Approximately 750,000 students drop out of high school each year in the United States.

On average, a high school dropout earns $20,241. That’s $10,386 less annually than a high school graduate. And $36,424 less annually than those with a bachelor’s degree.

The numbers go further.

The average unemployment rate for a high school graduate is 8.5%. For a high school dropout, the rate is 12%. If there’s one thing to conclude, it’s that earning your high school diploma matters.

GED stands for general education development.  Not general equivalency diploma, as many seem to think. A GED is earned by taking and passing an exam that usually costs about $70. Once you complete the exam, you have a certificate recognized by employers.

An online diploma is not the same as a GED. It is, however, the same as a high school diploma.

What is an Online Diploma?
An online diploma is no different than a traditional high school diploma. It’s simply earned online. Keep in mind this only applies to private or public charter online schools who are accredited, as Primavera is.

Is it better to earn a high school diploma online over getting a GED? Take a look at the stats below.

In most instances, students drop out of high school because of an outside circumstance. It can be due to negative experiences, an illness, disability or family obligations. Whatever the circumstance, the traditional high school model was not working for the student.

That’s where online high school is crucial to reducing dropout rates and helping students succeed. The personalized support from teachers, flexible schedule and ability to study at home make earning an online diploma much more doable for many.

Personalized Support

Behind a successful high school graduate is a number of dedicated instructors. But as class sizes increase, distractions increase, while the teacher’s availability wears thin.

Online school allows for a more personalized approach to learning. Instead of focusing on 30+ students from hour to hour, online teachers conduct online seminars, but the majority of their day is focused on individually helping students understand the material.

For more information on Primavera’s personalized support instruction model, head to this article.

Flexible Schedule
Online students are not tied to the usual traditional school schedule of 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. They do have to work just as hard as traditional students, but they can choose when and where to do so.

This is most appealing to struggling and excelling students with time-demanding activities. Some are aspiring professional athletes, while others work to support their family.

These students work hard to balance their lives, but it’s only possible through online school.

Study at Home–Safe Environment
There are many instances that make studying at home necessary for some teens. Online schooling provides the teens who need a safe, comfortable environment with the ability to still earn their accredited high school diploma.

If you have dropped out of high school, there’s a good chance it’s not too late to earn your online diploma. You do not have to complete high school in the traditional four years. Students can attend online high school until they are 22 years of age. 

If you are nearing 22, give Primavera a call anyway. We have programs in place to help you recover credits quickly.

Learn more about catching up on credits with Primavera›