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High School

Bullied, Anxious, or Falling Behind? Why Students Are Choosing Online Learning This Back-to-School Season

A traditional high school isn't for everyone, especially if you're dealing with bullying, mental health struggles, or anxiety. Online high school can be a good fit if you need something different.

Des Sinkevich

Aug 04, 2026

12 min read

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For many teens, high school is a time to make friends, discover new interests, and prepare for the future. But for students who are being bullied, it can feel like a place that brings worry and makes it hard to feel at ease. When you're focused on getting through the school day, it's hard to focus on learning.

No one should have to choose between feeling safe and getting an education. For some students, online high school offers another path, giving them the chance to earn their diploma in a supportive environment where they can focus on their future instead of the challenges they face at school.

Why traditional school does not work for every student

Public high school is meant to work for as many students as possible, meaning that your school is built to meet the needs of most students but doesn't necessarily have options to help learners who need something different.

The real reasons students leave traditional school

There are several reasons students want to leave traditional school and, most of the time, those reasons have nothing to do with how smart or motivated they are.

Mental health struggles.
Going to school when you're struggling with depression or anxiety can feel like an uphill battle. Many teens deal with mental health, so you aren’t alone!
Family or personal issues.
Whether you've got personal or family issues, school can often take a backseat to what you're dealing with in real life. You may miss more school days than you should and, after a while, it may almost seem better to just drop out and focus on life over your education.
Falling behind.
Sometimes, falling behind in high school has nothing to do with how capable you are. Maybe your classes move too fast, life outside of school has gotten in the way, or you haven't had the support you need to succeed. When a traditional classroom isn't the right fit, it's easy to feel left behind.
Learning challenges.
If you're managing ADHD, dyslexia, or are neurodivergent, a regular school system just might not feel like the right fit. You need classes that move at your speed, but you're stuck working at the speed of your classmates instead.
Bullying.
While TV, books, and social media may often make it seem like high school should be the best time of your life, for a lot of kids, it's the opposite. When you're dealing with bullying – whether in-person or online – focusing on class and homework is probably the last thing you're worried about.

What happens when the environment is the problem

For kids who struggle with social anxiety or try to overcome constant bullying, school can feel like an unsafe environment. That's in no way your fault or the fault of concerned parents. Sometimes, the school just isn’t able to provide the safe space you need.

While your school and your teachers want to help you and make a difference, a lot of the time making that happen is much more difficult than it should be and, in the end, finding another learning environment may be a better option.

How switching to online high school made a difference for real students

An online high school can offer a lot of benefits for someone who is struggling with a standardized schedule, bullying, or any other issues. Earning your high school diploma online lets you be independent and avoid distractions without pressure. While there's always resources to help you if you need it, you don't have to deal with the social pressure, anxiety, crowded hallways, and cliques that can come with public high school.

"Switching online has honestly been the best thing that has happened to me," 2026 Penn Foster High School grad, Cassandrason W., said. "I remember my senior year of high school being the worst and I was wondering how I was going to make it through. If it wasn’t for me taking Penn Foster, I wouldn’t know where I would be right now."

Online education may not be the right fit for every learner, but for many students who need more time and space to succeed or just want to do it their way, it can be a gamechanger.

Real students who found a better way

If you're thinking of making the switch to online school but still aren't sure if it's the right fit, hearing from other people who experienced similar journeys can help!

Talia S., a 2026 Penn Foster High School graduate, was in a similar place before she made the switch to online school. " I didn’t think i was ever going to make it to this point after a strenuous journey of mental health and not being taken seriously by teachers leading me to failure," she said. "Graduating has been my biggest priority since I was a little girl, barely able to comprehend what that meant. Now here I am, finished with high grades and ready to take on my next goals."

Here's what some other real 2026 grads had to say:

“Bullying left me feeling lost..."

Another recent grad, Niyana F., also struggled in public school and knew she needed something different. She found Penn Foster and was determined to create a better future for herself.

"My experience with Penn Foster has taught me far more than academics alone. It has strengthened my confidence, independence, and determination to overcome obstacles. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn at my own pace and achieve goals that once seemed impossible," she said. "Completing my education in such a short amount of time* is one of my proudest accomplishments, and it has shown me what I am capable of when I stay focused and committed."

“I have a successful future ahead of me..."

Ryleigh, who also graduated this year, was sure she would never graduate because of what she dealt with in her high school. " During 9th grade," she shared, "I was bullied relentlessly on the daily. I couldn’t get a second of peace from anyone. Penn Foster saved me from having to return to constant ridicule and hatred. I will forever be grateful because I don’t know if I would have made it out of my public high school. I am now graduated at 17 years old, and it was all because of Penn Foster."

“Online school helped with my social anxiety...”

Jackson also had similar experiences, but online school allowed him to still reach his goals while dealing with his mental health. " When I moved, my social anxiety made it almost impossible to go to school, but online classes changed that for me. Please keep moving forward, no matter what."

“I finally proved I could do what everyone said I wouldn’t!”

If you're worried that you won't be able to overcome what you're dealing with right now, here's some words of encouragement and advice from a few other recent Penn Foster grads:

"My name is Leeya and I graduated at 15 after going to online school due to being in a toxic relationship and dealing with bullying. Never in a million years did I think I would make it to graduation, let alone graduate at 15. I am beyond proud of myself and can wait to see what the future holds for me!" - Leeya K., 2026 Penn Foster High School Graduate

"After many years of getting bullied, I finally proved I could do what everyone said I wouldn’t! EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON." - Starr P., 2026 Penn Foster High School Graduate

"After being bullied a bunch and thinking my life was over, I finally graduated! Super excited to continue on into college and my life. Always remember, you can do it! Never doubt yourself, you’re your biggest enemy. Love yourself and believe you can do it all! - Alivia A., 2026 Penn Foster High School Graduate

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Is online high school right for you?

To figure out if switching to online learning is right for you, try asking yourself a few questions.

How is traditional school affecting me? If what’s happening in your current school is impacting your progress and potential for success, then it might be time to make a change.
How do I learn best? If you’re someone who wants to control the pace of your studies or knows you can learn well independently, online school could be a great fit.
What kind of support do I need? Do you need to have a teacher guiding you or are you more of an independent learner? Online school allows you to learn on your terms and schedule, but support is still available when you need it.
What do I want my school experience to feel like? In an online high school, you can determine what the day looks like, whether that’s helping around the house in the morning and studying in the afternoon or making time for hobbies or interests around your study time.

Questions to ask before enrolling

When you're checking out the options out there, you and your family want to ask a few important questions before enrolling.

Is the school accredited? Legitimate high schools, whether online or in-person, should have regional accreditation. You’ll want to make sure the school is acknowledged by one of the regional accreditors like
1. Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges
3. Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
4. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)
5. Western Associate of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
6. Cognia
Schools may also have national accreditation, like the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
What is the format like for classes? To make sure you know what to expect, you’ll want to find out what the format is like. Are classes completely online? Are they self-paced or do you need to attend classes at certain times?
How can I get help if I’m confused or stuck? Where can you go if you want to ask a teacher questions or need help with a tricky subject? What is the student support like and are there additional resources that can be helpful even after hours?
Is the diploma from this school recognized by colleges and jobs? If the school is properly licensed and accredited, your diploma is more likely to be recognized by colleges and employers, but it's always worth confirming.

Red flags to avoid

There will be some online high schools out there that sound way too good to be true. While you're comparing schools and looking for options, look out for things like:

Lack of accreditation or no clearly named accreditor
Guarantees and promises that they can’t back up with proof
Unclear graduation requirements
Promises of instant diplomas or impossibly quick graduation timelines
Schools that try to pressure you into making a decision or enrolling right away
Strange pricing and tuition costs, or schools with a lot of add-on fees

What if I already missed a lot of school?

You're never too far behind to finish high school. If you've already missed a lot of school, you can catch up with an online program! For example, with Penn Foster High School, you can pick up where you left off, even if it's been a while since you've been in school. As long as you've completed some high school, you could have credits transfer in. Even if you don't have credits or haven't gone to high school yet, you can still enroll and start at the beginning.

Learn more about how transfer credits work.

Will I have support if I struggle?

Online school can be very independent, but that doesn't mean you're left to figure out everything on your own!

Penn Foster has dedicated high school teachers and staff who are here if you need some help. You can reach out to them any time through your Learner Center for questions or even set up an appointment to speak to them one-on-one in a video call.

Will employers and colleges accept an online diploma?

Yes. Penn Foster High School is an accredited online high school, and its diploma is generally accepted by employers and many colleges. Because every college sets its own admissions policies, students should always check with any schools they're interested in attending to confirm their specific requirements.

How Penn Foster High School supports students who need a different path

At Penn Foster High School, students who need a different way to learn or want more flexibility can find success.

Because it's flexible, you can make sure you get the most out of your classes. Whether that means taking your time to really grasp what you're reading in your lessons or moving quickly through courses you're confident about, you can decide how to make it work for you. You'll be able to study any time 24/7/365 and take high school with you wherever you go.

Read More: 2025 Penn Foster Impact Report

Accreditation and legitimacy

Penn Foster High School is accredited regionally by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and Cognia. It's nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Accreditation means a high school has been independently evaluated and meets recognized standards for providing a quality education. It helps ensure that the diploma you earn is respected by colleges, employers, and other institutions. While it's not a guarantee that every college or job will accept an online diploma, having recognized accreditation can make a difference.

What Penn Foster graduates say

Whatever your past experience in school, you can build your confidence and feel proud of your accomplishments when you graduate from Penn Foster. You can make learning work for you and you're in charge of your education, giving you the opportunity to make the most of your time in high school!

"After having a hard experience at school," 2026 grad, Nathalie B., said, "switching to Penn Foster it made me feel like I was actually smart enough to succeed and live my life happily and healthy."

In 2025 alone, over 45,000 people from around the country graduated from Penn Foster High School.¹ Many of those grads, from teens like you to adults who couldn't finish high school back in the day, then went on to find better jobs, go to college, join the military, or accomplish dreams like playing sports professionally or pursuing creative interests. 97% of those graduates would recommend Penn Foster High School² and 97% said they achieved their goals.³

What finishing your diploma actually changes

Having your high school diploma can open more doors for your future, allowing you to have a real chance at making your goals and dreams a reality. After getting that official piece of paper, there is college, career training, a first job, military service, or simply the chance to move into adulthood with more confidence and fewer doubts. You have options.

Just having your high school diploma alone can be a huge help when you're looking for jobs and can make a difference in how much you can earn. Someone who has graduated has the potential to earn almost $10,000 more per year than someone who doesn't.

"After dealing with high school drama," 2026 grad, Emy, shared, "I made the decision to switch to online school. I stayed focused, worked hard, and took full advantage of all the resources available to me through the Penn Foster High School program.

Today, I am proud to say that I am graduating with a 4.0 GPA!

This experience taught me that anything is possible when you take initiative and take control of your own life. Never let obstacles define your future—let your determination do that."

Like Emy, you don't have to let the obstacles in your way right now determine what you can do tomorrow or a year from now. With your diploma in hand, the future is wide open and full of possibilities.

Get more information about Penn Foster High School by filling out this form! Or, if you're ready to get started today, have a parent or guardian give our Admissions Specialists a call at 1-800-275-4410 to help you enroll.

¹ Based on internal data for all Penn Foster High School graduates in 2025.
² Based on data from a 2025 Penn Foster Group End of Program survey of Penn Foster High School completers, where completers are considered those who have completed are the necessary requirements to finish their program.
³ Based on data from a 2025 Penn Foster Group End of Program survey of all programs.
* Not all students will finish the curriculum quickly. Since Penn Foster High School is a flexible, self-paced program, students can study and learn around the schedule that works for them. Depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to your courses, you may be able to finish within a shorter period of time. Currently, the average timeframe to complete the high school diploma is between about 6 –14 months. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2019 - October 2020, excluding withdrawals.