Based in the United States, Forest Trail Academy is a top-rated accredited online high school for grades Kindergarten to 12. It offers learning solutions for students with unique learning needs and homeschoolers. As this online school creates a learner focused alternative for students using the virtual medium.
Through virtual learning, students can carry on their education along with their personal goals. The Academy takes them beyond the restraints of traditional schooling. And they can continue pursuing their interests without affecting their education.
Accreditation & Recognition
Forest Trail Academy is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), through ‘Cognia‘.
Accreditation is important, as it assures students and parents that the academic credentials issued by the school are globally acknowledged and accepted by colleges, universities, and employers.
You can view the school’s accreditation certificate here.
Other Accreditations:
- Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA CESS)
- Accreditation International (Ai)
- The National Council for Private School Accreditation
Features and Offerings:
This online school segregates it’s programs in the following:
Elementary school (for age groups 5 to 11 years). Subjects taught- Math, Science, English, and Social Studies.
Middle school (grades 6,7 and 8). Subjects taught- Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts. In addition, students can also opt for extra subjects over and above the regular curriculum.
High school (for grades 9 to 12). This program includes a core curriculum, AP (Advanced Placement), electives, and foreign language courses.
6 months summer program to make up for lost credits. Students who seek approval from their private/public school can take up to 2 credit recovery courses per semester.
Forest Trail offers two different types of Online High School Diploma programs:
| College Prep Online High School Diploma Program (Credits 24) | General Ed Online High School Diploma Program (Credits 21) | ||
| Minimum Credits required (core content areas) – 24 | Accelerated graduation program | ||
| Minimum Credits required (rigorous-level courses) 14 out of 24 | Minimum Credits required (rigorous-level courses) 11 out of 21 | ||
| Foreign language credit required- Yes | Foreign language credit required- No | ||
| Courses | Credits | Courses | Credits |
| English | 4 | English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 | Mathematics | 4 |
| Science | 4 | Science | 3 |
| History | 4 | History | 4 |
| Fine Arts | 1 | Fine Arts | 1 |
| Health | 1/2 | Health | 1/2 |
| Personal Fitness | 1/2 | Personal Fitness | 1/2 |
| Foreign Language | 2 | ||
| Electives | 4 or more | Electives | 4 or more |
- International School Diploma for international students without the need to relocate to the U.S. They can earn an American school diploma by enrolling in this program.
Forest Trail Academy Fee Structure
The programs run under Forest Trail Academy are in compliance with the bylaws of the NCAA. And its curriculum is also NCAA approved.
A look at the fee structure of its programs:
| Payment Plans | ||||||
| Details | Full-Time programs | Semester tuition | ||||
| Grades | Fee | Down Payment | 11 Months Payment per month | Fee | Down Payment | 5 Months Payment per month |
| K-5th | $1,900.00 | $300.00 | $146.00 | $1,030.00 | $300.00 | $146.00 |
| 6th to 8th | $2,600.00 | $350.00 | $205.00 | $1,375.00 | $350.00 | $205.00 |
| 9th to 12th | $3,200.00 | $400.00 | $255.00 | $1,675.00 | $400.00 | $255.00 |
| Others: |
| Registration Fee $150.00 (per student enrollment) |
| Summer school program 1 credit costs $550.00 per class |
| Summer school program 1/2 credit costs $405.00 per class |
| AP Courses cost $600.00 per class |
| Extension Fee: |
| 1 Week – $70.00 1 Month – $260.00 3 Months – $600.00 |
Reviews & Testimonials
Karen Mesa
Brian Norman
School Highlights:
• Online Sessions and Support
For teacher support, Forest Trail Academy offers a customized app. Students can log in, get their assignments, check the reading material, and lecture tutorials etc. The school does not disclose any schedule or number of online classes conducted by the teachers. However, there is a feasibility for students/parents to contact teachers through chats, e-mails phone, and other mediums.
As a visionary platform, Forest Trail Academy provides both remediation and instruction to its students. As a result, the self-paced programs offered are a good choice for at-risk or disabled students.
• Homeschooling Programs
Forest Trail Academy also offers two types of homeschooling programs, the ‘Secular Corresponding Courses are available for K-8 grades. And its ‘Christian Correspondence Homeschool Curriculum’ can be opted for grades 1 to 8.
• Credit Recovery Courses
Credit recovery individual online courses are also a great option for students. And they can transfer course credits to other schools as well.
• Advanced Placement Courses
The school also offers 9 Advanced Placement Courses for high school students. For Advanced Placement Courses students can choose their courses. But they need to register directly with the College Board for the test.
Tuition for these courses is $600.00 per class.
Points to Note Before Applying
- Forest Trail Academy is a private school registered with the Florida Department of Education. If you are a Resident of Florida, you are also eligible to enroll in ‘tuition-free’ public virtual schooling alternatives.
- The school curriculum in Forest Trail Academy is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.
- Students from military families can avail special discount of $100.00. It is applicable to children of all veterans and active duty personnel. They need to provide a valid military id while enrolling one or more students.
- The courses are labelled as ‘asynchronous’ on the school’s official website. However, some of the fees are mentioned with synchronous classes charges.
Final Thoughts
As a prominent online private school, Forest Trail Academy has a lot of choices for students, such as summer programs, diploma programs or K-12 education, etc. The school manages to convince the stakeholders with most of its promises. However, we suggest you clarify a couple of points like the credit transfer between institutions (both regionally and nationally accredited) and the count of virtual sessions provided, etc.
If you are satisfied with all the open points, you can certainly enroll in the accredited programs of Forest Trail Academy. And once you master the art of learning through an online medium, you will be able to strike the right balance between your interests, ambitions, and education.
Connect with the school to know more about its online programs. Website: https://www.foresttrailacademy.com/