Online career schools expand in US

Stride Inc. now manages more than 50 online high schools that offer career training.

The company reports that revenue from middle and high school career learning programs surpassed $1 billion in fiscal year 2026. This figure represents a 19 percent increase from the previous year.

The for-profit company has expanded its career-oriented offerings in recent years as interest in technical education grows. Stride says this sector is the fastest-growing part of its business.

Student experiences differ significantly depending on the state where the school operates. In Idaho, Mileka Hager attended the Idaho Technical Career Academy, a virtual school with about 200 students. Hager enrolled in 2023 after facing online harassment at her public high school. She chose the business track and took live classes four hours a day for core subjects and business courses. Hager earned eight professional certifications during her time at the school.

State data shows that 61 percent of students at Hager’s school earned industry-recognized credentials in the 2024-25 school year. This is much higher than the Idaho state average of 7 percent. Idaho requires private online schools to operate as public charter schools with independent boards. The state also reviews vocational programs every five years to ensure they meet quality standards.

In Alabama, Cori Space attended the Alabama Destinations Career Academy. Her mother, Hilary Space, said staff never discussed enrolling Cori in a specific career path. Cori had live classes only two hours twice a week and often finished homework in under an hour. Space described the days as concerning. Alabama allows local districts to contract directly with private companies to run virtual schools under a 2015 law. A county superintendent told the Alabama Political Reporter in 2020 that there has never been enough oversight of these schools.

At the Wisconsin Destination Career Academy, which serves 750 students, teachers help arrange job shadows. The school ships practice kits for some courses, such as blood-typing materials for health sciences students. However, only 16 students there earned an industry-recognized certification between 2021-22 and 2024-25 according to the state department. Stride officials dispute this number, claiming more than 500 students earned certifications. They note that the school’s 2024-25 academic growth score placed it in the bottom 10 percent of state high schools.

Experts suggest that online programs may not suit all students, particularly those with anxiety or other challenges. Carol Corbett Burris of the Network for Public Education argues that struggling students often need mainstream schools with extra support rather than virtual alternatives. Stride spokesperson Brooke Gabbert stated that the variation in outcomes is by design, as some students enroll to satisfy graduation requirements rather than pursue full career paths.