Online Public Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools
Find a K12-powered
online public school near you.The Differences Between Online Public Schools and Traditional Public Schools
Considering a public school alternative for your student? As a leader in providing online learning to K–12 students, we’re here to answer your questions and help you determine if a K12-powered school would be a good fit for your family.
K12-powered online public schools share many attributes with traditional public schools. Key similarities include:
Tuition-free enrollment
Courses taught by state-certified teachers
Collaborative group work and project-based learning*
Social opportunities and extracurriculars
Online clubs and in-person events**
A traditional school year calendar, assignment due dates, and state testing
What makes online schools different are the things that might make it the right choice for your family.
Watch the video below and learn more about how online learning works!

For example, when you’re looking at online school vs. traditional school, K12-powered schools can provide:
- A personalized approach to your student’s learning
- More opportunity to organize your day around structured courses and assignment deadlines
- The ability to customize and control your learning environment
- Multiple course levels to provide the right amount of challenge
- A large variety of electives
- Career-focused courses through Destinations Career Academies*
- An opportunity for greater parent engagement as a Learning Coach
Is a K12-powered school the right public school alternative for my family?
We know that online learning isn’t for everyone, but it is here for anyone who needs it. And because every family is different, it’s not just about the pros and cons of online school versus public school, but choosing the right path for your student.
Take our self-assessment to find out if online learning might be a good fit for your family.
*Course materials vary by course and school.
**Extracurricular activities and clubs vary by school. Please check with your school.