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
Questions on enrolling?
Questions on enrolling?
Questions on enrolling?
Earning your diploma through a self-paced online high school like James Madison High School (JMHS) gives you the flexibility to finish your diploma on your time. With the rise in popularity of online and remote schooling, it’s important to ensure the school where you earn your high school diploma is accepted at the college you want to attend. The best way to do this is to contact the college and verify with someone in admissions. A school may be accredited but not accepted by your university.
A high school diploma allows you to apply for college and enter the workforce. So whether you want to further your education or choose a career after high school, you need a diploma.
If you’re thinking about getting your high school diploma at JMHS, you may be wondering, is James Madison High School legit? Here’s what you need to know before enrolling.
Accreditation means that a school has been recognized for meeting certain educational standards. This recognition comes from accrediting institutions and is crucial for your diploma to be considered legitimate.
Yes, JMHS is nationally accredited by Cognia and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Accreditation is reviewed regularly to ensure the quality of its courses is met. Online high schools are held to the same educational standards as traditional schools.
Learn more about JMHS’ accreditation.
Accreditation ensures your education is recognized by colleges, employers, and the military. Without it, you might face difficulties in getting accepted into college, enlisting in the military, or applying for jobs that require a high school diploma.
Read more: 6 Reasons to Get Your High School Diploma
If your school isn't accredited, other institutions might not recognize your diploma. This could mean having to earn your diploma again from an accredited school or obtaining a GED before you can pursue certain goals.
Read more: High School Diploma vs GED
Attending an accredited school like JMHS opens more opportunities. You can be confident that your diploma will be accepted by colleges, employers, and other institutions that require an accredited high school education.
2020 Graduate of the Year Donshea Hopkins turned her JMHS diploma into multiple opportunities as she pursued acting, creating art, and running a business. She was able to complete HS without sacrificing her dreams. After working for several years as a successful actor and entrepreneur, she decided to apply to college to expand her horizons.
“I think [JMHS] prepared me for college. [Especially] the independent part of [school] and having the opportunity to set my schedule myself, she said. It was a lot of keeping myself on pace, which is a need when headed to college. I had to be there for myself, and it prepared me for the next steps of my education.”
Read more: How to Transfer to Online High School: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents
Yes, James Madison High School is legit. It is nationally accredited by Cognia and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Cognia's accreditation is recognized globally, and DEAC ensures the quality of online education is on par with that of traditional schools. Accreditation must be renewed regularly to ensure ongoing quality education.
Absolutely. JMHS offers a variety of programs to tailor your high school experience, including college prep and career-focused courses. They provide help from instructors and student services to support your academic success.
Read more: High School College Prep Diploma vs. Technical Diploma
Colleges and universities consider many different criteria when deciding to accept a new student.
One of the first things admissions teams will look at is whether the high school you graduated from is appropriately accredited. Although an accredited high school diploma can help you take the next step toward a college degree, keep in mind the other things that can factor into a school’s decision.
Besides making sure you graduated—or are on track to graduate—from an accredited high school like James Madison, schools consider:
While James Madison does hold national accreditation for our high school diploma program, it’s always a good idea to check in with colleges you may want to attend in the future and verify that they’d accept your diploma. It’s ultimately up to the college to determine what criteria they search for in applicants.
It’s important to note that previous James Madison graduates have been accepted to and attended community colleges, technical schools, and universities nationwide. The full list of colleges and schools that accept an online JMHS diploma ranges from state schools like the University of Tennessee to private colleges like Drexel University in Philadelphia.
JMHS 2022 Graduate of the Year Fatih Ileez got into many top-tier four-year colleges and universities, including Villanova—where he even received a scholarship!
You can hear more of Fatih’s story here.
Yes. Because James Madison’s online high school program is accredited and acknowledged by the US Department of Education, you shouldn’t have an issue verifying that you graduated with a legitimate high school diploma.
However, like colleges and career schools, it’s entirely up to the company to decide what they will and won’t accept. While many employers only care that you’ve completed a diploma from a legitimate high school, whether online or at a traditional public school, some positions may be more competitive. This can involve looking into your grade point average and doing a background check.
A JMHS diploma includes your name, graduation date, a signature from a school official, and says it's from James Madison High School.
Online schools are becoming more accepted, especially as busy lives and crowded traditional schools lead regular and adult students to earn their high school diploma online.
Just like in traditional high school, JMHS follows rules and regulations about education, curriculum, and verifies that the school is constantly improving through re-accreditation processes. If an employer or higher-education school doubts your school has the accreditation they are looking for, you can advise them to search for James Madison High School on the Department of Education website. They can also check out social media pages like our Facebook or Instagram to learn more about the students who came before you! to learn more about the students who came before you!
Earning a diploma from an online high school program can mean that you’ve gained new, valuable skills that will transfer into the next phase of your life including further education, your next career, and even daily living. Students that attend self-paced schools must be focused, self-motivated, and have good time management skills in order to make it to graduation. These skills may help you stand out amongst the crowd in a competitive job market or when applying to colleges!
Read more: How Long Does It Take to Get A Diploma Online
Now that you can be confident an online high school diploma with JMHS is legit, the next step is earning it. Are you ready to take ownership of your education? James Madison High School is an affordable, self-paced choice that can help you do just that. Get started earning your diploma as early as today and enroll at jmhs.com or reach out to one of our dedicated and knowledgeable admissions specialists at 1-800-349-6861 for more information.
Lauren Ambrosio is a lifelong writer with a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. She joined Penn Foster in 2023 and is excited to be part of a team with such a rich history. She hopes to help our learners by providing helpful information they need on their education and career journeys. When Lauren isn’t writing about our veterinary programs—her favorite topic—she is hiking the foothills of Pikes Peak with her black lab, Remy.
