Penn Foster High School FAQs for Teens

It’s possible to graduate early depending on your learning style and how much time you dedicate to studying. Our self-paced classes allow you to decide how much studying you do and the time it takes to complete your diploma.

No, there are no scheduled class times, due dates, or deadlines. This high school is self-paced, so you’re in charge of when you study, how long it takes you to finish a class or assignment, and when to take exams.

When you complete the high school program, you will receive a nationally and regionally accredited diploma. Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited for grades 9 through adult by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA) and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

No, as soon as you’ve passed all your classes and paid your tuition, we’ll send your official diploma to you in the mail.

We hold a yearly celebration of all our graduates, so you can come to the ceremony if you meet eligibility requirements and can make it! Keep in mind that you won’t get your official diploma at graduation – it's just ceremonial!

We want you to be able to pick up where you left off, so we’ll take a look at your official school transcript and see which classes work. Visit our high school credit transfer page for more details.

Penn Foster classes are totally online and self-paced. Each subject may vary, but generally, you’ll read, take notes, complete assignments, and take exams. Each class is broken down into different lessons that you can tackle one at a time.

Yes! Whether you only need a few credits to graduate from your high school or you want to take summer classes to get ahead, Penn Foster offers a variety of individual classes that can help you reach your goals!

Yes, though it’s important to note that all colleges have different admissions requirements, so admission isn’t guaranteed . Before enrolling, it’s important to check with colleges and universities you may be interested in to see if they accept Penn Foster.

 

You can view the schools alumni have told us they’ve been accepted to after graduation to get a better idea of what kind of colleges have accepted our students in the past.

Graduates can pursue a wide range of degree programs, including associate and bachelor's degrees. Our partnerships with higher education providers University of Maryland Global Campus, National University, Sophia, and Southern New Hampshire University offer diverse program options in various fields. These partnerships help our graduates transition to college-level courses and degree programs with exclusive benefits and support.

 

Additionally, our alumni have been able to attend a variety of 2 and 4-year colleges after graduation! While we recommend checking with schools you’re interested in to see if they accept Penn Foster, you can check out this list of colleges our alumni have enrolled in!

Penn Foster High School graduates can enjoy various benefits from our educational partners, including:

 

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): 8-week asynchronous, online courses with multiple start dates per term, no SAT® or GRE requirements, a waived application fee for first time applicants, and up to 25% off on tuition.

 

Sophia: Access to DEAC-recommended courses that are designed to be transferred for college credit, self-paced learning with no deadlines, and a discount on the first month of subscription.

 

National University: 190+ career-relevant programs, financial aid opportunities, flexible 4- and 8-week online classes, and a 25% tuition reduction for Penn Foster graduates.

 

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Affordable tuition rates, financial aid for qualifying students, priority admissions support, and access to 200+ career-focused degree programs.

Each state has different options for online high school programs, some even through the public school districts. Most have set scheduling for study time as well as for taking exams. Penn Foster offers flexibly paced scheduling, meaning you study when it’s best for you and complete your tests once you feel you are well-prepared. As a traditional-aged learner, you can have your parent or guardian enroll you online. You’ll need to have an official copy of your transcript sent to us if you’ve already started high school to help you pick up right where you left off.

Yes, our teachers are available to help Monday through Friday. You can schedule an appointment with them through your Learner Center to talk through anything you’re stuck on!

A prerequisite for Penn Foster College is a high school diploma or GED, so while you’re still finishing your high school classes, you aren’t yet eligible to enroll in one of our college classes. You can, however, take electives that can help you prep for college!