What are Smart Schools admissions requirements?

Students admitted to Smart Schools must be at least 11 years of age and show a school transcript, homeschooling portfolio, or standardized test scores indicating at or above 6th-grade level performance in all subject areas.

Does Smart Schools have an age limit?

There is no maximum age limit. We welcome all ages with a minimum age requirement of 11.

Can we enroll in Smart Schools if we live outside of the United States?

Yes. Smart Schools welcomes students from a variety of geographic areas. If you are not a US citizen we have Smart Schools International. Please visit smartschools.us for more information.

Is there a deadline to enroll in Smart Schools?

No. Smart Schools flexible program allows students to enroll online 24/7. Or, call 1-844-4675278 to speak with an Orientation Counselor during business hours, or email your enrollment form to us. There is no specific timeframe when you must enroll.

Is the GED better?

The GED, or General Equivalency Diploma, is the name of a company that administers a type of exam that assesses basic high school competencies. In most cases, students need to pass a series of exams in order to achieve their GED. Smart Schools is not a GED program. Instead, we help students achieve their high school diploma. In some cases, the GED and a high school diploma are interchangeable, but in others, a high school diploma is required. Oftentimes, a GED can unfairly bias a potential employer against hiring you

How long does it take to get started?

You can begin your classes right away. All you need is a computer with access to the Internet and Microsoft Office software. Once you enroll, you'll receive access to our exclusive online learning system to immediately begin your first course. All students begin with an online Orientation.

Can I transfer my credits to another high school?

Because Smart Schools is fully accredited credits should be easily transferable. However, acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of the individual school.

Will my credits be accepted by colleges and universities?

College acceptance is based on multiple factors — the level of challenge in the curriculum, grades achieved, the quality of your college application and essays, activities and leadership roles outside of school, etc. Smart Schools gives all students the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma, which is a basic requirement for college acceptance.

Can I transfer my credits to another High School?

Because Smart Schools is fully accredited credits should be easily transferable. However, acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of the individual school.

What is the process for getting transcripts?

Once your enrollment application is received we immediately send requests for your records to all of the schools that you attended. It is important to list all of your schools, their locations, and the years that you attended. Often, though, the schools need information or authorization from the student before they will supply these important documents. If you are able to supply unofficial transcripts when you enroll it will help this process immensely. It can even save you money on your tuition!

What is the status of my transcript?

It is important to check in with your Orientation Counselor often, they will be able to give you updates on the status of your record acquisitions and assure that you are in the appropriate courses.

Is Smart Schools Accredited?

Smart Schools is a fully accredited online private school providing junior high and high school curriculum at an affordable price. All of our courses are fully online. Smart Schools is accredited by Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSACESS). MSACESS is an accrediting division that is regionally accredited. We also have international accreditation that allows Smart Schools to educate international students in their national language.

Smart Schools is also accredited by the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS)

How can I double-check your accreditation, other than your website?

It is important that you have confidence in this program in which you are investing your time, money, and trust. We recommend that students always assure the veracity and legitimacy of any program they will be attending, especially online programs. Ways to verify this are: Check the websites of the listed accrediting agencies to assure that the school is currently accredited with them.

• Check the accrediting agencies’ veracity as well. While private schools are not overseen by any government agencies, the accrediting agencies should be recognized by state and federal departments of education.
• If you plan to attend a particular college, contact their admissions departments and ask them if they accept diplomas from a school that is accredited by the school’s accrediting agencies. Smart schools is accredited by:
• Middles States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Accreditation International

How is it determined if I need a tutor, what is that process?

Tutoring is provided in Math and English, included with your tuition. The teacher may recommend it based on their observations or you can request it if you feel like you could use some extra help. To schedule tutoring, contact your mentor, orientation counselor, or teacher for the subject that you are struggling with.

Is my diploma an actual diploma? What does it look like and how and when do I get it?

Yes, this is an ACTUAL diploma. You can see pictures of students that received their diplomas on our website, as well as images of the diplomas themselves. After you complete your last course, your mentor will submit your file for Graduation Clearance. The registrars will review your previously earned credits as well as your completed courses at Smart Schools to assure that your requirements have been met. The registrar will then clear you for graduation - that is the moment that you are officially a high school graduate! Your mentor will obtain information from you as to how you want your name to appear on your diploma and how you want to receive it. From the time that you complete your last class until you receive your diploma should be less than 2 weeks.

Is Smart Schools’ program self-paced?

Yes, our flexible online learning program allows students to study anytime and anyplace while completing as little or as much work as their schedule allows. Because our program is based on mastery, students have the ability to take as much time as they need.

Do I have to enroll in a full diploma program?

There is no requirement to pursue a full diploma program. We offer individual online high school courses - some students complete all their educational requirements with us, while others only join us for a class or a summer. Individual courses are right for you if you are looking to:

• Get ahead in your studies
• Take courses that are unavailable in your regular school curriculum
• Challenge yourself with honors or dual credit course
• Make up for missed classes
• Gain experience with online learning

Do you offer a payment plan?

Yes. Our payment plan is budget-friendly. This plan allows you to break your tuition into monthly payments with zero percent interest.

Are there any additional fees?

We keep fees to a minimum, simply covering our costs to process your application. That's it. Everything else is included in your tuition.

Are there any fees for textbooks?

No. Your eBooks and study materials are included in your tuition. You'll also receive access to our exclusive online learning system to immediately begin your first course.

Can I use the Arizona ESA voucher for tuition?

Yes! Qualifying students in AZ have access to the AZ ESA voucher program. Your Empowerment Scholarship Account can cover your tuition fees entirely. Learn more on this page: smartschoolsusa.org/esa. For additional questions regarding ESA, give us a call!

Do students in Arizona have to pay tuition?

Smart Schools was recently approved by the State of Arizona as a provider of the Arizona Workforce Diploma Program. This means that Arizona adults (21+) can freqently qualify to enroll in our program for FREE! Learn more or get started here: smartschoolsusa.org/arizona

How can I log in?

After you have been “activated” from admissions and your first course assigned, your Orientation Counselor or Mentor will send you an email with your login credentials. These included: Link to your SchoolDex account Username Password Contact your Counselor or Mentor right away if you have any difficulty.

How do I get started?

First, be sure to go through the orientation material that your Orientation Counselor or Mentor sends you. It contains valuable information that will guide you in starting your courses and how to navigate through the Smart Schools Program. After you have completed the orientation material, you can log in to your dashboard in SchoolDex. This will have your portal in which you will access your classes. This information will be provided after you become an active student.

How can I pay my tuition?

Your tuition is paid through an invoice that will be emailed to you 10 days before your tuition is due. Your tuition is due 30 days after your first course is active. (Be sure to log in and start right away, the tuition cycle starts when the course is assigned, not from when you start working on your course.) There will be a “button” on your invoice that will take you to the payment page. You can pay your tuition with credit or debit cards or through an ACH bank account transfer. Payment information is NOT stored, and we will not ever process a payment without your authorization.

How do I know when my tuition is due?

You will receive an invoice that will advise you, well ahead of time, when your tuition is due.

How many credits do I need to graduate?

Students generally need between 20-22 credits to graduate, dependent on their “cohort” requirements. The cohort requirements are based on the year that the student was originally going to graduate and the state where they last attended school.

What does “progress” mean?

You may hear your teacher reference your “progress requirements.” For the most part, Smart Schools students are not required to make progress, but these progress benchmarks can be helpful in keeping you on track. Be sure to check with your mentor or orientation counselor to see if you have a requirement to meet progress in your coursework. Even if you don’t have a progress requirement, remember that the more time that you invest in your coursework and your goals, the quicker you will earn your diploma and less money that you will have to pay in tuition!

What is my grade?

Your grade is reflected when you are logged into Edgenuity, but we encourage you to worry less about that number and focus on learning the material in the course. Grades are really meant to quantify your level of knowledge, and while we use them, we have amazing, experienced teachers that are focused on your understanding of the material and not on your grades.

What is CREW?

CREW (Credits Received for Electives by Working) is an opportunity for you to earn credits for any electives that you may need through work or volunteer hours. Check with your counselor or mentor to see if you may be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

What is a test-out?

A test-out is an opportunity for you to test out of a class. These are usually best employed for students that were homeschooled and don’t have earned credits for the material or if a student had full seat-time in a class but did not pass the course. In order to test out, students take a proctored final exam. If they achieve a passing grade, they get credit for that course.

What is a prescriptive exam?

The prescriptive exam is an assessment that is taken after the course is assigned but before the course starts. It is optional but may afford the student an opportunity to advance through the class quicker. This assessment determines what the student already knows about the course material and eliminates material that the student shows mastery in. It should not be considered a “grade,” the score does not weigh into the overall course grade.

How do I log into the proctor site?

Smart Schools provides a unique opportunity to take high-stakes exams from the comfort of their home and on their schedule through Proctor Key. Rather than having to come to the school or go to a testing center for these exams, students can have their exams remotely proctored using a cell phone or computer camera. MonitorEDU has a professional staff that will guide you through the process. They use your device camera to take the place of an in-person proctor. They are accessed through www.proctorkey.com

My exam is locked. How can I get in?

If you are in the middle of a course and are locked out, this may be because you made too many unsuccessful test attempts. Check with your teacher or mentor for guidance. If you are in a proctored exam that will not open, you will need to contact the proctoring agency, MonitorEDU.

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment is an opportunity for you to enroll in a participating college or university that will allow you to take college-level courses and also get credit toward your high school diploma.

How can I enroll in college?

Once you have completed your graduation requirements you will be awarded your diploma and transcripts. These will allow you to apply to colleges and universities worldwide. Each institution has its own particular admission requirements; we encourage you to research their requirements early to assure that you are taking classes that pave the way to that institution.