Home > FAQ's > Parent FAQ’s

Parent FAQ’s

Q: Are you Accredited?

Answer: Yes, our accreditation is derived through a partnership with Grand Rapids Christian High School of Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS) has is a member of Christian Schools International (CSI) and has been accredited by NCA (North Central Association) since 1926.

Q: What are the credentials of Christian High Online teachers?

Answer: All of our teachers are state high school certified with active teaching certificates. Many of our teachers have earned their master’s degrees. Teachers are also Christian High Online certified via our Online Teacher Training program. Our teachers have a love for Christian education and students, and desire to use technology and new tools to reach students.

Q: Do you offer a diploma?

Answer: No. Christian High Online is designed to supplement high school education with high-quality online courses taught from the Christian perspective. We are happy to partner with other schools by providing individual courses to the host school as a way to complement their existing program and course offerings.

Q: Do you offer financial aid?

Answer: No, not at this time.

Q: Do students have to be online the whole time they are working? Can the student download the lesson resources for off-line viewing and work?

Answer: No, they do not have to be online the whole time; much of the student’s work can be done easily offline.
Some of the student’s time might be spent reading or completing assignments. Much of the required work can be done on a word processor program and saved. When it is time to hand it in or when it is time to post to the appropriate discussion board, work can be attached to the ‘dropbox.’ Most of the student’s time would be spent finding out their assignments, doing any online reading or research required, reading/replying to course mail, participating in online discussion boards, working on group projects or even joining a non-required chat session with their teacher and fellow students.

Q: Do the students have interactions with other students?

Answer: Absolutely. One of the best ways for students to learn is from each other. Students will converse with their classmates regarding targeted topics that the teacher will post each week. Students will then have to respond to those questions as well as respond to some of their classmate’s responses and thoughts. Students may also be involved in group assignments or projects.

Q: What about time differences for chats?

Answer: Chat times are frequently non-required activities. For example, the teacher will post office hours within a chat room for any real time help that a student may need. The chat feature will be available for students to use when determining a strategy for conducting a group project. All of our instructors are aware of each student’s location so they can plan accordingly when considering student-friendly office hours.

Q: What grading scale is used and do you give report cards?

Answer: Christian High Online utilizes the conventional A, B, C, D and E grading system. For more grading details, please view our student handbook.

Q: Does the tuition fee include materials, books, etc?

Answer: No. The cost of books and any related course materials are in addition to the course cost. Books maybe purchased thru Christian High Online’s bookstore with MBS Direct or any store you choose. MBS Direct ships directly to the location you choose, they offer book buy back and students may purchase their textbooks via phone, mail, fax or the Internet.

Q: What forms of payment are accepted?

Answer: For online payment we use Pay Pal. Via our Christian High Online Pay Pal site, we can accept payment via the web with credit card or check. Payment must be made no later than one week prior to the start of the online course. Students will not be given access to their course until payment is made.

Q: If I withdraw from Christian High Online, can I get a tuition refund?

Answer: Yes, students who officially withdraw from their courses through the Christian High Online Office may receive a refund of tuition according to the following schedule

1. A full refund will be granted if withdrawal occurs prior to the first day of the course.
2. An 80 percent tuition refund will be granted if withdrawal from the course occurs after the course began, but prior to the start of the second week of the course (starting on Monday).
3. A 50 percent tuition refund will be granted if withdrawal from the course occurs prior to the first day of the third week of the course (Monday).
4. No tuition refund will be granted after the end of the designated drop periods listed above.

1. No tuition refunds will be granted if the participant is dropped from the program due to non-attendance or lack of participation.

   Students are required to complete a withdrawal request by sending an email listing name, date, course(s) to withdraw from and a reason for the withdrawal to the Christian High Online office email: registrar@ChristianHighOnline.org. We are not responsible for a delay in messages or lost messages, you will receive a confirmation from us within one business day of receiving your message.
   Students that drop the course after completing 50 percent of the class requirements and fail to take the final exam will receive an “E” for their final grade.

   Q: Is course work submitted through the mail, or email (or both)?

   Answer: All work is submitted online. Within our online environment, there are many ways to turn in assignments: an online “drop box”, discussion board, email, online quizzes and exams, just to name a few. Each teacher will provide you with a detailed course learning plan which will provide you with all of the details regarding how you will be evaluated and how to turn in assignments for their course. Only in rare occasions will U.S. Postal mail be used.

   Q: What are the age limits for Christian High Online? What grade levels does the online program offer?

   Answer: We do not have a specified age limit, but Christian High Online courses are intended for high school students. Each course offered does have a recommended audience, which may range from the ninth grade to some courses which are intended primarily for twelfth graders. For example the AP courses are generally intended for students in their final year of high school. Exceptions may be made on a per case basis.

   Q: What curriculum do you use?

   Answer: We do not use pre-packaged curriculum. All our courses are proven courses that have been taught in an in-seat classroom format and then converted into an online format. Our curriculum goes through a review process and evaluation by the Grand Rapids Christian School’s Curriculum Council. The curriculum used meet or exceed the standards required by the department of education and NCA (accreditation body).

   Q: What do you believe?

   Answer: Please see our Statement of Faith.

   Q: What if my child needs to talk to their teacher? How soon will the teacher respond to student questions?

   Answer: At the start of each online course teachers provide all students with specific chat room office hours, when they can expect to receive feedback and information on how to contact the teacher via phone if necessary. Typically teachers are actively logged into their courses at least once each day (frequently more than that). Students can expect teachers to respond to their question within 24 hours of the question being received (baring prior notice from the teacher stating a change in their typical schedule. For example, a holiday, a church event on a particular evening, a weekend getaway, etc.

   Q: What is the best way for parents to contact the teachers?

   Answer: When a student is enrolled with Christian High Online, the student receives a username and password to enter the course system. The parents will receive an email with the teacher’s information and contact information for Christian High Online. Parents may contact their student’s teachers at any time.

   Q: What if we have to be out of town, or go on vacation?

   Answer: If you are going to be out of town, and know ahead of time, please have your student inform their teacher the dates they will be out of town, giving as much notice as possible. Teachers do understand that this occurs in the online classroom and they will work with the student to make arrangements about how to deal with the work the student will be missing while he or she is gone.

   Q: Does Christian High Online support both Macintosh and PC users?

   Answer: Yes. Please see our minimum computer requirements.

   Q: Does Christian High Online support home schooled students?

   Answer: Absolutely!

   Q: Do Christian High Online teachers have split schedules between their traditional classroom and their virtual classrooms?

   Answer: No. Our teachers come from a variety of different settings and schools. Christian High Online teachers may be full-time online teachers or teaching online courses in addition to their teaching load at their base school.

   Q: Will all schools accept credits from Christian High Online?

   Answer: The transferring of credits depends on the school to which you are transferring the credit. Since Christian High Online pays special attention to meeting or exceeding the expected standards for our teachers, curricula, department of education and accreditation bodies, students should not have trouble transferring credits; yet students should get written verification from the school they wish to transfer the credits into to ensure acceptance. Our staff will work with you and your student to make sure the accepting school has all of the information it needs in order to make its transfer credit decision.

   Q: When does my student have to do the work?

   Answer: Each course has specific start and stop times (for example Fall ‘06 14-week courses begin September 22 and end December 16). Each week your teacher will post assignments, reading, projects, discussion questions, etc. with posted due dates for that week or future weeks. The beauty of Christian High Online courses is that you will know your assignment due dates and you’ll get to choose what works best for you. For example if you have a project due Friday at midnight, you may choose after school on Monday, during lunch on Wednesday, and Thursday night at 9 pm.

   Q: Who will be in my students online class with me?

   Answer: Students will come from many different settings that include Christian Schools, public schools, and home schools from around the world. All students will be proficient in the English language.

   Q: What is the class size?

   Answer: Our courses will have 8 to 20 students in each course. Courses will be caped at 20 students to ensure quality and a low student/teacher ratio for success.