Questions on enrolling?
We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri

Questions on enrolling?
We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri

Questions on enrolling? We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri

JMHS Blog

How Does JMHS Tuition Work?

Written by Nicole Krempasky on Tuesday, 23 March 2021. Posted in Helpful Tips

Cash and change on table

If you’re thinking about making the switch from public school to a private school like James Madison High School, you probably have a lot of questions. Keep reading to find out some of our most asked questions — and answers — surrounding our tuition costs.

Does JMHS offer payment plans?

The most important goal for James Madison High School is ensuring everyone can receive a quality, affordable education. The amount of your tuition depends on how you choose to pay and if you have any previous credits transferring with you when you enroll. If you pay in full for a standard high school program, you’ll receive a discount on your tuition, bringing the cost to $1,269. This means you pay the full amount when you enroll, with no previous coursework or credits. If paying in full isn’t an option for you, that’s ok. JMHS offers monthly payment plans to ensure that whatever your financial situation is, you have flexible options. If you choose a monthly payment plan, your tuition can be set as low as $50 per month, making it a more manageable option for many students and their families.

Does transferring credits help lower tuition cost?

If you are a student who already has some high school courses under their belt, your tuition may be even lower. To find out if your credits are accepted at JMHS, request an official copy of your high school transcript from any school you previously attended and submit it to us within 90 days of enrollment. The registrar will assess which classes can transfer over for credit, determining how many courses you will still need to graduate. The maximum amount of credits you can transfer is 17 and you’ll receive a $30 reduction in your tuition per accepted credit. This can bring you a savings of around $510! To find out more about transferring credits, check out this blog.

All of this does depend on which program track you choose, though. For instance, if you only need a class or two to earn your diploma, you can take individual courses rather than a full program. Or, if you’re career-minded and want to receive real-world job training, the Career Pathways High School program is just $400 more than a standard online high school diploma. Upon successfully finishing the program, you’ll receive both your General High School Diploma and a Career Pathways Certificate. Be sure to visit our program page to see which option best suits your needs and interests.

Does JMHS offer financial aid?

While there is no financial aid available at JMHS, the low tuition and payment plans help us reach our goal of providing quality education at a low price. Because we keep affordability in mind, our monthly payment plans feature no interest on your charges. This can be an appealing alternative to traditional, interest-heavy loans or financial aid options. There are also never any finance charges or interest fees, so you can be sure the price you expect to pay won’t suddenly change.

What does my JMHS tuition include?

Because things like books and other supplies are usually provided for you at public schools, prospective students often wonder exactly what they're paying for at JMHS, besides courses. In addition to your classes, your digital textbooks and study materials are included. If you would prefer printed textbooks, they are available for an additional cost. You’ll also receive access to our active online Student Community. The Student Community is a great way to meet your peers, offer and receive study tips, make friends, and share experiences.

Perhaps most importantly, though, you can rest easy knowing that your tuition payment not only covers your high school courses, but those courses are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency, the DEAC ensures your JMHS education meets some of the highest standards available in a high school education.

Take the first steps towards an affordable education.

Start carving out a path towards an affordable online education, your way. To learn more about tuition, flexible payment plans, and courses, call an Admissions Specialist at

About the Author

Nicole Krempasky

Nicole Krempasky

Nicole Krempasky earned a BA in Communications with a minor in Art History from Arcadia University. Just finishing her MA in International Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University, she is putting her writing and research skills to use as Penn Foster’s Marketing Coordinator. Nicole enjoys baking, traveling, and British TV.