Our Accredited K-12 Online School are Accepting Students Across US.
- Established Online School with 10,000+ students since 2007
- 100% Online, Zero Hassle Learning Programs
- Graduates are Accepted in Universities and Colleges Worldwide
- Accredited Regionally, Nationally and Internationally
Forest Trail Academy is a fully accredited online school serving students in Minnesota, other parts of nation, and abroad. The innovative learning methodologies using technology, quality education, and curriculum benefit students in the state of Minnesota. We offer online elementary school (kindergarten to Grade 5), middle school (Grade 6 to Grade 8) and high school (Grade 9 to Grade 12).
Online High School in Minnesota, Grades 9 to 12
Many Minnesota families searching for online school are looking for high school specifically. Forest Trail Academy’s online high school program for grades 9 through 12 carries the full graduation-requirement sequence, Advanced Placement courses, and NCAA-approved core courses for student athletes. Students enroll any week of the year and work at their own pace.
Minnesota teenagers behind on credits can use online credit recovery to make up individual courses without repeating a year, and families moving mid-year can see how transfers work on our switching schools mid-year page.
Free Minnesota Online Schools Compared With a Private Accredited Option
Minnesota runs free public online schools approved by the state, open to residents, and for many families those are the right answer. They are state funded, so there is no tuition.
What a paid accredited private school adds is a different set of trade-offs: enrollment that opens any week rather than at set terms, coursework that is genuinely self-paced rather than tied to a class cohort, certified teachers assigned to each course, and smaller groups. Forest Trail Academy publishes its full cost rather than a starting price: $3,069 to $4,269 per year depending on grade level, with monthly payment plans from $236 for elementary to $336 for high school, plus a one-time $225 registration fee. Every fee is listed on the tuition page.
Minnesota does not operate an education savings account or voucher program. Minnesota does offer a K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit through the Department of Revenue that may apply to some education expenses; check their current guidance for what qualifies.
Minnesota families deserve a high school diploma that opens every door, and Forest Trail Academy delivers exactly that. As a Cognia-accredited online school serving students from Minneapolis to Duluth and every corner of the state, FTA gives Minnesota students the flexibility to learn on their schedule without sacrificing academic rigor or university recognition. Whether your child is a student-athlete, a family navigating rural school limitations, or a teenager ready to accelerate their education, Forest Trail Academy has been the trusted choice since 2007.
Minnesota Homeschool Law: What Parents Need to Know
Minnesota requires homeschooling families to submit annual notification to their local school district, provide quarterly reports of the child’s progress, conduct annual standardized testing for students in grades 3 through 10, and meet parent qualification requirements when teaching certain subjects, particularly those requiring specific academic credentials.
When you enroll your child in Forest Trail Academy, FTA functions as your child’s accredited school of record, not a homeschool program. This means FTA’s certified teachers deliver and oversee instruction, satisfying the parent qualification requirements that Minnesota law imposes on homeschooling parents teaching academic subjects. FTA provides official transcripts, progress reports, and standardized academic assessments that can be used to meet Minnesota’s reporting and testing requirements. We strongly recommend Minnesota families notify their local district and consult with our admissions team to confirm the documentation approach that fits your specific district’s expectations. Our team has guided families through this process across Minnesota and will walk you through every step.
Why Minnesota Families Choose Forest Trail Academy
- Cognia Accreditation: FTA’s diploma is recognized by University of Minnesota, Carleton College, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, Hamline University and all US public and private universities, Cognia (formerly AdvancED) is.
- Self-Paced Learning: Students in Minnesota study on their schedule, perfect for student athletes, rural families, working teenagers, and families with medical needs.
- Open Enrollment Year-Round: Start any week, no waiting for September in Minnesota.
- Full AP Catalog: Not the 1-2 AP courses a rural Minnesota school might offer, FTA’s complete AP catalog is available from any location in Minnesota.
- Certified Teachers: 80%+ of FTA teachers hold advanced degrees. Same teacher quality in rural Minnesota as urban Minnesota.
Cities in Minnesota We Serve
Forest Trail Academy serves students across Minnesota including families from:
- Minneapolis: Minneapolis families choose FTA when they want accredited academic rigor beyond what the Minneapolis Public Schools district offers, including a full AP catalog and flexible scheduling for competitive athletes and performing arts students in one of Minnesota’s most diverse and fast-paced cities.
- Saint Paul: Saint Paul families enrolled in FTA gain access to a Cognia-accredited diploma and individualized pacing that the Saint Paul Public Schools system cannot always provide, particularly for students with medical needs, gifted learners, or those seeking credits not available locally.
- Rochester: Rochester families, many connected to the Mayo Clinic and its affiliated research community, choose FTA for its academic depth, AP course selection, and the flexibility to accommodate irregular schedules driven by medical appointments, research internships, or intensive extracurricular pursuits.
- Duluth: Duluth families in this geographically spread-out region of northern Minnesota rely on FTA to close the course-availability gap between Duluth’s urban core and surrounding rural communities, giving every student access to a full accredited curriculum regardless of where they live.
- Bloomington: Bloomington families in this fast-growing Twin Cities suburb choose FTA for individualized learning plans, a broader AP and elective catalog than local schools offer, and the ability to balance academics with competitive travel sports and extracurricular schedules common in the area.
University Recognition in Minnesota
Forest Trail Academy’s Cognia-accredited diploma is recognized by University of Minnesota, Carleton College, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, Hamline University, as well as all US public and private universities. Minnesota students who graduated from FTA have gone on to enroll at the University of Minnesota, Carleton College, St. Olaf College, and other leading institutions across the country. Our Cognia accreditation is accepted by FAFSA, military recruiters, and employers nationwide, giving your child a credential that carries weight everywhere.
How Enrollment Works for Minnesota Families
- Contact Our Admissions Team: Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our team serves families throughout Minnesota.
- Submit Transcripts: Previous school records evaluated, FTA handles credit transfer from any Minnesota school.
- Receive Your Curriculum Plan: An academic counselor creates your child’s personalized learning plan based on grade level, goals, and interests.
- Start Learning: Access all coursework immediately. No waiting. No start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions for Minnesota Students
Q: Does FTA enrollment satisfy Minnesota’s homeschool requirements?
A: FTA is a fully accredited school of record, which means your child is enrolled in an accredited private school rather than a traditional homeschool program. FTA’s certified teachers deliver instruction, addressing Minnesota’s parent qualification requirements. FTA provides transcripts and progress reports that can satisfy quarterly reporting obligations, and our assessments can be used to meet Minnesota’s annual testing requirement for grades 3 through 10. We recommend coordinating with your local district and our admissions team to confirm the exact documentation your district requires.
Q: Is FTA’s diploma accepted by Minnesota state universities?
A: Yes, Cognia accreditation is recognized by all Minnesota public and private universities including the University of Minnesota, Carleton College, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, Hamline University, and all others.
Q: Can a Minnesota student transfer mid-year from a traditional school?
A: Yes, FTA accepts transfers any time of year with no waiting period. Our admissions team will evaluate your child’s existing credits and build a curriculum plan that picks up right where they left off.
Q: How does online proctoring work for Minnesota students?
A: Fully remote webcam-based proctoring from your home in Minnesota, no testing center required. All you need is a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection.
Enroll from Minnesota Today
Forest Trail Academy has served families across the United States including Minnesota since 2007. With over 10,000 students, a Cognia-accredited curriculum, and a diploma recognized by 1,000+ colleges and universities worldwide, FTA is the trusted choice for Minnesota families who want more. 19 out of 20 FTA graduates recommend the school, and our open enrollment means your child can start this week, not next semester. Contact us at 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online today.
FTA Students Across Minnesota
Forest Trail Academy serves families throughout Minnesota. Find local information and enrollment details for your city:
