Stanford Online High School
A selective, accredited online independent school at Stanford University for grades 7–12, taught in small live seminars that meet several times a week. Full-time tuition is $31,900 for 2026–27, with need-based financial aid.
What is Stanford Online High School?
Stanford Online High School (OHS) is an online independent school at Stanford University for grades 7 through 12. It was founded in 2006 with a gift from the Malone Family Foundation and added a middle school in 2009. More than 1,000 students attend each year from 48 US states and 47 countries. OHS is accredited by WASC and the California Association of Independent Schools.
How it works
Classes are small live seminars that meet several times a week. OHS states plainly that its courses are not asynchronous. Average class size is 12, with a cap of 17, and most instructors hold Ph.D.s. Outside class, students read, write and solve problems on their own, held to what OHS calls university-level standards.
Students must attend their assigned section, and missing more than 20% of sessions in a semester can cost credit. The schedule is built each year from student requests, and OHS says it meets more than 90% of them. Every student has an academic advisor and a wellness counselor.
What it covers
| Enrollment | Courses | Share of students | 2026–27 tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 4–5 yearlong | 46% | $31,900 |
| Part-time | 2–3 yearlong | 12% | $19,140 |
| Single course | 1 yearlong or 2 semester | 42% | $6,380 |
Full-time students on the diploma path take a Philosophy Core course every year and get a college counselor in junior year. The catalog spans English, history and humanities, languages, math, computer science and science. Middle schoolers can take math at any appropriate level, and some can take high school science.
Who it's best for
OHS fits curious, self-driven students who want rigorous discussion and writing, especially those who have outgrown their local options. Single and part-time enrollment work well for homeschool high school students who want one or two demanding live classes. It is not a diploma completion or adult program, and it is a poor fit for students who need to work at their own pace.
Pricing at a glance
For 2026–27, full-time tuition is $31,900, part-time is $19,140 and a single course is $6,380. Add books and materials (about $30 to $1,300) and optional events. The application fee is $100, and need-based aid is available; there are no merit scholarships.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
OHS offers its own need-based financial aid. Because it is a private school, its tuition may also count as an allowable expense in some education savings account programs, but each program decides which schools qualify and how much it pays. Save Stanford OHS to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the programs open to your family.
How it compares
Laurel Springs offers a broad, self-paced catalog with AP and dual enrollment at lower cost, with rolling enrollment. Davidson Academy is another option built for profoundly gifted students. For a free public route, check K12 or Florida Virtual School. Browse more online high schools and programs for gifted students.
Who Stanford Online High School is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Academically advanced students in grades 7–12
- Homeschoolers who want one to three rigorous live courses
- Students who love discussion and writing at a university level
- Athletes, artists and relocating families who need a full-time school anywhere
Look elsewhere if
- Students who need self-paced, flexible coursework
- Families who cannot meet tuition and do not qualify for need-based aid
- Adult learners or students seeking a quick diploma completion program
- Elementary-age children
Stanford Online High School pros and cons
Pros
- Live seminars with small classes, capped at 17
- Accredited by WASC and CAIS
- Flexible enrollment: full-time, part-time or one course
- Strong advising, wellness and college counseling
- Need-based aid that also helps with books and summer programs
Cons
- Expensive: $31,900 a year full-time
- Selective admission with essays, recommendations and deadlines
- Fixed live class times; missing over 20% of sessions can cost credit
- No admissions advantage at Stanford University
What’s included
- Accredited by WASC and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
- Live seminars, average class size 12 and capped at 17; not asynchronous
- Full-time, part-time and single-course enrollment
- Philosophy Core sequence for diploma students
- Academic advisor and wellness counselor for every student; college counseling for full-time students
- Need-based financial aid
How much does Stanford Online High School cost?
For 2026–27, Stanford OHS charges $31,900 for full-time enrollment (4 or more courses), $19,140 for part-time (2 to 3 courses) and $6,380 for a single course. Tuition is the same in middle and high school. Books and materials run about $30 to $1,300 depending on courses, and optional in-person events and Summer@Stanford cost extra. The application fee is $100, with waivers on request.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (4+ courses) | $31,900/yr | Yearly | $2,658.33/mo |
| Part-time (2–3 courses) | $19,140/yr | Yearly | $1,595/mo |
| Single course | $6,380/yr | Yearly | $531.67/mo |
| Application fee | $100 | One-time | — |
Free trial: None. Students apply through a selective admission process; a single course can serve as a trial before fuller enrollment.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistStanford Online High School family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
Stanford Online High School FAQs
How much does Stanford Online High School cost?
For 2026–27, tuition is $31,900 for full-time students, $19,140 for part-time students taking 2 or 3 courses, and $6,380 for a single course. Books, materials and optional events cost extra, and need-based aid is available.
Is Stanford Online High School accredited?
Yes. It has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 2010 and by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) since 2019.
Is it hard to get into Stanford Online High School?
Admission is selective. Applicants submit transcripts, two essays, a writing sample, two teacher recommendations and a parent questionnaire. Homeschooled applicants and those from non-English schools must also send a test score. For 2027–28, applications are due January 7, 2027.
Can homeschoolers take Stanford OHS classes part time?
Yes. Part-time enrollment of 2 to 3 courses is designed to supplement homeschooling, and single-course enrollment adds one class. Plan on about 8 to 10 hours per course each week.
Are Stanford OHS classes live?
Yes. Courses are small live seminars that meet several times a week, not self-paced modules. Students must attend their assigned section, and missing more than 20% of sessions in a semester can mean losing credit.
Does Stanford OHS help you get into Stanford University?
No. Stanford OHS says it is not a feeder school and gives no admissions advantage at Stanford University. Its graduates attend a wide range of colleges in the US and abroad.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: