Where To Take the Best AP Courses Online
April 5, 2024
Here at College Transitions, students often ask us, “Where should I take AP courses online?” There are a variety of reasons that high school students seek out online Advanced Placement (AP) course opportunities. However, the most common types of students who desire a remote-based AP course are:
- Those who wish to take an AP course in an area of interest that is simply not offered by their high school.
- Those who cannot take certain AP courses at their school due to scheduling conflicts.
- Homeschooled students.
If this sounds like you, keep scrolling!
How to Find the Best AP Courses Online
Overwhelmed by providers? Locating the right school/organization for an online AP course can be an epic challenge as there are plenty of predatory online “schools” with shoddy technological capabilities and/or instructional abilities.
In contrast, the following ten schools are high-quality, reputable institutions, each of which has years of experience delivering instruction to thousands of satisfied students. Every school selected for our list meets the criteria of being a) accredited, b) generally well-reviewed, and c) affordable. In addition, you should only take online AP courses at a school that has been approved to deliver them by the College Board. Otherwise, you might risk taking a course that doesn’t fully prepare you for the exam. For example, some edX classes are not approved by the College Board.
1) Johns Hopkins CTY
Price: $984-$1,499 (Individually Paced); $716-$2,127 (Session-Based)
Eligibility: Grades 9-12, must test at CTY or Advanced CTY levels.
# of AP Courses Offered: 15
AP Course List: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP US Government & Politics, AP US History, AP World History Modern
More Info:
- Offers individually paced and session-based options, albeit at a higher cost than other schools on this list.
- Methods of instruction include virtual classroom lectures, live discussions, and interactive review workshops. Students will also complete homework assignments, quizzes, projects, free-response questions, and exams.
- Financial aid is available to eligible students.
2) Northwestern CTD
Price: $805-$1,335
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; requisite scores on any normed, standardized achievement test; previous completion of a CTD course in a similar subject area; admission portfolio (including teacher recommendation and transcript). In addition, some courses have prerequisites.
# of AP Courses Offered: 9
AP Course List: AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Government & Politics, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Psychology
More Info:
- These courses are accelerated. Accordingly, students taking an online course have 9-11 weeks to complete it.
- Students should plan on 10-15 hours of coursework per week.
Best AP Courses Online — Continued
3) Florida Virtual School and FlexPoint Virtual School
Price: Residents (Florida Virtual School): Free; Non-residents (FlexPoint Virtual School): $475 per semester (most courses are 2 semester in length)
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; prerequisites vary by course. To take an FLVS Flex class, you must be enrolled in a public high school or private high school. Alternatively, you can be enrolled as a homeschool student in a public school district or enrolled in a hospital/homebound program. To take an FLVS Full Time class, you must be enrolled as a full-time FLVS student. Finally, to take a FlexPoint class, students must meet the age requirement (under the age of 19).
# of AP Courses Offered: 16
AP Course List: AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Statistics, AP US Government & Politics, AP US History
More Info:
- In particular, the Computer Science A program has been around for a long time and receives generally favorable reviews from students.
- Courses typically run for 16-36 weeks. FLVS Flex and FlexPoint do not follow a traditional academic calendar, so there are multiple start dates throughout the year.
- There are “Flex” and “Full Time” courses available. “Flex” courses are for students who are taking just 1-2 classes online in addition to a regular courseload elsewhere. Alternatively, “Full Time” courses are for students who are registered for a standard public school courseload through FLVS.
- FLVS Flex offers the AP Capstone Program.
4) UC Scout
Price: CA Public School Students—Basic: Free; Plus: Free; On Demand: $399. CA Private School/Out-of-State Students—Basic: $29; Plus: $49; On Demand: $399.
Eligibility: 9-12; certain courses have prerequisites.
# of AP Courses Offered: 28
AP Course List: AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP European History, AP US Government & Politics, AP US History, AP World History Modern, AP Human Geography, AP English Literature & Composition, AP English Language & Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Chemistry, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP German Language & Culture, AP French Language & Culture, AP Art History, AP Music Theory, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles
More Info:
- One of the few schools to offer AP Music Theory and AP Art History online.
- Founded by the University of California in 2013 and hosted at UC Santa Cruz. Accordingly, courses align with required high school coursework for admission into a UC campus.
- Courses are built for a 16-week semester system; many courses run for 2 semesters.
- For Basic and Plus Courses, a student’s public school provides the teacher. Basic courses include video lessons only; students taking Plus courses link to an online classroom.
- For On Demand Courses, Scout supplies the instructor. Moreover, these courses are self-paced and include video lectures, assignments, tests, quizzes, and exams.
Best AP Courses Online — Continued
5) Laurel Springs School
Price: $900 (semester-long course); $1,300 (year-long course)
Eligibility: Some AP courses require junior or senior standing; other prerequisites vary by course.
# of AP Courses Offered: 20
AP Course List: AP English Literature & Composition, AP English Language & Composition, AP European History, AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AP World History Modern, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Environmental Science, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Art History
More Info:
- 86% of the students at Laurel Springs score a 3 or higher on their AP exams.
- Students learn at their own schedule at their own pace.
- Through Laurel Springs’ learning management system, students have access to personalized resources, interactive modules, activities, peer collaboration, and real-time teacher support.
6) Pennsylvania Homeschoolers
Price: $625-$900
Eligibility: Open to any high school-age homeschool students; public or private school students cannot take these courses. Some courses have specific prerequisites.
# of AP Courses Offered: 27
AP Course List: AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Precalculus, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, AP Statistics, AP US Government, AP US History, AP World History
More Info:
- Many of the courses are taught by the same highly qualified instructors year after year. Moreover, multiple sections of certain courses are offered.
- Nearly 75% of students earn a 4 or 5 on their AP exams; 48% earned a 5.
- Course delivery varies; some are completely asynchronous while others require students to attend live class sessions.
7) The Potter’s School
Price: $550-$695
Eligibility: Open to all 11th & 12th graders (some courses open to 10th graders and high-achieving ninth-graders); some courses have prerequisites.
# of AP Courses Offered: 22
AP Course List: AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Comparative Government & Politics, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Precalculus, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP US Government & Politics, AP World History Modern
More Info:
- Many instructors possess advanced degrees.
- You can read the entire syllabus and all about the instructor BEFORE joining the class.
- Classes can be taken live or pre-recorded.
- Over 90% of TPS students earn a 3 or higher on their exams, with over 70% earning a 4 or higher and 50% earning a 5.
- The Potter’s School is Christian-affiliated, so courses are taught with a Biblical worldview.
Best AP Courses Online — Continued
8) VHS Learning
Price: $975 per full-credit full-year or self-paced course; $525 per half-credit self-paced course
Eligibility: Depends on course; some enroll freshman and sophomores while others only enroll juniors and seniors.
# of AP Courses Offered: 29
AP Course List: AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Economics, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French Language and Culture, AP Human Geography, AP Latin, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Precalculus, AP Psychology, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP U.S. History, AP United States Government and Politics, AP World History
More Info:
- The average class size is 21 students; students complete assignments and collaborate with peers.
- Teachers must respond to student questions within 24 hours.
- Courses are offered on a regular semester schedule starting in September. Flexibly-paced AP classes are also offered.
9) Apex Learning
Price: $380 per semester, $700 for two semesters
Eligibility: Any high school student; some courses have prerequisites
# of AP Courses Offered: 13
AP Course List: AP US Government and Politics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP English Literature and Composition, AP English Language and Composition, AP US History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics
More Info:
- Students can take summer or semester-based courses.
- All courses are self-paced; no live sessions are required.
- Students complete a number of interactive activities and are supported by certified online teachers.
10) BYU Independent Study
Price: $299 per semester, $598 for both semesters
Eligibility: Any high school student; some courses have prerequisites
# of AP Courses Offered: 9
AP Course List: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP United States Government & Politics, AP US History, AP World History Modern, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology
More Info:
- All courses are self-paced with interactive visuals, videos, assignments, games, and other activities.
- Courses are taught by certified teachers who offer virtual office hours and quick communication.
- Finally, free tutoring sessions are available for all classes.
Best AP Courses Online – Final Thoughts
In sum, if you utilize this list to start your search for an online AP course, you can rest assured that you will end up at an accredited institution that does not charge exorbitant prices. Of course, as at any school (virtual or brick and mortar), teaching quality varies greatly so there are never any guarantees of a positive classroom experience (not even at your own high school). However, we are confident that these ten schools give you a very solid chance at uncovering a fruitful remote-based AP opportunity.
For additional online opportunities and AP resources, check out the following:
