Free Online Public Schools in Georgia

Georgia offers resident students the opportunity to take online public school courses for free. Below is a list of online schools currently serving elementary and high school students in Georgia. Most programs are free to residents, but one program may require students to pay a fee. To qualify for the list, schools must meet the following qualifications:

• Classes must be available completely online.
• They must offer services to state residents.
• They must be funded by the government.

Virtual schools listed may be charter schools, statewide public programs, or private programs that receive government funding.

Georgia Connections Academy

This website for this online school notes that:

"Students throughout Georgia have the opportunity to thrive at Georgia Connections Academy Charter School, a tuition-free public cyber school. (The online program) gives students the flexibility to learn at home with an online curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards." 

The school offers:

• A curriculum developed by leading education experts
• Instruction from state-certified teachers experienced in online instruction
• Support from trained counselors, principals, and administrative staff
• Curriculum materials needed to participate in a dynamic online learning environment

Georgia Credit Recovery

The Georgia Credit Recovery Program gives students "who did not initially succeed in obtaining course credit" the chance to earn credit toward graduation. The school notes that it provides:

• Flexible schedules
• Complete core courses, aligned to state standards, for which the student will demonstrate mastery before receiving a grade
• Some elective courses

The courses, however, are not taught by a teacher, and even though the program is publicly funded, students may incur a fee.

Georgia Cyber Academy

The Georgia Cyber Academy is for kindergarten through 12th-grade students and offers:

• Full-time, tuition-free online public education
• Support from state-certified teachers
• Students a chance to earn college credit while in high school in select courses
• High-interest courses that introduce a variety of possible careers
• A range of extracurricular activities

Georgia Virtual Academy

A tuition-free, online public school, Georgia Virtual Academy offers:

• Individualized learning plans targeted to each student's strengths and weaknesses
• Georgia-certified teachers who guide progress and tailor teaching to student needs
• An advanced-learner program
• The opportunity for qualified high school students to earn college credits
• Field trips, social activities, and clubs help students connect

Georgia Virtual School

Georgia Virtual School is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education's Curriculum and Instruction Division. The program, operated in partnership with schools and parents across the state, offers over 100 middle and high school courses in the core content areas, world languages and electives as well as a number of AP courses. The school also has online media and guidance centers

The school also offers some flexibility in course schedules, including:

• For fall and spring, students can choose an 18-, 16-, 14- or 12-week schedule.
• For fall and spring, Advanced Placement courses are only offered on the 18-, 16- or 14-week schedule.
• For summer, students can select either a six- or five-week schedule.