K12

What is K12?

K12 is the online school brand of Stride, Inc., which has run online schools since 2000. It works two ways. In many states, K12 powers tuition-free online public schools run with a state or district, often called virtual academies. Everywhere else, families can pay for K12 Private Academy, an online private school based in Reston, Virginia, that enrolls students in every state.

The difference matters. A K12-powered public school is public school at home, with state rules attached. K12 Private Academy is a private school with more flexibility and a tuition bill.

How it works

Students follow a school-year calendar and spend about five to six hours a day on lessons, live classes and independent work. State-certified teachers lead live sessions, grade assignments and track progress. A parent or other adult serves as the Learning Coach.

The Learning Coach role is the part families underestimate. K12 says elementary coaches typically spend 4 to 6 hours a day keeping a child on task, logging attendance and helping with offline work. By middle and high school, that falls to roughly 1 to 3 hours of oversight. Public school students also take their state's standardized tests.

What it covers

The Career and College Prep program adds career clubs, industry certifications and career coaching for older students.

Who it's best for

K12 fits families who want school at home, not homeschooling: a set curriculum, real teachers, deadlines and a diploma. It suits students who need structure and families with a parent home during the day. It is a poor fit if you want to pick your own curriculum, move at your own pace, or skip state testing. For that, look at online homeschool programs instead.

Pricing at a glance

K12-powered public schools charge no tuition. K12 Private Academy raised tuition for 2026–27: $5,995 a year for elementary, $6,995 for middle school and $7,995 for high school, with a 10% sibling discount. Part-time courses cost $1,150 to $1,350 each per year. The K12 pricing page breaks down fees and payment options.

Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?

If a K12-powered public school serves your state, you do not need funding. For K12 Private Academy, the school says families have used programs such as Arizona's ESA, Arkansas's EFA, Alabama's CHOOSE Act and West Virginia's Hope Scholarship. Each program sets its own rules and amounts, and some awards fall short of the new tuition. Save K12 to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to see which programs fit your family.

How it compares

The closest rival is Connections Academy, which also runs free online public schools; see our Connections Academy vs K12 comparison. Florida families should start with free Florida Virtual School. For a cheaper, self-paced private option, compare Acellus, and for a Christian accredited school, Liberty University Online Academy. See more online schools and the best online homeschool programs.