Online School for Michigan Students

Online Schools in Michigan: An Accredited Private Option

Forest Trail Academy is an accredited private online school that enrolls Michigan students from kindergarten through grade 12. Students in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Lansing and across the state study from home on their own schedule. Courses are self-paced, certified teachers support each student, and enrollment is open in any week of the year, so a Michigan family can start without waiting for a new semester.

• Online elementary school, kindergarten to grade 5
• Online middle school, grades 6 to 8
• Online high school, grades 9 to 12
• Homeschool programs

Online High School in Michigan, Grades 9 to 12

Michigan high school students can enroll full time and work toward an accredited diploma, or take single courses for credit. Full-time students follow the General Diploma (21 credits) or the College Prep Diploma (24 credits), and credits already earned at a Michigan school are reviewed at enrollment. See how to earn an online high school diploma.

Students who need to make up a course can use online credit recovery, and families moving during the school year can read how switching schools mid-year works.

Free Michigan Online Schools Compared With a Private Accredited Option

Michigan families have tuition-free public choices, and they are worth knowing. Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan and Michigan Connections Academy are full-time online public schools. As public schools, they follow Michigan academic standards and state testing, with a structured schedule that includes live instruction.

Forest Trail Academy is a private school with tuition. Families choose it for year-round enrollment, self-paced courses with no fixed daily schedule, and the freedom to keep the same school if they move out of Michigan. Current rates and monthly payment plans are on the tuition page.

Homeschooling in Michigan

Michigan is one of the states that does not ask homeschool families to file a notice. Under the state’s home school exemption, a parent or legal guardian teaches an organized program covering reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing and English grammar. The Michigan Department of Education publishes the current rules, and it is worth reading them before you withdraw from a school.

Families who want teachers, grading, transcripts and a diploma handled by a school can enroll in an accredited program and learn at home. Our guide on how to start homeschooling walks through each step.

Michigan Online School Questions

Is Forest Trail Academy an accredited online school for Michigan students?

Yes. Forest Trail Academy is an accredited private online school. Its accrediting bodies are listed on the accreditation page.

Are there free online schools in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan has tuition-free online public schools, named above. Forest Trail Academy is a private, tuition-based school with year-round enrollment and self-paced courses.

Can a Michigan student start in the middle of the school year?

Yes. Enrollment is open all year, and credits already earned are reviewed when the student enrolls.

Can a Michigan student take one or two online classes?

Yes. High school students can enroll in individual online courses alongside their current school.

How do Michigan families enroll?

Submit an inquiry on this page, or book a call with admissions to review grade level and records.