The Continental
Academy website makes it sound pretty good: “no classes
to attend, study at home at your own pace.” It promises the
“most enjoyable, affordable and convenient way to earn your
high school diploma from the comfort of your home.”
But a recent investigation by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting (FCIR) cuts the online school little slack in its evaluation, calling it “virtually worthless.” The non-profit journalism center's story chronicles the frustrations of students who graduated – many with honors – from Continental, only to be turned down by the colleges they applied to next.
The reason? Universities including Virginia Tech and vocational institutes like Concorde Career Institute don't regard the Continental diploma as valid because the school is not accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, FCIR reporter Mc Nelly Torres found.
Many for-profit schools, including Continental, are accredited by the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools and the National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools, but only a handful of accrediting agencies are recognized by most universities and colleges and neither agency is among them.
Yet, the school's website states that it is “fully accredited” and proudly cites the two accrediting agencies, making no mention of the likelihood that diplomas issued by the school will be rejected by many institutions of higher learning.
Students advised
In a statement to FCIR, Continental vice president Jeffrey Lopez said: “Continental Academy has advised students who Continental Academy is accredited by and that the acceptance of credits or graduate is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer.” But this disclaimer does not appear on the school's website and students who spoke with FCIR said Continental did not make it clear to them before they enrolled.
Continental, based in Miramar, Fla., also does not advise students that they could study on their own and take the General Educational Development (GED) test, which costs about $50. The GED certification is widely accepted by colleges and employers. Tests are given frequently around the country. More information is available at the GED Testing Center.
Continental's programs range from $350 for the online and CD-based programs, $795 for a program that uses printed books and does not require the Internet. The costs are higher if paid on a monthly payment plan.
At least 59 students have been so dissatisfied with the results of their Continental experience that they have filed complaints with the Florida Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, alleging that Continental provided false or incomplete information about its accreditation.
The Better Business Bureau has given Continental an “F” because it failed to resolve or properly respond to complaints, FCIR reported.
For-profit schools and, in particular, online schools have been going through a period of explosive growth even though their quality and prices are frequently questioned. The Chronicle of Higher Education has described many for-profit high schools and colleges as “degree mills” that have grown into a billion-dollar industry with only scant regulation.
Private schools are generally not regulated by state or federal agencies, although Congress and the U.S. Department of Education have been taking an interest in them lately, since about 11 percent of all federal financial aid – about $12 billion yearly – is going to students who earned high school diplomas from schools not accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
