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Online School for Chicago Families | Forest Trail Academy
If you’re a Chicago parent weighing your options, you already know the math doesn’t add up: a seat at Latin School or Francis Parker runs 5,000–5,000 a year, CPS schools are stretched thin, and if your kid plays club hockey or trains at a performing arts conservatory, a fixed bell schedule can feel like a daily battle. Forest Trail Academy gives your family a fully accredited K–12 education that works around your life , not the other way around.
Why Chicago Families Choose Forest Trail Academy
Chicago private school tuition is among the steepest in the country. The University of Chicago Lab School, Francis Parker, and Latin School all sit above 0,000 a year , and that’s before activity fees, transportation, and uniforms. CPS enrollment data tells its own story: overcrowded classrooms, inconsistent staffing, and long wait lists for selective-enrollment programs like Jones College Prep or Northside Prep. If you live on the North Shore in Evanston, Wilmette, or Lake Forest, you may be adding a 45–60 minute commute on top of everything else. FTA eliminates that equation entirely. Your child learns at home , or anywhere with a connection , through a structured, self-paced curriculum that doesn’t sacrifice rigor for convenience.
Chicago’s Latino families in Pilsen, Little Village, and Humboldt Park face a different set of priorities. Many parents want their children earning a US-recognized diploma , the kind that opens doors to University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, DePaul, and beyond , without navigating under-resourced neighborhood schools. FTA’s English-language curriculum is clear, well-supported, and fully accredited, so the credentials your child earns here carry real weight with Illinois colleges and universities. And for Northshore families whose student athletes or young musicians train at odd hours with AAU programs, club teams, or the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, FTA’s schedule-free model means your child can get coursework done at 6am before the ice or 9pm after rehearsal , no permission slips required.
What You Get with FTA
- Cognia Accreditation: Your FTA diploma is recognized by University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern and all US public and private universities.
- No Fixed Class Times: Study at 6am before training, after your shift, on weekends , whatever fits your Chicago lifestyle.
- Open Enrollment: Start any week of the year. No waiting for September or next semester.
- One School Through Every Change: PCS moves, relocations, and family changes don’t disrupt your child’s education at FTA.
How to Get Started from Chicago
- Call or Submit an Inquiry: Reach our admissions team at 800-890-6269 , they know the Chicago area and can answer local questions.
- Submit Previous Transcripts: FTA evaluates credits from any Chicago-area school.
- Start Learning: Coursework begins within days. No waiting.
Questions About Online School in Chicago?
Q: Is FTA’s diploma recognized by Illinois universities?
A: Yes , our Cognia-accredited diploma is accepted by University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern, all Illinois public universities, and 1,000+ colleges nationwide.
Q: Can we start mid-year from Chicago?
A: Yes , open enrollment means you can start any week.
Q: How does online proctoring work for Chicago students?
A: Fully remote, webcam-based. No testing center needed anywhere in Chicago.
Part of the Illinois FTA Community
Chicago families are part of Forest Trail Academy’s broader Illinois community. Learn more about FTA for Illinois students here →
Online High School in Chicago, Grades 9 to 12
Most Chicago families who search for online school are looking for high school. 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. Enrollment is open year-round, so a student can start any week rather than waiting for a semester.
Students in Chicago who are behind on credits can use online credit recovery to make up individual courses without repeating a year. Families moving mid-year can follow the sequence on our switch schools mid-year page. Tuition runs $3,069 to $4,269 per year depending on grade level, with monthly payment plans from $236 for elementary, $286 for middle school, and $336 for high school, plus a one-time $225 registration fee. See the tuition page for the full breakdown.
Programs Available to Chicago Families
All Forest Trail Academy programs are fully online, self-paced, and open for enrollment year-round.
