Penn Foster's online high school offers an alternative educational path for non-traditional students, including those who struggle in conventional settings. With over 12,000 students earning diplomas each year, the program caters to diverse needs such as homeschooling, adult learners, and those with mobile lifestyles. High dropout rates often correlate with disengagement, lack of interest, and socioeconomic factors, highlighting the benefits of flexible online learning options.

1. ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL
AND THE NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT
Traditional high schools, defined as classroom, teacher, and lecture-based, are not for everyone. Penn Foster’s online High
School provides an excellent alternative for any student who has struggled to succeed in a traditional school. Each year,
over 12,000 “non-traditional” students earn their accredited high school diploma from Penn Foster .
WHO
DROPS OUT?
Dropouts are not a homogeneous group, and dropping out of school is often the result of a long process of
disengagement. However, there are some trends when looking at students who do drop out of high school.
NON-TRADITIONAL
STUDENT
Cataldi, E.F., Laird, J., and KewalRamani, A. (2009). High School Dropout and
Completion Rates in the United States: 2007 (NCES 2009-064).
National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences,
U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Retrieved 10/22/2013
from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009064.
Soccer Ball designed by Laurent Patain from The Noun Project
Clock designed by Vasu Adiga from The Noun Project
Watch from The Noun Project
History designed by Ema Dimitrova from The Noun Project
Computer designed by Patrick Morrison from The Noun Project
Home from The Noun Project
Pregnant designed by Andrew McKinley from The Noun Project
Idea designed by Waleed Al-Alami from The Noun Project
ADVANCED
STUDENTS
HOMESCHOOLSTRUGGLING
STUDENTS
MOBILE
SCHEDULE
ADULT LEARNER OVERSEAS
Families who move
overseas and want to
continue in the American
school system
Elite athletes or
performers who travel
frequently
Students who find it very
challenging to succeed within
the limits of
traditional school
In 2007, the number of
homeschooled students
was about 1.5 million, and
numbers are increasing
every year
Individuals who did not
finish high school in the
normal amount of time,
often because they dropped
out
BENEFITS OF
ONLINE SCHOOL
*with transfer credits
Shuger, L. (2012). Teen Pregnancy and High School Dropout: What Communities Can Do to Address
These Issues. Washington, DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned
Pregnancy and America’s Promise Alliance.
Perceived prevalence of teasing and bullying predicts high school dropout rates. Cornell, Dewey;
Gregory, Anne; Huang, Francis; Fan, Xitao Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol 105(1), Feb
2013, 138-149. doi: 10.1037/a0030416
"Fast Facts." National Center for Education Statistics. U.S. Department of Education, n.d. Web. 29 Oct.
2013.
Stillwell, R., and Sable, J. (2013). Public School Graduates and Dropouts from the Common Core of Data:
School Year 2009–10: First Look (Provisional Data) (NCES 2013-309rev). U.S. Department of
Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 10/22/2013
from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.
Tools designed by John Caserta from The Noun Project
Combine your diploma with a
career pathway and be career
and/or college ready when
you graduate
Study around your busy
schedule, and at the
right pace
WHEN YOU CAN
Take your classes in your own
home, at the library or when you’re
on the go - you choose
WHERE YOU CAN WHAT YOU CAN
Online and hybrid learning
options are increasing in
number and in prestige
INDUSTRY GROWTHFINISH FASTER
24/7 access to an extensive
online community of your
peers and instructors
ONLINE COMMUNITY
47% of students cite their reason
for dropping out is that their
CLASSES ARE NOT INTERESTING.
This is the number one reason
in the country
Dropout rates for students living in
low-income families is about
10 TIMES GREATER
than the rate of their peers from
high-income families
Public high school dropout rate for grades 9-12,
by race/ethnicity: School year 2009-10
2.3%
5.5% 5.0%
1.9%
6.7%
White Black Hispanic Asian/
Pacific
Islander
American
Indian/
Alaska
Native
Average time to complete is
just 2 years- that’s half the time
of a traditional high school*
Students who are bored can
become more engaged by
moving through the content
more quikcly
40%
INCREASE
Grade
Retention
Held Back
One Grade
Held Back
Two Grades
Drop-Out
Risk
90%
INCREASE
Penn Foster High School
925 Oak Street
Scranton, PA 18515 USA