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 the leading online school serving students of Pennsylvania, other parts of nation, and abroad. It offers online education to students Kindergarten through Grade 12.The learning environment, teaching methodologies, curriculum benefit students in Pennsylvania and their families. We offer online elementary school (kindergarten – Grade 5), online middle school (Grade 6 – Grade 8), and online high school (Grade 9 – Grade 12). Along with full-time courses, we also provide Individual courses, Credit recovery courses, Summer school courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Online High School in Pennsylvania, Grades 9 to 12
Many Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Online Schools Compared With a Private Accredited Option
Pennsylvania runs free public cyber charter schools, and every district must also offer a cyber option, 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.
Pennsylvania does not currently appear on Forest Trail Academy’s published list of states whose education savings account funding we accept. Pennsylvania families exploring tax-credit scholarship programs such as EITC or OSTC should confirm eligibility with the program administrator and with our admissions team.
Pennsylvania families deserve a flexible, rigorous, fully accredited education option, and Forest Trail Academy delivers exactly that. Whether you’re in Philadelphia navigating crowded urban schools, in rural Erie seeking a broader curriculum, or anywhere in between, FTA’s Cognia-accredited online program gives your child the freedom to learn at their own pace without sacrificing college readiness. Founded in 2007 and trusted by over 10,000 students, FTA is the proven choice for Pennsylvania K-12 families who want more than their zip code can offer.
Pennsylvania Homeschool Law: What Parents Need to Know
Annual affidavit required. Portfolio or testing in grades 3, 5, 8, 11. Portfolio review by licensed teacher or evaluator.
In plain English, Pennsylvania’s homeschool law means you must file an annual affidavit with your local school district each year to declare your intent to homeschool. At specific grade checkpoints, 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 11th grade, your child must demonstrate academic progress either through standardized testing or a portfolio review conducted by a Pennsylvania-certified teacher or licensed evaluator. This is not as daunting as it sounds, and FTA is built to help you navigate it.
When you enroll your child at Forest Trail Academy, you receive structured coursework, grades, and detailed academic records throughout the year. These records form the foundation of a strong portfolio. FTA’s curriculum is organized, documented, and aligned to academic standards, meaning when it’s time for your annual portfolio review or assessments in grades 3, 5, 8, or 11, you have everything you need. Many FTA families in Pennsylvania find that our comprehensive record-keeping makes portfolio review far simpler than they expected. Note that Pennsylvania requires parents to file the affidavit independently, FTA can guide you through this process and connect you with resources, but the annual affidavit is filed by the parent with the local school district, not by FTA directly.
Why Pennsylvania Families Choose Forest Trail Academy
- Cognia Accreditation: FTA’s diploma is recognized by Penn State, Temple, Drexel, Villanova, Carnegie Mellon, University of Pennsylvania and all US public and private universities. Cognia (formerly AdvancED) also accredits traditional public and private schools nationwide.
- Self-Paced Learning: Students in Pennsylvania study on their schedule, perfect for student athletes, rural families, working teenagers, and families with medical needs. No bells, no rigid schedule, no missed lessons because of a bad day.
- Open Enrollment Year-Round: Start any week, no waiting for September in Pennsylvania. Enroll in January, March, or August, your child starts learning immediately.
- Full AP Catalog: Not the 1-2 AP courses a rural Pennsylvania school might offer, FTA’s complete AP catalog is available from any location in Pennsylvania, giving your student a competitive edge for college admissions.
- Certified Teachers: 80%+ of FTA teachers hold advanced degrees. The same teacher quality available to students in Philadelphia’s elite private schools is available to students in Clarion County or Cameron County.
- Proven Track Record: 19 out of 20 FTA graduates recommend the school. Founded in 2007, FTA has helped students earn diplomas recognized by 1,000+ colleges and universities worldwide.
Cities in Pennsylvania We Serve
Forest Trail Academy serves students across Pennsylvania including families from:
- Philadelphia: Philadelphia families choose FTA to escape overcrowded public schools and gain access to a full AP course catalog and individualized attention that large urban classrooms simply cannot provide.
- Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh families appreciate FTA’s flexibility, especially students involved in competitive sports, performing arts, or early college programs who need a schedule that bends around their ambitions rather than the other way around.
- Allentown: Allentown families turn to FTA for a consistent, high-quality curriculum in a district where school quality can vary significantly from one neighborhood to the next.
- Erie: Erie families in this geographically isolated region choose FTA for access to advanced coursework and college-prep rigor that local schools may not be able to offer at scale.
- Reading: Reading families, including many bilingual and immigrant households, value FTA’s flexible, self-paced model that accommodates students at different English proficiency levels while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
University Recognition in Pennsylvania
Forest Trail Academy’s Cognia-accredited diploma is recognized by Penn State, Temple, Drexel, Villanova, Carnegie Mellon, University of Pennsylvania, as well as all US public and private universities. Pennsylvania students who graduated from FTA have enrolled in Penn State, Temple University, Drexel University, and other leading institutions across the commonwealth and nationwide. Our Cognia accreditation is accepted by FAFSA, military recruiters, and employers nationwide, giving FTA graduates every door that a traditional high school diploma opens.
How Enrollment Works for Pennsylvania Families
- Contact Our Admissions Team: Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our team serves families throughout Pennsylvania and will answer your questions about curriculum, scheduling, and Pennsylvania homeschool compliance.
- Submit Transcripts: Previous school records evaluated, FTA handles credit transfer from any Pennsylvania school, whether public, private, charter, or cyber charter.
- Receive Your Curriculum Plan: An academic counselor creates your child’s personalized learning plan based on their grade level, academic history, and goals.
- Start Learning: Access all coursework immediately. No waiting. No start dates. Your child can begin their first lesson within days of enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions for Pennsylvania Students
Q: Does FTA enrollment satisfy Pennsylvania’s homeschool requirements?
A: FTA enrollment gives you the structured curriculum, grades, and academic records you need to fulfill Pennsylvania’s homeschool requirements. You will still need to file the annual affidavit with your local school district, this is filed by the parent, not the school. For assessment checkpoints in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11, FTA’s detailed coursework records are ideal for portfolio review by a licensed Pennsylvania evaluator. Many FTA families in Pennsylvania have successfully used our academic records for their annual portfolio reviews.
Q: Is FTA’s diploma accepted by Pennsylvania state universities?
A: Yes, Cognia accreditation is recognized by all Pennsylvania public and private universities including Penn State, Temple, Drexel, Villanova, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as 1,000+ colleges and universities worldwide.
Q: Can a Pennsylvania 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 transcripts and build a curriculum plan that picks up where they left off.
Q: How does online proctoring work for Pennsylvania students?
A: Fully remote webcam-based proctoring from your home in Pennsylvania, no testing center required. Proctored assessments are conducted online, giving Pennsylvania students in rural areas the same testing access as those in major cities.
Enroll from Pennsylvania Today
Forest Trail Academy has served families across the United States including Pennsylvania since 2007. Our Cognia-accredited diploma is your child’s path to any university in Pennsylvania and nationwide. With over 10,000 students served, open enrollment year-round, and a diploma recognized by 1,000+ colleges and universities, FTA is the trusted choice for Pennsylvania families who want an accredited, flexible, college-prep education. Open enrollment, start any week. Contact us at 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online.
FTA Students Across Pennsylvania
Forest Trail Academy serves families throughout Pennsylvania. Find local information and enrollment details for your city:
