Stanford Online High School
- REDWOOD CITY, CA
Online School
Stanford Online High School Reviews
Rating 4.65 out of 5 160 reviews
All Categories
The academics are rigorous, and some teachers are great. However, the middle school advisor and counselor are almost non-existent. You can’t pick an appropriate course to enroll like at JHU CTY or other advanced schools. Here you have to wait for a small window of period to take a placement test that takes a very long time to grade. Some of their placement tests are irrelevant to the courses being placed in. Many times the courses are full. It’s hard to get the course and the section that work for you. The class registration system is the worst we have seen at any school. The advisors are slow to respond to emails, and sometimes they don’t even respond to an urgent inquiry about class add/drop. All class adds and drops have to go through the advisor, unfortunately. A teacher is also slow to respond (days) to students about questions on assignments or problem sets. It seems like they do not care about the students at all.
Academics at Stanford Online High School are rigorous and challenging. Teachers are great! Students are involved in many clubs and activities.
Stanford Online High School has an encouraging student body and rigorous academics, preparing us well for college. However, the teachers are subpar, the resources are limited, and overall, the environment is extremely cutthroat.
Stanford OHS provides a unique, rigorous, and unparalleled education at a very high level. As a Junior going into my 3rd year (single course) I have absolutely loved my time at OHS. The instructors are the best I have ever had, the students are all some of the most wonderful, hard-working, and intelligent people I have ever made, and the courses are just fascinating. Although I have not been and will never be a full-time student at OHS for reasons that have nothing to do with the school my single course experience has been absolutely incredible. It has completely changed my perspective on life, and I would not take any of it back for the world.
That said it is incredibly rigorous and not for everyone. I spent 10+ hours on work as a single course student, and while I do not have lived experience of full time - if you do not love learning and school you will find an incredibly academic environment that pushes you hard.
That said it is incredibly rigorous and not for everyone. I spent 10+ hours on work as a single course student, and while I do not have lived experience of full time - if you do not love learning and school you will find an incredibly academic environment that pushes you hard.
Stanford Online High School is a high-level school with ambitious students, skilled instructors, and top-tier classes. Despite being online, Stanford OHS's connections between students and teachers are impressive due to the Adobe Connect platform that it uses. Classrooms feel both organized and personal, and the online aspect of the school allows student from all over the world to participate and learn.
Stanford OHS is a rigorous academic environment that promotes curiosity through every academic subject. The courses offered at the school are fascinating and so unique, especially the Core track classes (interdisciplinary courses) that are required for every full time student. The teachers have an amazing curriculum for every class, and a flipped classroom method helps classes be much more engaging and enjoyable. Students prepare before class with readings, homework, and bigger projects, and class time is used more as a discussion space for diving deeper into the material. The community at the school is also very good. All of my peers are so interested in our classes and excited to learn, which is something I’ve found very different from other schools. It is really refreshing to be around people who share my love of learning. Overall, OHS creates an amazing learning environment through every course.
Stanford Online has been a great experience for our son. The school is supportive, flexible, and motivating. It is a complete high school experience. Stanford is more of a community than we thought possible through an online school. The upper-division classes are challenging, but the instructors are amazing. They challenge students but they also inspire them. My son has developed a passion for science that I didn’t have until much later in life. A year ago he was resigned to college, but uncertain and nervous about what it would involve. Now he is insistent on going to Berkeley and has decided he wants to major in chemistry. He has developed a new certainty and purpose that make us confident he will do great in college. Most schools have good classes, but few build such a complete, inspiring experience. We are grateful for the passion, confidence, and joy in learning we found at Stanford Online.
This place is great! They take care of everything. Get rates from alumni parents. 10 is RSI, 80-100 for Stanford Yale MIT, 10 for waitlist -cheapest option but must wait for results. Kids who didn't make it to any UCs went to Brown, Columbia. Most families opt for part time one course for teacher letters.
My daughter is a student at SOHS this year and it has far exceeded even our high expectations. This school is definitely only a good fit for students that are highly academically gifted, but for these kids, it’s invaluable. My daughter is finally being challenged. The education here is superior to anything I’ve seen in the country. Grades are honest (not easy or crazy inflated as they were at her old school). Students here will likely find college to be a breeze. The atmosphere is collegial and supportive. I highly recommend this school if your child is academically gifted and not having their needs met where they are.
Stanford Online High School is an excellent academic school, although it is somewhat lacking in student support.
I've been enrolled at OHS for three years now, and I've had the privilege of experiencing all three different enrollment options here (single course, part time, and full time) each for one year.
I'm sure many have heard of the rigorous academic curriculum at OHS - and they aren't joking. The high school and AP courses, especially, are very demanding, although also extremely rewarding. The vast majority of my teachers have been proven to be very advanced and knowledgeable in their fields.
As for the social aspect of OHS: it's hard to grasp, but adequate as long as you are tangibly present during class discussion (and in Skype chats, which are the students' main form of communication). It's even worth it to join a couple clubs, although not all are very active. Really, the best advice I could give in terms of social exposure while at this school is to join a couple extracurriculars outside OHS - especially if you're enrolling full-time.
I'm sure many have heard of the rigorous academic curriculum at OHS - and they aren't joking. The high school and AP courses, especially, are very demanding, although also extremely rewarding. The vast majority of my teachers have been proven to be very advanced and knowledgeable in their fields.
As for the social aspect of OHS: it's hard to grasp, but adequate as long as you are tangibly present during class discussion (and in Skype chats, which are the students' main form of communication). It's even worth it to join a couple clubs, although not all are very active. Really, the best advice I could give in terms of social exposure while at this school is to join a couple extracurriculars outside OHS - especially if you're enrolling full-time.
While obviously the academics are excellent, the school assigns an insane amount of homework and leaves almost no time out of school to do extracurriculars or have a life in general. I went to OHS full-time in middle school and had up to 45 hours of homework per week. I had to change to a public school for high school (it's still top 5 in the state) and had a third of the homework, if that. I'm now a single-course student and one class there is manageable enough. If you love socialization and having a life outside of school, OHS isn't for you
Academics are good but social interaction is lacking. Our daughter made some friends this year. Grading is strict, families seek help with outside tutors. Overall B+.
While, overall, I felt challenged by the academics of Stanford Online High School, I feel that it was lacking in some regards. Because of it's online nature, it's difficult to have a social life. Though the school tries to combat this with online meetings and the occasional in-person meetup, it is simply not the same. I appreciated the English and Philosophy classes more than any others. While I was significantly ahead in English to begin with, I was always challenged to be better and better. However, the STEM courses were hit-and-miss. Some were amazing, but others were simply terrible.
My son attended for all four years of High School. I would say he is more than prepared for college. The core required courses are reason enough to attend the school. The teachers are excellent and the courses are rigorous. This is not for casual students. Fall behind and you may never catch up. The area where the school is lacking in college counseling. But most schools do an average job in this area. Kids get into the ivies but if that is your goal you could go to an easier school and have a higher probability of being at the top of your class. Any kid here would be at the top of their class else where. For the movivated intelectual student I don't know of a better place .
Instructors are passionate and content is wonderful. I feel like I could be myself in excellent classes, and peers are a great support. I highly recommend attending the school for the said purpose above.
However, I have a few complaints:
1. One of the counselors is absolutely terrible. My friend told me he said "I'm sorry you feel that way" when they talked about a personal experience. He did not empathize with them, and they expressed their dislike for him not empathizing for them, leading to the said comment. Seriously, counseling is needed for students to feel like they are being understood. I strongly do not recommend counseling.
2. A friend of mine got sexually harassed at a in-person event. The harasser is still getting an education.
3. Another friend got hurtful comments from a student. Counseling did not help my friend, instead trying to put them in a mental hospital. The school does not look after students (sexual/mental).
Other than that, I highly recommend attending.
However, I have a few complaints:
1. One of the counselors is absolutely terrible. My friend told me he said "I'm sorry you feel that way" when they talked about a personal experience. He did not empathize with them, and they expressed their dislike for him not empathizing for them, leading to the said comment. Seriously, counseling is needed for students to feel like they are being understood. I strongly do not recommend counseling.
2. A friend of mine got sexually harassed at a in-person event. The harasser is still getting an education.
3. Another friend got hurtful comments from a student. Counseling did not help my friend, instead trying to put them in a mental hospital. The school does not look after students (sexual/mental).
Other than that, I highly recommend attending.
I love Stanford OHS, from its academics, its faculty, to its wonderful community. It's an amazing school for those who love learning and love being challenged. Besides its rigorous courses and workload though, there are so many opportunities to reach out and meet new people. Despite it being an 'online' school, I've met my best friends at OHS, people who I've formed long term connections with and plan to stay in touch with throughout life.
I am a full time student at OHS and the one thing I think is the most impressive thing @ my school are my fellow students. The teachers are amazing but I get really motivated when I talk to my OHS friends. Everyone who gets in and, most importantly stays in, especially those who do full time, are smart. But it’s more than that - they are interesting! Everyone has a passion for something. Also, b/c everyone is so different, they are not easily intimidated by others success which breeds an atmosphere where they help each other. Some of the best feedback I get on my papers is from my friends who will proof drafts & offer suggestions. The only thing that is frustrating is there is NO grade inflation!! At some other top HS, I hear no one can get a C or D. (Saw friend’s school profile & only 1 C in the class is normal) At OHS, you work for every point. Hear it helps in college but it’s hard now when we are applying out to college!
Getting good grades at this school is hard. Though my daughter was ok, many can not achieve their college dreams because of the unfair and harsh grading policies of this school. Even if your daughter is the smartest and like us you are attracted to the brand name, watch out. Grades are very important to college admission and there is a risk. Also, this school is appropriate if you are extremely left wing.
Fantastic school and we couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Our child enrolled full time in their middle school program and we can only say great things about it. Teachers are caring, inspiring, and outstanding, most holding higher degrees in their fields. Program is challenging, but classes well organized and fun. Our child enjoys them all, is thriving, and has learned more this year than ever before. We picked this school in search of a better STEM program, but were impressed by their program in humanities as well (for example, they offer philosophy in middle school). Extracurriculars are great too and there are many clubs, activities, and opportunities to connect with other students from around the world.
There is no doubt that our child will get the best possible education here. (I work in a higher education, at one of the top universities, and have a good perspective on pre-college education).
There is no doubt that our child will get the best possible education here. (I work in a higher education, at one of the top universities, and have a good perspective on pre-college education).