An Overview of the Online High School
Our Mission
The Stanford University Online High School (OHS) creates a worldwide learning community of diverse, intellectually passionate students and teachers. Through vibrant seminars, the rigorous curriculum challenges students to reason analytically, think creatively, and argue critically. Beyond the classroom, collaborative extra-curricular activities cultivate lasting relationships among students and teachers. The School’s supportive environment fosters independence, strength of character, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
A Unique School
While online, the OHS is first and foremost a school that draws strength from its students and teachers.
It is a school for gifted students, for intellectual risk takers, and for those who are engaged in significant pursuits beyond the classroom.
It is a school for instructors unparalleled in their expertise who have passion for teaching these students in this environment.
It is a school located within Stanford University, and thus at the forefront of learning.
It is this combination of students, instructors, and place that makes the OHS a school unlike any other.
About OHS
The Stanford University Online High School (OHS) is an independent school for gifted students in grades 7-12. The school was founded in 2006 as a three-year high school with a gift from the Malone Family Foundation, which also enabled its expansion to include a middle school with an additional gift in 2009. OHS has been accredited by WASC since 2006 and has been approved as an online provider by the University of California since 2008.
The mission of OHS is to provide a stimulating and challenging education that equips and inspires talented students to academic and professional success. Our approach to fulfilling this mission consists in an emphasis on rigorous and advanced academic offerings, the development of skills in written and oral communication, acquisition of a mastery of the principles of critical thinking and argumentation, and the promotion of intellectual maturity and responsibility. Beginning at the earliest grades, this mission informs the academic program that OHS students pursue, in the content of its classes, the methods and media of instruction, and the composition of the required courses of study. Students are guided through their studies by instructors who are chosen for their expertise and accomplishment in their disciplines and their experience and dedication to teaching highly talented students at the high school and college levels.
The flexibility of OHS academic program and enrollment options, which include full-time, part-time, and single course enrollment, can accommodate the varied needs and interests of our students. The online instruction, which combines seminar-style and directed-study courses on a flexible college-style class schedule, both encourages independence, discipline, and strong time-management skills and allows our students to pursue their diverse interests and exceptional talents.
The strong community at OHS supports students in acclimating to our academically rigorous environment. Students work closely with instructors, counselors and each other to achieve their academic and personal goals. Beyond the online classroom, students engage in a rich array of student clubs that build on student interests. An intensive residential summer program at Stanford University presents students with further opportunity to connect with each other and their instructors, while learning about and preparing for college and benefitting from the vast resources of Stanford University.