A Guide to Online Credit Recovery Programs for Students

May 20, 2024 byKristina Cappetta

3 min to read

Student studying on a laptop at Connections Academy

If your student is falling behind in earning high school credits for graduation, credit recovery classes are available through online summer school programs to help get them back on track and still graduate on time. Credit recovery classes can be the most convenient way for students to use their time off in the summer wisely if they are in jeopardy of falling short.

What is a Credit Recovery Program and Who is it For?

Credit recovery allows high school students to retake a course they have previously taken but did not earn credit for, such as in instances where they may have failed the class or fallen behind in their classwork due to absences. During a credit recovery class, students repeat only the coursework they didn’t pass or complete the first time around, which allows them the chance to master these important skills and receive the credits they need to graduate on time without having them repeat the entire course.

But, if your student has not taken a specific course before, they cannot take a credit recovery course in that area. Those students need to take the original course to earn credits.

Some students may be reluctant to enroll in a credit recovery program because they may believe that these programs are for students who underachieve academically. In reality, credit recovery programs provide a second chance for students to learn the skills they need to achieve academic success. Celebrating success stories of credit recovery programs can encourage more students to take proactive steps to further their education and graduate on time.

How Long Does a Credit Recovery Program Last?

Credit recovery can range from one to eight weeks to complete, depending on the subject and the length of the original course. Even full summer school courses do not last all summer long, which means students will still have time to enjoy their break! Summer courses at Pearson Online Academy, for example, typically begin on May 30th and end on August 1st.

Students can expect to spend time relearning the material to earn the credits they need. High school recovery courses online may require the equivalent of about four hours of work daily, five days a week, until the program is over.

Credit recovery courses can be taken in-person, online, and as a hybrid option. When credit recovery classes are taken online, students can work at their own pace or possibly shorten their course time.

A high school student working through a credit recovery program.

How to Find Summer Credit Recovery Programs

Students can easily find nearby options for credit recovery by searching for “credit recovery schools near me” and narrowing down to credit recovery schools that offer the required courses your student needs. If you’re looking for a more flexible option, online credit recovery high school programs allow students to complete their programs and still have more control over their summer schedule.

Pearson Online Academy, an online private school,  offers a variety of high school online credit recovery courses in math, science, social studies, and English during the summer semester. In an online classroom or by phone, students interact directly with a certified teacher from Pearson Online Academy. Students connect to the Pearson Online Classroom that keeps everything organized to track and complete their personalized credit recovery assignments throughout the program.

Transferring Credits from a Summer Credit Recovery Program

Schools vary in their policies about accepting transfer credits and can refuse to accept them for any reason.

Therefore, it’s important to note that before enrolling in an online credit recovery program, you will need to get approval from your student’s current school and confirm that the program will meet the school’s required guidelines. Some school counselors may request to see a syllabus or course overview for the online credit recovery program, so be sure to have this information ready as well.

While summer school may not be a student’s favorite thing, completing online credit recovery classes can be a real boost for a student’s graduation plans. With an open mind and a focus on the future benefits, high school students can get back on track for wrapping up school and receiving that high school diploma on time.

Interested in getting more involved in your children’s education? Visit the Pearson Online Academy website to learn more about online summer school, individual courses for enrichment, and full-time online private school.