What Is a Good Online High School? Benefits of Accredited Learning
Explore the advantages of online high schools, focusing on affordability, accreditation, and flexibility, to determine if it’s the right fit for your educational journey.
What Is a Diploma Mill? Spot the Red Flags
Learn about diploma mill, their deceptive tactics, and the importance of choosing accredited online high school for a legitimate education.
Virtual Schools: Empowering Educational Choices for All
Explore how virtual schools empower parents and students with flexibility and diverse educational options, going beyond traditional homeschooling and public schools.
US High School Diploma for International Students
Learn how international students can earn a US High School Diploma online, bypassing visa requirements and enjoying the flexibility of Forest Trail Academy.
U.S. High School Diploma (International Programs)
American High School Diploma Programs For International Students Forest Trail Academy offers Internationally Accredited American High School Diploma Programs for students around the world. All International students are welcome to enroll in our online school education program which is fully accredited US school curriculum. The students who are enrolled with our international program get a major benefit to earn an official US high school diploma without having to travel to the United States. The international programs will reduce the efforts of travelling to the United States and expenses incurred on Students visa (I-20), travel arrangements and accommodation arrangements. Our partnership Universities allow the International students to make up the University credits and the actual University degree by enrolling in to our school. A Student Can Enroll For This Course As A Stand-Alone Education Program Or As A Dual Diploma Program. As a stand-alone program, you can instantly create your own program offering American high school diplomas. It is also extremely cost effective as you do not have high startup cost as a traditional business. All you need is a location, computers, internet access, and support staff. As a dual diploma program, students continue their country’s education while simultaneously enrolled in our school. Another very important benefit is that most American universities will accept the international student (with an American high school diploma) without requiring the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Official Records: International students must provide an appropriately authenticated official transcript issued by a governmental authority. Transcripts not in U.S. equivalency must be translated through a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved translating service. Preparation: Students who plan to study overseas need to prepare themselves to do so. By taking online courses, students can experience the American education system (classes, curriculum, students, and teachers) long before landing in the United States. Credits: Forest Trail Academy is accredited by the from Cognia, Middle States Association commission on Elementary and Middle Schools (MSA-CESS), Accreditation International (AI), and National Council for Private Schools Accreditation (NCPSA). We are a State of Florida registered private school. Marketability: Applying to University in America can be extremely competitive. By having American high school course credits, students increase their marketability when applying to colleges and universities. Accredited: Accredited coursework can be used towards obtaining a high school diploma. Convenient: Receive American high school credits without having to move abroad. Inexpensive: When compared to the cost of moving abroad to study, Forest Trail Academy online education is inexpensive. After you have graduated from Forest Trail Academy online school with a high school diploma Certification, you can then decide to travel to the United States to continue your University studies. The option is still there to continue and earn a Bachelors Degree Certification- without leaving your home country. We are providing you with access, options, and empowering you to take control of your education and your future. You now have the same opportunities as any student living in the United States of America. Before enrolling for our Internationally Accredited American High School Diploma Programs if you have any questions then please contact our Admissions Advisor who will assist with the enrollment process and help you by selecting classes after understanding the purpose and goal for your career. You can also reach us on call at 800.890.6269 / 561.537.5501.
Should You Get a Fake High School Diploma? Absolutely Not.
Learn why purchasing a fake high school diploma is a bad idea, the consequences it entails, and how to earn a legitimate diploma online.
Should I Enroll My Child in an Online School? A Parent’s Guide
Explore the benefits of online high schools, such as Forest Trail Academy, and discover why they might be the right choice for your child’s education.
Online Summer School for Credit Recovery at Forest Trail Academy
Explore Forest Trail Academy’s online summer school program for credit recovery, a flexible and accredited way for students to catch up on missed credits and get ahead in their education.
Online School vs. Public School: The Best Choice for Your Teenager
Explore the pros and cons of online school vs. public high school, considering factors like flexibility, cost, socialization, and academic rigor, to make an informed decision.
How Online School Works in Mississippi: A Parent Guide to Enrollment, Law, and Funding
This guide is for Mississippi parents who are looking at online school for their child and want the practical details: what the law requires, how to withdraw from a public school without leaving loose ends, what funding help actually exists, and how credits move in and out of an accredited program. If you want school-specific details for Forest Trail Academy families in the state, start with our Mississippi online K-12 school page. This article covers the legal and administrative side that page does not. Mississippi’s Legal Framework for Enrolling in an Online Private School Mississippi’s compulsory attendance law covers children ages 6 through 17. Under Mississippi Code Section 37-13-91, a parent whose child attends a nonpublic school, which includes an accredited online private school like Forest Trail Academy, must file a “certificate of enrollment” with the school attendance officer for the district where the family lives. This is the same form families use when they choose home instruction, and Mississippi law treats a nonpublic school enrollment under this section much the same way. Key points from the statute: The certificate is due on or before September 15 each school year. If you enroll partway through the year, most districts want the certificate within 15 days of starting. The form asks for the child’s name, address, and date of birth, the parent’s contact information, a simple description of the education program (in this case, “enrolled in an accredited online private school”), and the school’s name and address. The Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement (OCSA) issues the form and can answer district-specific questions. Mississippi does not require standardized testing or curriculum approval for children enrolled this way, which is one reason the state is considered light-touch on this front. That said, exact procedures can vary slightly by county, and forms sometimes change. Before you rely on any of this for your own enrollment, confirm the current form and deadline with your local school attendance officer or the Mississippi Department of Education’s OCSA office directly. Don’t guess on a compliance deadline. If your family is weighing a more homeschool-style approach instead of full private school enrollment, our FTA home school system page explains how that structure works and how it differs from standard enrollment. How to Withdraw From a Mississippi Public School Mid-Year Mississippi allows rolling, year-round enrollment for online private schools, so you are not stuck waiting for a semester break. Here is the order that keeps the paperwork clean on both ends: Enroll with the new school first. Get your acceptance and an official start date from Forest Trail Academy before you formally withdraw. This avoids any gap where your child is not enrolled anywhere. Notify the public school in writing. Send a short withdrawal letter to the principal or district office stating the date of withdrawal and the name of the new school. Certified mail with a return receipt is worth the extra few dollars, since it gives you proof of the date. Ask for records to be released or transferred. Request a copy of your child’s transcript, current grades, and any special education or 504 records. You will need these for the new school’s records review. File the certificate of enrollment. Submit it to the school attendance officer in your district within about 15 days of the withdrawal date, listing Forest Trail Academy as the new school. Keep copies of everything. The withdrawal letter, the certificate of enrollment, and any confirmation from the district. You likely will not need them, but if a question ever comes up about attendance compliance, having dated paperwork settles it quickly. For a broader walkthrough of switching schools without losing academic momentum, see our guide to switching schools mid-year. Funding: What Mississippi’s ESA Program Actually Covers Mississippi’s Education Scholarship Account program is officially the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program. Mississippi families should know upfront that this program is narrower than the universal ESA programs some other states now run. As of the 2025-2026 school year, based on the program’s own published rules: Eligible students must have had an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within the past three years, or a documented dyslexia diagnosis. In most cases, the student must have attended a Mississippi public school for at least one year before applying. Maximum reimbursement is capped per student, and funds are reimbursed quarterly after parents submit documentation of qualifying expenses. The program runs on a fixed annual appropriation, so eligible applicants can be waitlisted once funds for the year are committed. In plain terms: this is not a general-purpose scholarship every Mississippi family can use for online tuition. It is targeted at students with a qualifying IEP history or dyslexia diagnosis who previously attended public school. Program rules and funding levels change from year to year, so confirm current eligibility and application windows directly with the Mississippi Department of Education’s ESA office or the state’s official program administrator before you count on it in your budget. For families paying tuition directly, Forest Trail Academy’s cost runs roughly $3,069 to $4,269 per year depending on grade level, or monthly plans from $236 to $336 depending on grade level, plus a $225 registration fee. Full details are on our tuition page. Transferring Credits In and Out of Forest Trail Academy Transferring in: When you enroll, FTA requests your child’s most recent transcript and current report card. Credits from an accredited public or private school generally transfer directly, including mid-year credits already earned that semester. Our enrollment team reviews the transcript and places your child at the right grade and course level rather than starting over. Transferring out or graduating: This is where accreditation matters most, because it determines whether colleges, other schools, and employers will accept the coursework and diploma. Forest Trail Academy is accredited by Cognia, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), and Accreditation International. FTA is also NCAA-approved, which matters for students planning to
