The Potter's School
A nonprofit, Middle States accredited Christian online school founded in 1997 that offers nearly 200 live online courses, mostly for grades 4–12, including AP and college dual credit. Families pay tuition per course and can add an optional Diploma Partnership.
What is The Potter's School?
The Potter's School, usually called TPS, is a nonprofit Christian online school founded in 1997. It was one of the first online course providers for Christian homeschoolers. Its mission is "academic excellence and biblical virtue."
TPS is accredited by the Middle States Association as an independent private school, not just a course provider. That lets it issue accredited transcripts and high school diplomas. It says students in all 50 states and more than 70 countries use its courses.
How it works
Classes meet live online and are recorded when possible, so a student who misses class can catch up. Teachers handle all teaching, grading and feedback. Parents supervise, manage the schedule and, for middle and high school credit, proctor exams at home.
Each course can be taken two ways:
- TPS credit. Attendance, assignments and exams follow TPS standards, and the course goes on an accredited TPS transcript.
- No TPS credit. Your child gets the same teaching and feedback, but attendance and exams are optional, and you record the course on your homeschool transcript. AP courses aren't available this way.
Students who take their high school courses at TPS can join the optional Diploma Partnership, which adds college and scholarship application support.
Expect real work. TPS designs high school courses for about 8 to 10 hours a week each, middle school courses for 6 to 8, elementary courses for 4 to 6 and AP courses for 10 to 12. Students need a laptop or desktop with at least a 13-inch screen and a wired headset.
What it covers
TPS lists nearly 200 courses across English, math, science, history, Bible and worldview, global languages, computer programming, art and music.
| Program | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Elementary classes | Upper elementary students, about 4–6 hours a week per course |
| Middle and high school | Core and honors courses toward a transcript |
| AP courses | College Board authorized, with recordings for schedule conflicts |
| College dual credit | Full-year courses; college credit and fees optional |
| High Scholars | Two-year great books program, 24 college credits, grade 10 and up |
Who it's best for
TPS fits Christian families who want serious, teacher-led classes and an accredited transcript, whether for one subject or a full high school plan. It is a weaker fit for families who want self-paced lessons, a secular perspective or flexible refunds.
Pricing at a glance
TPS charges per course, and each price is listed in its course catalog. We couldn't access current per-course prices in October 2026. Families pay a $75 registration fee once per school year. Full-year tuition is billed in thirds, and each installment is non-refundable once it's due. A small tuition assistance fund covers up to one-third of a course.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Sometimes. In 2024, TPS said it was registered with the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account and New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts. It also said Florida's Step Up program told it live online courses weren't an allowed use. Program lists change, so ask TPS for its current registrations. Each program decides.
Save The Potter's School to your wishlist to compare it with other online schools.
How it compares
- Wilson Hill Academy is also live and Christian, but fully classical, with 90-minute classes twice a week.
- Veritas Scholars Academy is classical Christian with live, self-paced and parent-taught formats.
- Laurel Springs is a secular accredited private online school with flexible pacing.
- Liberty University Online Academy is a Christian online school that is mostly self-paced.
Who The Potter's School is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Christian homeschoolers who want rigorous live high school courses
- Students building a competitive transcript with AP, honors or dual credit
- Families who want an accredited diploma option without full-time enrollment
- International students who need a U.S. accredited diploma
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a self-paced, anytime program
- Secular families or those who prefer a neutral perspective
- Students who need a light workload
- Families who need flexible refunds
The Potter's School pros and cons
Pros
- Live classes taught and graded by teachers; parents don't grade
- Middle States accredited, NCAA approved and UC A-G approved
- Nearly 200 courses, including AP, honors and dual credit
- Choose TPS credit or no TPS credit per course
- No late fees, interest or payment-plan fees
Cons
- Current per-course prices are only in the catalog
- Tuition installments are non-refundable once due
- High school courses take about 8–10 hours a week each
- Tablets and phones aren't enough for class
- Live class times can be hard across time zones
What’s included
- Nearly 200 live online courses, recorded for occasional absences
- Take any course for TPS credit or no TPS credit (except AP)
- Optional Diploma Partnership with college and scholarship application support
- College Board authorized AP courses and college dual credit courses
- NCAA approved core courses and University of California A-G approval
- High Scholars: a two-year great books program worth 24 college credits
How much does The Potter's School cost?
TPS charges tuition per course; each course's price is listed in its online course catalog, which we could not access in October 2026, so check the catalog before you plan. Families also pay a $75 family registration fee once per academic year with their first enrollment. Some courses add a resource fee for digital textbooks. Full-year tuition is billed in thirds: at enrollment after placement approval, July 15 and November 15. Fall, spring and summer courses are billed in halves. TPS says it does not run sales or early-bird discounts.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-26. Always confirm on the official site.
Can a scholarship pay for The Potter's School?
In 2024, TPS's financial aid page said it was registered with Arizona's ESA and New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program, and that Florida's Step Up program had told it live online courses were not an allowed use. Ask TPS for its current list. Each program decides.
No program on Edulist lists The Potter's School yet. Save it to your wishlist and we’ll tell you when one does. Many state ESAs let families buy products like this directly; each program decides.
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The Potter's School FAQs
How much does The Potter's School cost?
TPS sets tuition per course and lists each price in its course catalog. Every family also pays a $75 registration fee once per school year. Some courses add a resource fee for digital textbooks.
Is The Potter's School accredited?
Yes. TPS is accredited as an independent private school by the Middle States Association. It is also a College Board AP-authorized school, has NCAA-approved core courses and is a University of California A-G approved school.
Is The Potter's School Christian?
Yes. Its mission is to foster academic excellence and biblical virtue, and it teaches from a biblical worldview. Expect that perspective in every subject, including science and literature.
Can my child take just one course?
Yes. Most families take one or a few courses. You can choose TPS credit, which goes on an accredited transcript, or no TPS credit, where attendance and exams are optional and you record the course on your homeschool transcript. AP courses must be taken for credit.
What is the TPS Diploma Partnership?
It is an optional path for students who take their high school courses at TPS. It leads to an accredited TPS diploma and adds support with college and scholarship applications.
Are TPS classes live?
Yes. Classes meet live and are recorded when possible, so an occasional absence can be made up. Credit assumes regular live attendance, though AP and college courses can be taken with relaxed attendance for time zone conflicts.
Can I use an ESA for The Potter's School?
In some states. In 2024, TPS said it was registered with Arizona's ESA and New Hampshire's EFA. Ask TPS which programs it works with now. Each program decides.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-26 against these sources:
- at-tps.org · about tps
- at-tps.org · accreditation certifications
- at-tps.org · diploma partnership
- at-tps.org · how tps courses work
- at-tps.org · when how to pay tuition fees
- at-tps.org · tuition fees payments refunds
- web.archive.org · financial aid
- at-tps.org · courses
- homeschool.com · the potters school online