Getting a head start on college doesn’t always mean waiting for your high school to offer the right AP or dual enrollment course. Online college courses offer students another way to begin college-level coursework before graduation.
So, can high school students use StraighterLine? Yes, high school students can take StraighterLine courses to get a head start on college coursework. StraighterLine offers online, self-paced courses across common college subjects, giving students the flexibility to learn outside the traditional school day and potentially earn credits they can transfer to their future college.
But taking college courses early requires some planning. Before enrolling, students and their families should understand how StraighterLine works, whether a course is appropriate for the student, and how a prospective college may accept the credit.
Here’s what to know.
How Does StraighterLine Work for High School Students?
StraighterLine provides online college-level courses that students complete at their own pace.
Rather than attending a scheduled class at a high school or college campus, students access coursework online and work through lessons, assignments, and assessments according to the requirements of the course.
Courses are available in common college subjects, including:
Many StraighterLine courses carry American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, meaning they’ve been independently reviewed and determined to be comparable to college-level learning by a major higher education organization. As a result, StraighterLine credits have been accepted at 3,000+ colleges and universities.
For high school students, that creates an opportunity to start working on potential college requirements early — particularly if they need more scheduling flexibility than a traditional dual enrollment program provides.
Use the Find Your College tool to check if the college or university you want to attend accepts StraighterLine credits.
Why Would a High School Student Take StraighterLine Courses?
Students have different reasons for wanting to begin college coursework early. StraighterLine can be particularly useful when flexibility or course availability is getting in the way.
Get a Head Start on College Coursework
Completing eligible courses before college can mean arriving with some college-level coursework already behind you. If those credits are accepted and apply to your eventual degree, you may have more flexibility when planning future semesters.
Take a Course Your High School Doesn’t Offer
Your school’s course catalog is naturally limited. You may want to study a subject that isn’t available locally or need a college prerequisite that doesn’t fit into your high school schedule. Online coursework can expand your options without requiring another in-person class.
Work Around a Busy High School Schedule
Between classes, extracurricular activities, athletics, jobs, and family responsibilities, fitting a college course into a fixed schedule can be difficult.
StraighterLine’s self-paced format allows students to decide when to work on their course rather than attending at a set class time. That flexibility doesn’t mean the work requires less effort. College-level courses still require students to manage deadlines, study independently, and understand the material.
Explore College-Level Learning Before Enrolling
Taking a college course in high school can also give students a better sense of what college-level expectations feel like.
It can be an opportunity to develop skills such as:
- Independent study
- Time management
- Reading college-level material
- Preparing for assessments
- Managing a longer-term academic workload
That experience can make the transition to college feel less unfamiliar.
Can StraighterLine Courses Count for College Credit?
Potentially. StraighterLine courses are evaluated and recommended for college credit by ACE, and StraighterLine credits have been accepted at more than 3,000 colleges and universities.
However, credit acceptance is ultimately determined by the college receiving the credit. That distinction is particularly important for high school students who may not know where they’ll attend college yet.
A future college could accept a StraighterLine course as:
- An equivalent course
- A general education requirement
- A prerequisite
- Elective credit
How the course applies depends on that institution’s policies and your eventual degree program. If you already have a list of colleges you’re considering, research their policies before choosing a course. StraighterLine’s college transfer resources can be a useful starting point, but confirming directly with the institution gives you the clearest answer.
Which StraighterLine Courses Make Sense for High School Students?
There isn’t one course list that works for every student. If your goal is to earn credits that could eventually contribute to a degree, start by looking at common college requirements rather than choosing courses at random.
Depending on your prospective school and degree program, options might include subjects such as:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Organic Chemistry
- English Composition
- College Algebra
- U.S. History
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Economics
If you already know where you plan to attend college, you can be even more specific. Review that school’s degree requirements and identify courses that may have established transfer equivalencies.
If you haven’t chosen a college or major yet, avoid assuming that a course will satisfy the same requirement everywhere.The goal isn’t to enter college with the largest possible number of credits. It’s to arrive with credits that are useful for the degree you eventually pursue.
Is StraighterLine the Same as Dual Enrollment?
Not exactly. Traditional dual enrollment programs typically involve a formal arrangement between a high school and a college or university. Students enroll in college courses that may count toward both their high school and college requirements, depending on the program.
StraighterLine is an online course provider rather than a college or university. That means students shouldn’t automatically assume a StraighterLine course will satisfy a high school graduation requirement simply because it may be eligible for college credit.
If you want a StraighterLine course to count toward your high school requirements, check with your high school or school district before enrolling. And, if your goal is future college credit, check with the colleges you’re considering.
What Should You Check Before Enrolling?
These are the practical steps to take before starting a StraighterLine course in high school.
1. Decide What You Want the Course to Accomplish
Are you trying to:
- Get ahead on a future college requirement?
- Complete a prerequisite?
- Explore a subject you're interested in?
- Add flexibility to your future college schedule?
Knowing the goal makes it easier to choose an appropriate course.
2. Research Potential Colleges
If you already have schools in mind, look at their transfer and alternative credit policies. Don't stop at asking whether they accept StraighterLine credit. Find out how the specific course could apply.
A course that transfers only as an elective may not accomplish your goal if you're trying to satisfy a particular general education requirement.
3. Check With Your High School if Necessary
If you expect the course to count toward high school graduation, get approval from your school before enrolling. Requirements vary by school and district.
4. Make Sure You’re Ready for College-Level Work
Self-paced learning gives you flexibility, but it also requires independence.
Think about whether you’re comfortable:
- Managing your own study schedule
- Keeping yourself accountable
- Working independently
- Asking for help when you need it
- Balancing college coursework with high school responsibilities
Taking one well-chosen course successfully may be more valuable than overloading your schedule simply to accumulate credits.
How Is StraighterLine Different From AP Courses?
AP and StraighterLine provide different routes toward potential college credit. With AP, students typically complete an AP course as part of their high school schedule and then take a standardized exam. Colleges determine whether a student's exam score qualifies for credit or placement.
With StraighterLine, students complete the college-level course itself. Eligible courses may carry ACE credit recommendations, which receiving colleges can consider when awarding transfer credit. Neither pathway guarantees that every college will award credit.
If you’re choosing between them, look at:
- Which subjects you need
- What's available through your high school
- Your preferred learning format
- Prospective colleges' AP and transfer policies
- Whether you prefer a scheduled or self-paced course
You don't necessarily have to choose one approach for everything. Your college preparation strategy can include different options depending on the subject and your goals.
When Should You Start Taking College Courses in High School?
Academic readiness matters more than trying to start as early as possible. Before adding a college course, consider your existing workload and whether you have enough time to give the course the attention it requires.
It may make sense to start when:
- You’re comfortable with your current high school workload
- You have enough time for independent study
- You’ve identified a course that serves a specific academic purpose
- You understand how prospective colleges may treat the credit
- You’re ready for college-level expectations
Getting ahead is useful only if the workload is manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions About StraighterLine for High School Students
Can high school students use StraighterLine?
Yes, eligible high school students can take StraighterLine courses. Before enrolling, students should review applicable eligibility requirements and research how prospective colleges may accept the coursework.
Can StraighterLine courses count toward high school graduation?
That depends on your high school or school district. If you want a StraighterLine course to fulfill a high school requirement, get approval from your school before enrolling.
Can StraighterLine courses count toward a future college degree?
StraighterLine courses carry ACE credit recommendations, and credits have been accepted at 3,000+ colleges and universities. Your receiving college determines whether a course is accepted and how it applies to your degree.
Do I need to know which college I’m attending before using StraighterLine?
Not necessarily. However, knowing which colleges you're considering makes it easier to research whether a particular course could transfer and satisfy a useful requirement.
Is StraighterLine dual enrollment?
StraighterLine isn’t a traditional dual enrollment program between your high school and a college. It provides online college-level courses that may be eligible for transfer based on the policies of the receiving institution.
Are StraighterLine courses self-paced?
Yes. StraighterLine courses are online and self-paced, allowing students to work through coursework according to their schedules while meeting the requirements of the course.
Get a Head Start on College With StraighterLine
Starting college-level coursework in high school can give you more affordability and flexibility with your education later on — but the goal isn't simply to collect credits as quickly as possible. Choosing courses with your future plans in mind can help you get more value from the work you put in now.
If you're ready to explore college-level coursework before high school graduation, explore StraighterLine's online course catalog.
With affordable, self-paced courses across many common college subjects, StraighterLine gives eligible high school students a flexible way to get started now — without having to fit another traditional class into an already busy school schedule.
