Online K-12 School for Military Families | PCS-Proof Education
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Military families face a unique education crisis: PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves every 2-3 years disrupt schooling, fragment transcripts, and cost students credits. The average military child attends 6-9 schools before graduating. At Forest Trail Academy, none of that matters. FTA’s 100% online, self-paced curriculum travels with your family from Fort Bragg to Ramstein, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Camp Humphreys. Enrollment stays active through every PCS. Transcripts are maintained by one accredited institution from K through 12th grade — no more lost credits, no more catching up at a new school. No geographic restriction — works at CONUS and OCONUS installations worldwide Year-round open enrollment — enroll between PCS orders, not just in September One consistent curriculum from K-12, regardless of duty station Cognia accreditation recognized by all state-funded universities and DODEA Self-paced learning accommodates deployment disruptions to family schedules Online proctoring from base housing, BOQ, or any internet connection worldwide Deployments and Family Separations: When the active-duty parent deploys, the remaining parent needs flexibility. FTA’s asynchronous model means students can work at 5am or 10pm — whatever fits the military household’s schedule during that demanding period. SCRA and Military Benefits: FTA is not a Title IV institution and does not participate in GI Bill, MYCAA, or other military education benefits for K-12. However, our tuition ($255-$355/month) is a fraction of DoDEA-area private school costs ($15,000-$25,000/year). Bases We Serve: Fort Liberty (NC), Fort Campbell (KY), Fort Hood (TX), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA), Langley AFB (VA), Ramstein AB (Germany), Yokota AB (Japan), Camp Humphreys (South Korea), Naval Station Norfolk (VA), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (CA), and all CONUS and OCONUS installations. Enrollment Process for Military Families:1. Contact FTA admissions at 800-890-6269 with your current duty station2. Provide previous school transcripts (FTA handles credit evaluation)3. Enroll — no waiting for a school year start4. Your child begins learning within days5. When PCS orders arrive, nothing changes in their coursework Does FTA accept mid-year enrollments between PCS moves? Yes — open enrollment year-round, start any week Will FTA’s diploma be accepted at schools near our next duty station? Cognia-accredited diplomas are recognized by all public and private universities in all 50 states How does proctoring work during TDY or deployment? Remote proctoring via webcam from any location worldwide Can we enroll at an OCONUS base like Germany or Japan? Yes — FTA has students at OCONUS installations in 30+ countries Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately. Guides for families who move or travel: moving abroad with school-age children, moving back to the US and school re-entry, moving during the school year, PCS moves and school transfers, online school across time zones, school options for a family travel year, online school for Foreign Service families and online school for missionary families. Online school for military families: the Interstate Compact in brief The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children sets shared rules for records, class placement and graduation when children of eligible military families change schools. According to the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), all 50 states and the District of Columbia are members. The MIC3 parent guide states that the Compact applies to public schools and Department of Defense schools, so a private online school sets its own credit and graduation policies. The full explanation, with a checklist, is in our guide to PCS move school transfers. School liaison officers: a first call after orders Every installation has a School Liaison Program office. Military OneSource says the program provides a wide range of support for geographically dispersed families. Its Compact page describes liaisons as the main contact between families, local schools and the installation command, and says they help with credit transfer and class registration. Contact the liaison at your current installation and at the gaining installation. Use the installation search to find each office. Good questions to bring: Which documents does the gaining district expect at enrollment? Does the state allow virtual or online options for a child who arrives midyear? Which credits and tests does the district count from the previous school? Is my child eligible for a DoDEA school at the next station? Keeping one transcript across duty stations Each school keeps its own transcript. A student who attends a different school at each station finishes with several records that a counselor combines. A student who stays with one school keeps a single record that grows with each course. The sample below is an example, not a real family. Public school at each station is a common path, and the Compact exists to support it. Sample student Local school at each station One online school throughout Station 1, grades 6 and 7 Transcript from school A Transcript begins Station 2, grades 8 and 9 Transcript from school B, plus a request for school A records Same transcript, new courses added Station 3, grades 10 to 12 Transcript from school C, plus requests for A and B Same transcript, new courses added Diploma issued by The last school attended, using credits from all three The one online school Whichever path you choose, keep your own file: copies of orders, an unofficial transcript, course descriptions, state test reports and immunization records. Request a transcript copy at the end of each school year. Forest Trail Academy families can use the transcript request form. Overseas postings DoDEA runs schools at many overseas installations. For students who live overseas where no DoDEA school is available, the DoDEA Virtual High School describes a Non-DoD Schools Program on its eligibility page. Ask the liaison which option applies at your assignment, and ask
Online School for Students Who Were Bullied | Start Fresh, Learn Safe
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Bullying is not a character-building experience. It is trauma. For students experiencing chronic bullying — physical, verbal, social, or cyberbullying — every school day is a threat that competes for cognitive space with learning. You cannot fully learn in an environment where you do not feel safe. Forest Trail Academy removes the environment. The hallway gauntlet The cafeteria social hierarchy The locker room exposure The classroom social performance The bus ride The group project with the students who exclude you The teacher who minimizes the bullying The administration that protects the bully What Bullied Students Often Experience: Depression, anxiety, academic decline, school refusal, PTSD symptoms, suicidal ideation in severe cases. These are not overreactions — they are documented clinical responses to sustained threat. Removing the threat is often the most therapeutic first step. Academic Recovery: Many bullied students arrive at FTA with grade damage caused by anxiety, inability to focus in a hostile environment, or missed school. FTA’s self-paced structure allows students to start from exactly where they are academically and progress forward. Previous academic disruption does not define their FTA experience. Rebuilding Confidence: Learning in a safe environment, making academic progress, and rediscovering intellectual curiosity — these are healing experiences. Students who were told (explicitly or implicitly) that they were not good enough often discover that they are academically capable when the hostility is removed. Documentation and Legal Considerations: If families are pursuing legal action or complaint processes regarding bullying, FTA enrollment documents that the student was removed from the harmful environment for documented safety reasons. FTA is not a legal resource, but our enrollment documentation may be relevant to your case. Can my child transfer their credits to FTA from their current school? Yes — FTA evaluates all previous transcripts Will my child be isolated socially at FTA? FTA has an online student community, clubs, and events. Additionally, removing school doesn’t remove family, neighborhood, and extracurricular social connections Is FTA’s diploma seen negatively by colleges if the reason for transfer was bullying? No — college applications ask where you graduated from, not why you chose that school How quickly can we start after withdrawing from traditional school? FTA’s open enrollment means students can begin within days Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately.
Online School for Gifted & Advanced Students | Self-Paced Excellence
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Traditional schools are designed for the average student. They move at a pace that serves the middle of the class. For gifted and advanced learners, this means years of boredom, disengagement, and underperformance — not because they can’t do the work, but because they finished it 20 minutes ago and have been waiting ever since. Forest Trail Academy removes the ceiling. Students move at their true pace, accelerate through subjects they have mastered, go deep on subjects they love, and can graduate early if they choose. Complete coursework in months rather than years (finish a full-year course in 6 weeks if ready) AP courses starting from middle school (no age or grade barrier) Early graduation — complete high school in 2-3 years instead of 4 No waiting for the class to catch up Depth when you want it — dive deeper into advanced topics without pace restrictions College-level course preparedness The Twice-Exceptional (2e) Student: Many gifted students are also twice-exceptional — they have extraordinary intellectual gifts alongside learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism spectrum disorder. Traditional schools serve neither the gifted side nor the learning difference side well. FTA’s flexible pacing serves both: intellectual acceleration where the student soars, extra time where they need it. Early Graduation: Students who complete graduation requirements ahead of schedule can graduate early from FTA. FTA has graduated students as young as 15 or 16 who went on to enroll in college. The accredited Cognia diploma is accepted by all universities regardless of graduation age. AP Courses for Gifted Students: FTA offers a full AP catalog. Students can take multiple AP courses simultaneously, start AP courses in 9th or 10th grade, and use AP exam scores to earn college credit before they even begin their freshman year. Many gifted FTA students arrive at college with 15-30 credits already earned through AP. Can my gifted 13-year-old enroll in high school courses? Yes — FTA places students based on academic level, not age How early can a student graduate? Whenever graduation requirements are met — no minimum age Can students take college courses alongside FTA? Yes — dual enrollment is supported Does early graduation affect college admissions? No — many selective colleges actively seek out early graduates showing academic maturity Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately.
Online High School for Student Athletes | NCAA-Eligible Flexible Diploma
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → For elite student athletes, traditional high school schedules don’t work. 5am ice hockey practice, cross-country travel for tournaments, multiple training sessions per day — and then showing up to a rigid 7-period school day that ignores all of it. Forest Trail Academy was built for athletes who refuse to choose between their sport and their education. NCAA-eligible program (critical for college recruiting and scholarship eligibility) Zero fixed class times — train at 5am, study at midnight if needed Year-round open enrollment — start training camp schedule any time Self-paced: complete coursework during offseason, maintain GPA during season Full AP course catalog for athletes building strong college applications One accredited transcript that follows you from high school to college recruitment NCAA Eligibility: Forest Trail Academy meets NCAA eligibility requirements. Students must complete 16 core courses with a minimum 2.3 GPA (Division I) or 2.2 GPA (Division II). FTA’s course catalog covers all required core areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and approved electives. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center using your FTA transcript. Sports We Serve: Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, gymnastics, track and field, volleyball, wrestling, lacrosse, hockey, softball, cross country, competitive cheerleading, dance, and more. If your sport demands a non-traditional schedule, FTA is your school. Baseball players: Complete coursework in winter (November-January), maintain enrollment during spring season Competitive swimmers: Study between morning and afternoon practices Equestrian athletes: School from the barn or competition venue Tennis players on the junior circuit: Study from hotels, airports, tournament sites College Recruitment + FTA: College coaches don’t care where you went to high school — they care about your GPA, test scores, athletic stats, and NCAA eligibility. FTA provides all the academic documentation coaches and college admissions need. Many Division I athletes in baseball, soccer, tennis, and swimming have graduated from FTA. Is FTA officially NCAA-eligible? Yes — FTA courses have been reviewed for NCAA eligibility requirements How does a college coach verify my FTA transcript? FTA provides official transcripts directly to colleges and the NCAA Eligibility Center Can I take AP courses at FTA while training full-time? Yes — all AP courses are self-paced What GPA do I need to maintain for NCAA eligibility? 2.3 for Division I, 2.2 for Division II — FTA academic counselors help athletes stay on track Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately. Guides by sport and discipline: online school for tennis players, soccer players, lacrosse players, gymnasts, figure skaters, equestrians, dancers and ballet students, actors and performers and the academic program for sports academies and dance schools.
Online School for Military Families | Expat Families Abroad
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → If your family lives abroad — whether by career choice, diplomatic assignment, military orders, or personal preference — Forest Trail Academy is the school that travels with you. One enrollment. One consistent curriculum. One accredited US diploma at the end. No matter where in the world your family calls home. The Expat Education Problem: International school fees in major expat hubs often exceed $30,000-$50,000 per year, per child. Frequent relocations mean curriculum disruptions, lost credits, and children who have attended 4+ schools before high school ends. Local national schools require language fluency and follow non-US curricula that don’t transfer cleanly to US college applications. One consistent US curriculum regardless of which country you’re in No geographic restriction — available in 195 countries Cognia-accredited diploma recognized by US and international universities Fraction of international school fees ($255-$355/month vs. $30,000+/year) No PCS or relocation disruption — enrollment continues through moves Open enrollment — start whenever your posting begins, not just in September Countries We Serve: FTA has students currently enrolled in the UAE, UK, Singapore, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, Brazil, and 30+ more countries. Working Across Time Zones: FTA courses are 100% asynchronous — no live classes. Students in Tokyo can submit assignments at 3pm their time without coordinating with a US time zone. Proctored exams are also available remotely. For Diplomatic and NGO Families: UN agency staff in Geneva, diplomatic families at embassies worldwide, NGO workers in East Africa, development finance professionals — all have used FTA to maintain consistent US-standard education while their careers take them across the globe. Can we enroll from any country? Yes — FTA has students in 50+ countries How do we handle proctored exams from abroad? Remote webcam proctoring available from any internet connection What if we have multiple children? Each student enrolls separately with individual accounts Will the diploma be recognized when we return to the US? Cognia-accredited diplomas are recognized by all US universities and most employers Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately. Guides for families who move or travel: moving abroad with school-age children, moving back to the US and school re-entry, moving during the school year, PCS moves and school transfers, online school across time zones, school options for a family travel year, online school for Foreign Service families and online school for missionary families.
Online School for Working Teenagers | Earn Your Diploma Around Your Job
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Nearly 5 million American teenagers work part-time or full-time while in high school. Traditional school was not designed for students who open the restaurant at 5am or close the retail store at midnight. Forest Trail Academy was. **Who FTA Serves:** Teen workers in retail, food service, agriculture, entertainment, manufacturing, family businesses, and service industries. Emancipated minors managing their own lives. Teen parents balancing school, work, and child-rearing. Young people contributing to family income while pursuing their diploma. **How FTA Fits a Work Schedule:** No fixed class times means your coursework adapts to your shifts, not the other way around. Working the 6am shift? Complete coursework the night before. Closing shift ends at 1am? Study the next morning when you wake up. Seasonal agriculture means intense work in summer and downtime in winter? Use the downtime to advance your coursework significantly. **Night Shift Students:** FTA has students who work third shift and complete their coursework from midnight to 3am. No alarm, no teacher expecting you at 7:45am, no detention for sleeping in class because you just finished a shift. Your schedule is yours. **Emancipated Minors:** Legal emancipation doesnt automatically provide access to education. FTA accepts emancipated minors as independent students and provides the academic structure and accreditation needed to move forward professionally and in higher education. **Teen Parents:** Balancing parenthood and education is one of the hardest things a young person can face. FTA allows teen parents to complete coursework during nap times, evenings, or whenever childcare allows. No missed class for a sick baby. No expulsion for pregnancy-related absences. **FAQ:** – *Can I work full-time and complete FTA?* Yes — many students do, though it takes more time – *Is there a minimum hours per week I must study?* No mandatory minimum — progress determines graduation, not hours logged – *Can I take FTA slowly and finish over 5 years instead of 4?* Yes — tuition is monthly, no deadline to graduate – *Does my employer need to know I am in online school?* No — FTA is private, your academic records are confidential Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online.
Online School for Rural Families | No Commute, Full K-12 Curriculum
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Rural families have always faced an unfair trade-off: accept the limitations of their local school district, or move away from the land, community, and way of life they love. Forest Trail Academy changes that equation. Full K-12 curriculum, AP courses, accredited diploma — delivered to any home with an internet connection, no commute required. The Rural School Gap: Rural schools serve 9.3 million students but face persistent challenges: teacher shortages in specialized subjects, limited AP course offerings, bus rides of 60-120 minutes each way, limited extracurricular options, and declining enrollment that strains resources further. A student in rural Wyoming should have the same access to AP Chemistry, AP Spanish, and dual enrollment opportunities as a student in suburban Chicago. Full AP course catalog — not the 1-2 AP courses a rural school might offer, but the complete catalog Certified teachers in every subject including advanced mathematics, sciences, and languages No bus ride — study at home, at the barn, on the farm, wherever makes sense Save $5,000-$8,000/year in transportation costs alone Students can participate in local community activities without school schedule conflicts States with Large Rural FTA Populations: Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, rural Texas (West Texas, Panhandle), rural California (Central Valley, far northern counties), Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and rural portions of every state. Starlink and Rural Internet: For families in extremely remote areas, SpaceX Starlink has made reliable high-speed internet available virtually anywhere. FTA requires a stable internet connection but not high bandwidth — Starlink speeds more than meet the requirements. 4-H, FFA, and Rural Activities: FTA's flexible schedule is perfect for students active in 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America), junior rodeo, agricultural competitions, and other rural youth activities. Schoolwork fits around the activities that matter to your community, not the other way around. What internet speed does FTA require? Minimum 5 Mbps — Starlink, cable, or DSL in most rural areas qualifies Can my child still participate in local sports and activities? Yes — no conflict with local extracurriculars Is FTA's diploma recognized by state universities? Yes — Cognia-accredited, accepted by all US public universities What if we're on a farm and schedules vary with seasons? Perfect for FTA — work intensively during slow agricultural periods, lighter during harvest Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately.
Online School for Students with Chronic Illness | Learn on Your Terms
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → A cancer diagnosis, an autoimmune flare, a chronic fatigue cycle — these don’t pause for school calendars. For students managing chronic illness, traditional schooling’s attendance requirements and rigid schedules create an impossible situation: be sick and fail, or push through illness and suffer. Forest Trail Academy offers a third option. **Medical Conditions FTA Serves:** Childhood cancer and chemotherapy cycles, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, lupus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, Type 1 diabetes management challenges, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and seizure disorders, severe migraines, autoimmune conditions, post-viral syndromes, and post-surgical recovery. **The Traditional School Failure for Chronically Ill Students:** Hospital homebound education programs are inconsistent, understaffed, and provide minimal academic support. Attendance policies penalize sick days — the very days illness demands rest. Make-up work piles up during illness. Students fall behind, then fall further behind trying to catch up. Academic progress collapses during medical crises. **FTA’s Medical-Responsive Structure:** – No attendance requirements — zero days required – Work intensively on good health days; rest completely on hard days – No coursework expires while you recover – Same certified teachers and quality curriculum whether you’re in treatment or in remission – One consistent academic program through the entire medical journey – Official transcripts maintained regardless of pace **Coordinating with Medical Teams:** FTA academic counselors understand that medical appointments, infusion days, and recovery periods come first. Families can notify FTA about extended medical absences and receive guidance on pacing adjustments without academic penalty. **Hospital-Based Study:** Students in hospital settings can continue FTA coursework from a hospital room when their condition allows. Tablet or laptop access to FTA’s platform requires only internet connectivity. **FAQ:** – *What if my child misses a month of school due to hospitalization?* Resume exactly where you left off — no penalty, no coursework lost – *Can proctored exams be rescheduled for medical reasons?* Yes — contact FTA admissions with medical documentation – *Does FTA coordinate with school districts for homebound services?* FTA operates independently and typically replaces homebound programs – *What if my child’s treatment affects concentration and cognitive function?* Self-pacing means working in shorter sessions when cognitive capacity is limited Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online.
Online School for Nomadic & Traveling Families | School That Travels With You
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → Your child’s school shouldn’t have an address. Forest Trail Academy is the accredited diploma that travels wherever your family does — from Yellowstone to the Algarve, from the Pacific Coast Highway to the fjords of New Zealand. Full-time RV families: “We’re always moving” is not an obstacle at FTA — it’s exactly what we’re built for Sailing families: Blue water cruising, coastal cruising, Caribbean loop — FTA students have done it all while earning their diploma Worldschooling families: Adding accredited structure to your immersive global education Digital nomad families: Remote-work parents whose children need remote school The Accreditation Question: Worldschooling is rich, experiential, and transformative. It is also not automatically recognized by universities. FTA provides the accredited structure that ensures your nomadic education culminates in a Cognia-recognized diploma — the bridge between worldschool and college admissions office. Exam Proctoring on the Road: FTA’s proctored exams use remote webcam technology. Students can take proctored exams from an RV park with a reliable hotspot, a marina’s WiFi, a hotel room during a long trip, or any Airbnb worldwide. No testing center required. Starlink for Nomadic Students: SpaceX Starlink is transforming education for nomadic families. With Starlink RV (portable satellite internet), reliable connectivity is available across most of North America, Europe, and growing regions worldwide. FTA coursework does not require high bandwidth — a Starlink connection more than covers it. Portfolio Preservation: FTA maintains transcripts and academic records. Regardless of where your child does the learning, the official record shows a consistent, accredited academic progression. Can we pause enrollment between long passages without internet access? Contact FTA to discuss pacing adjustments for extended travel What state do we register FTA under if we have no home state? Most nomadic families maintain a domicile state — FTA operates in Florida and accepts students from all states Can we combine worldschool experiences with FTA credits? Some real-world experiences may qualify as elective credit — contact admissions What internet speed is minimum for FTA coursework? 5-10 Mbps sufficient; Starlink, cell hotspot, or marina WiFi typically qualifies Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately. Guides for families who move or travel: moving abroad with school-age children, moving back to the US and school re-entry, moving during the school year, PCS moves and school transfers, online school across time zones, school options for a family travel year, online school for Foreign Service families and online school for missionary families. Worldschooling and roadschooling: what the terms mean and how families use them Worldschooling means learning through travel, usually in other countries. Roadschooling means learning while traveling by RV, van or car, usually inside one country. Outschool’s roadschooling guide draws the same line, and many families use the two words loosely. Neither is a school, a curriculum or an accreditation. Each describes where and how a family learns. The family still decides how to teach core subjects and how to record them. Parents who work remotely often search for a digital nomad school, which means a school with no fixed address and no set class time. Self-paced courses with no live classes fit that need, because lessons do not depend on the time zone you are in. Our guide to online school across time zones explains how that works. How families pair travel with an accredited program Three patterns are common. Most families use a mix. Core courses on a steady rhythm, travel as projects. English, math, science and social studies follow a set plan. A market visit becomes a lesson in prices and exchange rates. A coastline becomes a science unit on tides. Travel in seasons, a base in between. Some families move for part of the year and stay put for the rest. Keeping the same courses through both stretches avoids a change of school midyear. High school credits first. Older students need graded courses that count toward a diploma. Travel projects can add to that work, and the school counselor decides whether a project earns elective credit. If your family is traveling for a set period and plans to return to a local school, read our guide to school options for a family travel year. Record keeping while you move A school that receives your child later, whether a college or a local school, asks what was learned and when. Start the records on the first day of travel. An attendance log with dates and subjects. A work sample from each subject every month. Grades, test results and a reading list. Course descriptions or syllabi for every course, especially in high school. A copy of every transcript, saved in cloud storage and on an external drive. Which law applies depends on your situation. HSLDA says that you should follow the law of the state in which you are physically present and that, for a stay of more than a month in another state during its school year, it generally recommends meeting that state’s homeschool requirements. Other travel guides say to follow the law of your home state. Because the advice differs, check your state’s rules in our homeschool requirements by state table and ask your state department of education. Abroad, the country you are in sets its own rules. Worldschooling with a parent-built curriculum or an accredited online school Both routes work on the road. They differ in who plans the courses and who holds the record. Question Parent-built curriculum Accredited online school Who plans the courses The parent The school Who grades the work The parent The school’s teachers Who keeps the transcript The parent The school Schedule freedom Highest, with no set course list High with
Online School for Families Seeking Faith-Based Flexibility
Ready to learn more?Fill in the short form below and an admissions counselor will reach out within 24 hours. Open enrollment — your child can start any week. Get Started → For families of faith who want both rigorous academic accreditation and the freedom to incorporate their religious values into education, Forest Trail Academy offers the academic half of that equation — with zero interference in the other half. FTA is a secular, accredited academic institution. The curriculum covers core academics as required for a Cognia-accredited diploma: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and electives. What FTA does not do is tell your family how to approach faith, values, or worldview. That belongs to you. **How Faith Families Use FTA:** – Complete FTA’s secular accredited core curriculum for the academic transcript – Add your family’s faith-based curriculum alongside FTA for religious education – Use FTA’s flexible schedule to attend morning prayer, religious classes, Shabbat, Friday prayers, or religious events without academic penalty – Graduate with an accredited Cognia diploma that opens doors to any university — secular or religious **Christian Homeschool Families:** Many Christian homeschool families use FTA for academic accreditation (the diploma that colleges recognize) while using their preferred Christian curriculum (Abeka, Sonlight, Classical Conversations, Mystery of History) for values formation. FTA handles the academic credentials; your faith curriculum handles the spiritual formation. **Muslim Families:** FTA’s asynchronous model accommodates all five prayer times. No class conflicts with Jumu’ah (Friday prayers). Ramadan fasting schedules can be accommodated with flexible pacing. Islamic studies can be added alongside FTA coursework. **Jewish Families:** FTA accommodates Shabbat, High Holy Days, and other Jewish observances. Jewish studies can be added alongside FTA. Many Jewish day school families use FTA for secular subjects while maintaining Jewish learning. **Science Curriculum Note:** FTA teaches standard evidence-based science curriculum including evolution as taught in US universities. Families who wish to address this from a religious perspective can add supplemental materials; FTA cannot modify accredited curriculum standards. **FAQ:** – *Does FTA have any religious content?* No — FTA is entirely secular – *Can my child observe religious holidays without falling behind?* Yes — self-paced means religious observances don’t create academic penalties – *Is FTA’s diploma accepted at Christian, Jewish, and Islamic universities?* Yes — Cognia accreditation is universally recognized – *Can I add my religious curriculum on top of FTA?* Yes — many families do exactly this Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online.
