What’s the Difference Between Online High Schools and Homeschooling?
What makes them different at the core
Online high schools are structured programs run by accredited schools, with official curricula, certified teachers, grades, transcripts, and diplomas. Homeschooling is led by the parent or guardian, who selects or creates curriculum, sets schedules, and often issues their own records based on local laws.
Control & responsibility
In online high school, instructional design, teaching, grading, and assessments are managed by the school. Students follow a schedule or pacing system provided by teachers.
In homeschooling, parents carry most of the responsibility: teaching, designing lessons, deciding how rigid or flexible each subject’s pace will be.
Curriculum & accreditation
Online high schools typically use curricula that are accredited and recognized by higher education institutes and employers. Homeschool programs may or may not be accredited depending on how they’re set up, especially if there’s no affiliation with an accredited school.
Social interaction & support
Online high school often includes teacher feedback, peer interaction through live classes or forums, organized extracurriculars, and the possibility to work with guidance counsellors. Homeschooling can also allow these, but families usually must arrange them on their own—co-ops, community groups, local classes, or informal meetups.
Flexibility & pacing
Both models offer flexibility, but in different ways:
Online high school provides structure around deadlines and courses, with flexibility in when and where you complete work (especially in asynchronous formats).
Homeschooling often allows complete control over pacing, daily schedule, choice of materials, and sometimes skipping or accelerating topics based on student interest or mastery.
Resources & teacher expertise
Online high schools provide access to teachers trained in delivering digital or virtual education, tech platforms, feedback systems, and in many cases student support (help desks, counselling, tutoring). Homeschooling may rely on what the parent can provide, and sometimes outside tutors, but often lacks the same built-in support systems.
How Ogburn helps clarify your choice
If you’re exploring whether online high school or homeschooling suits you better, our blogs on How to Find an Accredited Online High School and How to Start Online High School With Busy Parents can help you weigh accreditation, support, flexibility, and family involvement. Ogburn provides a structured, accredited online program so you get teacher-led instruction, recognized credentials, and systems in place—features you’d need to build yourself in many homeschool settings.
FAQ
Is online high school considered homeschooling?
No. While both happen at home, online high schools are run by accredited educational institutions with certified teachers, while homeschooling is parent-led and often less formally structured.
Can homeschooling offer the same academic recognition as online high school?
Sometimes, if the homeschool program is accredited or affiliated with recognized institutions. But many homeschool setups don’t provide officially recognized diplomas or transcripts unless linked with an accredited online program or homeschooling partner.
Which is better for students who need structure?
Typically, online high school gives more external structure—fixed deadlines, teacher oversight, grading. Homeschooling offers more freedom, which older or more disciplined students may prefer, but requires strong self-management and parental involvement.
How do social opportunities compare?
Online high schools often include peer interaction, virtual clubs, teacher contact, and organised events. Homeschooling can offer rich social experiences, but these usually must be sourced outside the home via clubs, co-ops, or community programs.
What about cost and resources?
Online high schools often have tuition or fees, tech requirements, and structured platform costs. Homeschooling may seem cheaper in some cases (fewer fees) but can require investment in curriculum materials, tutors, and extracurriculars, plus substantial parental time.
Conclusion
The key difference between online high schooling and homeschooling comes down to who designs and delivers the education, how credentials and accreditation are handled, and how much structure vs flexibility you want. If you're looking for officially recognized credentials, teacher-led instruction, and built-in support, online high school is often the simpler, more guaranteed path. Homeschooling offers unparalleled control and flexibility, but demands more from the parent or caregiver in creating and maintaining academic standards.
