high school counselor to confirm it will meet the requirement in question.
6. Some institutions require students to have their exams proctored.  The qualifications of the “proctor” vary depending on the institution. If the selected program requires a proctor, identify who that person will be, what is required of them and check their availability BEFORE registering for the course.
7. Athletes:  Many online and summer school courses are not approved through the NCAA Clearinghouse.  If you are hoping to use the course for college athletic eligibility, consult Mr. Stahlman.
8. Once the course is complete, request a transcript be sent directly to NAHS from the credit granting institution.
9. When the official transcript is received, the course and credit will be placed on the NAHS transcript with a “T” for transfer and the transcript will be placed in the student’s file.  It may take some time for transfer credits to be processed.  We will do our best to expedite this process for seniors applying to college.

Considerations:

1. Not all courses with identical names are identical in content.  If you have questions, forward the Institution name, course name and description to the high school department chair to review.
2. While a course independent of NAHS may fulfill a prerequisite for an NAHS course, it may or may not prepare a student for the curriculum in the NAHS class. Example:  Online Spanish 2 may not cover all the material in NAHS Spanish 2, resulting in a student struggling in NAHS Spanish 3.
3. What is the goal in accelerating?  What is the desired end point?  
4. Do the colleges to which I may apply prefer a course to be experienced in a classroom environment rather than online?

Examples of schools used by past students:

• Apex Learning Virtual School
• BYU Independent Study
• Keystone School Online
• The American Academy
• Treca iCredit
• Treca Summer School