Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some answers to common questions about our Online High School Diploma, Adult High School Programs and online make-up or Summer School Courses.
Excel High School welcomes all ages: from middle school students through adults seeking a high school diploma and career college credits. Enrollment into Excel High School is quite simple and only takes a few minutes.
All applications must be completed in full and signed digitally during the enrollment process. Once your application is received by an enrollment counselor, we will contact you via email or by phone call within 24-hours to plan your or your student’s desired course(s). Course access will be granted once payment for the course(s) or program has been received by Excel. Excel High School accepts all major credit cards and debit cards for tuition payments. Students can expect to have online course access within 24-hours, but in most cases, access is provided much sooner.
Download the Excel High School Catalog Here (PDF)
Excel Education Systems holds district/systems accreditation for all Excel schools.
- Cognia Accreditation
Excel High School is Regionally Accredited by Cognia, the parent organization for the North Central Association CASI, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools CASI, and the Northwest Accrediting Commission. Our online middle school (6-8), our Regionally accredited high school diploma (9-12), and all credits earned at Excel High School are accepted by other K-12 schools, colleges, universities, the U.S. military, and employers.Cognia/North Central Association CASI, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools CASI, and the Northwest Accrediting Commission are accrediting agencies recognized by the State Department of Education, CHEA, and the United States Department of Education.You can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation Process at www.cognia.org - Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools Accreditation
Excel High School completed the full accreditation process with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the summer of 2022. Excel's MSA accreditation is valid for seven-year cycles and renews in 2029. See MSA-CESS for more details.
Excel High School accepts transfer credits from other Department of Education recognized, accredited high schools, public schools, charter schools, qualified homeschools, and from accredited international schools recognized by a foreign Ministry of Education.
In compliance with accreditation standards, Excel High School accepts up to 75% of transfer credits toward high school graduation. This means that regardless of how many credits a student has earned from a previous school, students must complete a minimum of 6 credits at EHS before a diploma is issued. Of those 6 credits, 2 can be from elective options, but students must earn 1 credit each in the core subjects: English, Math, Social Studies, & Science.
Excel High School offers online middle school, college preparatory high school diploma 24-credits, a standard high school diploma 21.5-credits, and an adult high school diploma program 21.5-credits. Excel High School also offers college in high school and ACE College Credits, so students can earn college credits while completing a high school diploma.
Our fully accredited programs are designed for students to pursue higher education through a community college, career college, technical college, or a university. Credentials earned at Excel High School are also designed to meet requirements for entry-level employment and to join the military under tier one preferred status. We advise students to call our counseling office at (952) 465-3700, so we can help them with college and career planning. Students seeking entrance into a 4-year university, we offer a university prep (24-credit) diploma. Excel High School does not provide a GED ® test leading to a GED ® test credential. The GED ® test HiSET and other high school equivalency programs are only available in person at a local State testing office.
For non-native English speakers, Excel High School offers online ELL (English Language Learning) middle and high school courses to support students as they sharpen their English skills and prepare for success in university.
Good news: Students can earn a State recognized, accredited high school diploma online through Excel High School. Excel High School accepts previous GED scores toward high school credit.
If you are considering the in-person GED test, Excel High School does offer online GED Test prep to get you prepared. We can help you to prepare for the GED exam, or you would also have the opportunity to complete the adult high school diploma online.
**Excel offers grades 6-8 for online middle school.
We also encourage you to consider Success Coach Pro for your child to ensure success. Click here for more information about choosing your classes.
Participating in an accredited online school will take effort and determination. Students will need access to a computer/laptop and have access to high-speed Internet. Mobile devices will not work for all aspects of Excel's online courseware. Essential to program completion are the following:
- A Computer or Laptop
- High-Speed Internet Access
- A Positive Attitude and the Desire to Succeed
We also encourage you to consider Success Coach Pro to help your child improve their grades, stay on track throughout the school year, and have access to individualized support.
Yes! Excel High School has a solid reputation within the academic community. Our graduates are able to pursue employment, post-secondary education, or join the military using their EHS diploma. All colleges, universities, and employers accept credentials issued by a Regionally Accredited High School. Excel High School’s Accreditation is recognized by all 50-States Departments of Education, the Department of Defense, and the US Department of Education.
Excel High School enrolls students ages 11+ for online middle school and ages 14+ for online high school. Middle school students must be age 11 and have completed 5th grade to enter Excel Middle School. For high school level programs, Excel is accessible to students anywhere in the US who have completed 8th grade.
As an accredited international high school, international students make up a good part of our student body. As long as you meet Excel's minimum admission requirements and have determined that you would be a great online student, we invite students from any location around the world to enroll at Excel High School. We do not set any geographical boundaries, so international students wanting to transfer credits from outside the US system follow a specific process. Please click here for credit transfer evaluation.
We also enroll students who are still working on their English mastery. Students whose first language is not English must have English language mastery equivalent to the 8th grade in the American system, but Excel High School does not require TOEFL test scores for admission. Click Here for Excel's credit transfer policy.
Excel thrives on diversity; our unique student body is what sets us apart from other traditional American online high schools. We offer a well-rounded online learning experience through a large variety of courses. We serve students all over the world and are experts at working from a distance.
You can start today! Excel High School online courses are self-paced, and because of our open enrollment policy, they can be taken at any time. Our online high school diploma program is geared toward today's busy lifestyle, and we offer a great deal of flexibility to our students. Adult high school programs can be completed faster than traditional high school.
Smartphones and tablets are very powerful devices but may not be the best device to complete all parts of online courses. Some of Excel High School’s courses have applications that require a computer, which is particularly true with final exams and writing assignments. Although most sections of Excel’s online courses can be accessed anywhere you are on a cell phone or mobile device, students have to plan ahead since final exams and written assignments must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer.
Excel High School has been delivering online courses for twenty years, so we have plenty of experience with developing digital courses that work well for most learners. Successful online learners must be motivated self-starters who are committed to the success of their education. While Excel High School offers a world-class education, each student is ultimately responsible for their own success. That can only be achieved by putting forth effort. Like anything, the more effort you put into your education, the more benefit you will receive.
Before you decide whether our college-prep courses, high school diploma programs, or online credit recovery courses are right for you, we suggest that you take our quick assessment: Is online learning right for me? You should also consider how many classes you have to take.
YES! Both full- and part-time students can enroll at Excel. Excel High School offers part-time enrollment for students looking for options to either get ahead, work on credit recovery, or take summer school courses online. We want to help students graduate on-time!
It is our intention to provide students with whatever level of service they require. We can offer a full curriculum for grades 6-12, Standard and Honors courses, or just one or two courses to satisfy your current school's graduation requirements. We also offer self-paced credit recovery courses and supplemental courses to help you complete your high school diploma.
Our online courses and high school diploma are also an excellent option for homeschooled children. We offer all of the courses required to graduate with an accredited high school diploma accepted at colleges and universities, in the workplace, and with the U.S. military. Click here for more information.
We offer flexible and affordable payment plans. (Excel High School is the most affordable Regionally accredited online high school)
Adult High School Diploma Online Enrollment ages 18+ is: $ 99.90 per month
* Flexible monthly payment plans of $ 99.90. The program includes highly qualified instructors.
Full-Time Standard High School Diploma Enrollment ages 14-18 is: $ 1690 per school year
* Flexible monthly payment plans of $ 169.00. The program includes highly qualified instructors and access to online tutoring.
Full-Time Honors High School Diploma Enrollment ages 14-18 is: $ 1890 per school year
* Flexible monthly payment plans of $ 189.00. The program includes highly qualified instructors and access to unlimited online tutoring.
Full-Time AP/Honors High School Diploma Enrollment is $ 2690 per school year or $ 269.00 per month on the payment plan
* The program includes highly qualified instructors and access to online tutoring and success coach.
Dedicated Enhanced Success Coaching $ 1,000 per school year, which includes regular checkpoints and one-on-one Zoom meetings to ensure academic success, SAT/ACT testing assistance, and college admission planning.
Online Middle School - $ 1590 per grade level or $ 159 per month on the payment plan.
Flexible monthly payment plans of $ 159.00 x 10, for the middle school program. The program includes highly qualified instructors and access to unlimited 24 x 7 online tutoring.
Part-time High School/Summer School/Credit Recovery Courses $ 225-$549 USD
Click Here for Dual Enrollment and College Courses
GED ® test Prep Online Course to prepare for the GED ® test $ 169.00
ACE College Credit Courses $ 249.00 each for 3-semester credit.
* Excel High School offers affordable payment plans for all full-time, online programs.
You will notice the cost to attend Excel High School is less than half the cost of comparable accredited private high schools in the US. It is our goal to keep education affordable for everyone. Since we are able to keep our costs low, we pass these savings on to our students. We have no buildings to maintain, other than our administration offices; staff, and facilities, we have no schools buses to operate; we do not employ a facilities maintenance crew; we do not offer school lunch programs; so you can quickly see how we can be such an affordable option.
First of all, Excel High School is a tuition-funded, non-public school. Unlike public schools, Excel does not receive State or Federal funding. Like many colleges, our school system is supported by tuition paid to the school. EHS offers flexible and affordable payment plans. Excel High School is one of the most affordable Regionally accredited online schools. We do our best to keep costs low for our students and their families. We also offer tremendous value for the money.
Accredited, Online non-public schools are never free.
Public schools are funded by the States and Counties. As a non-public school, Excel High School does not receive government funding. As such, EHS is directly supported by student tuition.
The State pays for public schools through age 18. Students over 18 no longer qualify for public high school and must pay out of pocket. There is no financial aid for non-public, adult, online high school diploma programs. There may be free programs in your local area.
We do our best to keep our tuition low while providing exceptional, high-quality online high school programs.
Yes, Excel does offer convenient and affordable interest-free monthly payment options. You can choose to pay in full or our pay over time option when you enroll. Please call an enrollment counselor for details at 952-465-3700. There are no interest payments on Excel's programs.
For starters, Excel High School is an accredited school system. This means subject-matter experts and talented instructional designers develop our online courses. Our middle and high school courses contain online learning content, digital textbooks, video, and audio lectures, simulations, games, interactive exercises, and authentic assessments. As students progress through online courses, assignments and assessments are graded along the way, and feedback is provided. You can be sure that quality in digital learning is our #1 goal!
Excel's courses are aligned and mapped to state standards.
Excel High School delivers an exceptional digital learning experience. Our online courses include digital textbooks, audio and video lectures, digital activities, and simulations that make the learning experience engaging and fun. We use a state-of-the-art learning management system that offers access to a wealth of digital learning resources. When help is needed, students can always create a support ticket for assistance. Middle and high school students even have access to our online tutoring platform available for extended hours throughout the day. Click here to see the grading scale we use for students.
Excel’s college-preparatory curriculum parallels what you would take in a traditional American high school. However, Excel offers students much more flexibility for earning their high school credits, and we offer some of the best digital curriculum available anywhere.
Simply put, no! As an accredited American high school, Excel offers a flexible alternative to traditional accredited high schools for students, not an easier option. At Excel, every student has a "front row seat." All courses are written at or above grade level and require an average of one hour of focused daily study for students to complete them within their allotted time frame. Our courses engage students in real-life projects and requiring the use of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired.
Absolutely! We strongly feel that a parent's involvement in their child's education is critical to their overall success. Parents have access to the Parent Portal, where they can always check on their child’s grades and progress. Parents can also submit a support ticket if questions arise.
In addition to independent access to your student’s progress, parents are encouraged to contact the school with questions. We also recommend that parents consider Success Coach Pro to ensure their child's success with online courses and college planning.
Excel students are athletes, performers, military families, and other students who benefit from individualized instruction. Our program is ideal for students who need to focus on a few classes at a time, who need a little extra time to focus on their work, or who prefer to accelerate. We offer a perfect program for international students seeking an American high school diploma, part-time students looking for a way to earn individual credits, students who travel, adult high school students who wish to earn their diploma, homeschool families searching for a solid curriculum, and summer school students who need to make up credits quickly.
Excel partners with public and private schools in the US providing online options for their students. We also offer adults an opportunity to complete their education online through our adult high school diploma program. Our adult high school diploma programs are geared for those adults who see the value of completing their high school diploma on their own schedule, at their own pace, and 100% online.
For those needing a GED ® test prep course to prepare for the GED ® test, our GED ® test prep course offers an excellent opportunity to prepare for the official in-person test.
Please call our admissions office for information concerning the online high school programs we offer.
If you are seeking online high school courses based on a Christian worldview, we recommend checking out Northgate Academy. Northgate Academy offers accredited online high school programs for families seeking a private, Christian education. Northgate is also a great choice for homeschooled families seeking an accredited and nationally recognized private high school.
Excel is pleased to offer online middle school courses for grades 6-8. Excel Middle School serves students in grades 6, 7, and 8 with online middle school courses designed to engage young learners. Excel Middle School courses are a great option for online middle school. Please click here for more details. Consider adding a Academic Success Coach for your child.
Excel offers dual high school/college enrollment opportunities with Excel's ACE-recommended credits. Excel High School offers 20 ACE recommended college credits that may transfer to other accredited colleges and universities.
Students may also take Advanced Placement (AP) courses which are dual college credits, transferable to other colleges and universities. Click here to learn more.
After graduating from Excel High School, we recommend you check out Excel's post-secondary options at Washington Technical Institute. WTI offers online college-level certificate and diploma programs in Technology, Business, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, and Health Care. Earn a career college diploma or undergraduate certificate today at WTI and start a new career in a matter of months!
Effective immediately, all written assignments, including, but not limited to: essays, case studies, and multimedia projects will be submitted to AI (Artificial Intelligence) detection, in addition to the already existing plagiarism detection. We are committed to helping all our students learn to properly paraphrase, reword, and cite sources so that they are prepared for both today’s workplace and the quickly changing workplace of the future. For more information, see our AI Policy page.
Ready to Enroll? How Do I Get Started?
Further Questions?
Send us a Text/SMS at 952-465-3700, email us at [email protected] or call us at 800-620-3844. Excel High School is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Excel Education Systems, Inc.