Families with students approaching high school age often worry whether virtual school credits will count. They do — here’s exactly how it works in North Carolina.

Virtual school credits count toward high school in NC. STARS Virtual Academy is an accredited North Carolina public charter school that follows the NC Standard Course of Study — the same curriculum framework used by every traditional public school in the state. Students enrolled in grade 9 at SVA earn legitimate, state-recognized high school credits that transfer to traditional high schools and are recognized by North Carolina educational institutions.

How Are High School Credits Earned at Virtual School?

High school credits in North Carolina are earned by completing courses that meet state curriculum standards. At SVA, grade 9 students complete coursework aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study for 9th grade — the same standards a student would meet in a traditional public high school. Credits are awarded upon successful course completion and recorded on the student’s official SVA transcript.

Credits earned at SVA are legitimate North Carolina high school credits. As an accredited public charter school following the NC Standard Course of Study, SVA’s grade 9 credits carry the same weight as credits from any traditional NC public high school.

Which Credits Can Be Earned at SVA?

SVA’s grade 9 students complete coursework across the core subject areas required by NC high school graduation requirements:

• English Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Elective coursework as applicable

Contact SVA directly for the specific course offerings available to grade 9 students and how they map to NC high school graduation requirements.

Will a Traditional High School Accept Credits from SVA?

Yes. When a student who completed grade 9 at SVA transitions to a traditional high school for grade 10, the receiving school reviews SVA’s official transcripts and recognizes the credits earned. Because SVA follows the NC Standard Course of Study, the alignment between SVA coursework and traditional high school expectations is direct.

The receiving school’s counseling or registrar office manages the credit transfer process. Families should bring official SVA transcripts to the enrollment conversation and confirm with the receiving school exactly how each credit will be applied to the student’s four-year plan.

What If My Child Is in Grade 8 at SVA and Moving to High School?

Grade 8 students at SVA complete middle school coursework — not high school credit-bearing courses. When transitioning to grade 9 at a traditional high school, grade 8 academic performance at SVA will be documented on official transcripts and considered in placement decisions, but it does not represent high school credits.

Families planning this transition should contact both SVA and the receiving high school to understand the specific placement and enrollment process for incoming 9th graders.

Does SVA Serve High School Beyond Grade 9?

SVA currently serves grades 4–9. Families with students who will be entering grade 10 and beyond will need to enroll in a traditional high school or another virtual program that serves those grades. See our post on what grades STARS Virtual Academy serves for more detail on SVA’s current grade range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does virtual school count toward high school credits in NC?

Yes. SVA is an accredited public charter school following the NC Standard Course of Study. Credits earned by grade 9 students at SVA are state-recognized and transfer to traditional high schools.

Will a traditional high school accept my child’s credits from virtual school?

Yes. Because SVA follows NC state curriculum standards and issues official transcripts, credits are recognized by traditional high schools across North Carolina.

What high school courses can my child take at SVA?

SVA offers grade 9 coursework across core subject areas aligned to NC high school graduation requirements. Contact SVA directly for the specific course list and how courses map to graduation requirements.

What happens when my child finishes grade 9 at SVA?

SVA currently serves through grade 9. Families will need to enroll their child in a traditional high school or another program for grade 10. SVA provides official transcripts that transfer to the receiving school.

How do I get my child’s transcripts from SVA?

Contact STARS Virtual Academy directly to request official transcripts at any point during or after enrollment.

Do online school grades transfer to traditional schools in NC?

Yes. See our full guide to how online school grades transfer to traditional schools in NC for a complete explanation.

How does online public school work in NC?

See our complete guide to how online public school works in NC for a full explanation of the SVA program.

The Bottom Line

Virtual school credits count toward high school in NC. STARS Virtual Academy is an accredited public charter school following NC state curriculum standards, and credits earned by grade 9 students carry full weight when transitioning to a traditional high school. Families approaching the high school transition should contact both SVA and the receiving school to ensure a smooth credit transfer process.

Approaching the high school transition? Contact STARS Virtual Academy at starscharter.org to discuss your child’s academic record and plan the transition. Enrollment for grades 4–9 is open now — limited to 50 students.