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Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a heading below to find answers to the most frequent questions.
accreditation, graduation, and diploma

Is the Carson Online program accredited?
Yes. Carson Online is a program offered by Carson City School District that is an online alternative to the traditional environment. Carson City School District carries the accreditation.

Who will issue my diploma?
You will receive your Carson City School District diploma from Pioneer High School, a fully accredited high school.

Will I attend a graduation ceremony?
You may earn all credits for graduation from the Carson Online program. Pioneer High School will issue the diploma and hold a graduation ceremony.

how our online education works

How does this program exist?
Carson Online is a pioneering online program operated by Carson City School District.

How does this online education work?
Because all of our courses are online, your class schedule is flexible; class begins when you login online and ends when you log out. Our online curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and self-paced. All of our courses are backed by our highly qualified staff of Nevada-certified teachers who are available via instant message, phone, or email. We also offer a 24/7 student support environment so that you can get help when you need it.

When do I attend class?
Just as in a traditional school, students must engage in their coursework regularly and show weekly progress. Students may log in to their courses any time of the day or evening. Failure to attend courses regularly may result in withdrawal from the program.

How quickly can I move through the course?
Students enrolled in Carson Online are required to work approximately 30 hours per week on their class(es) and are assigned one of two time schedules. Schedule A is designed for students who wish to work one class at a time. They are set up on a 21 calendar day schedule to complete their course. Schedule B is designed for students who wish to work on two classes at a time. They are set up on a 42 calendar day schedule to complete their courses. However, you may work through the course(s) at a faster pace, moving on to your next class.

What is the schedule like?
Our courses are semester-length courses. You must complete your courses within the regular course term length to receive credit.

qualifying as a student

Can I take classes part-time and still be a part of Carson Online?
Yes, however, there are residency requirements and a fee involved with part-time enrollment.

How many courses must a full-time student take?
Just as in traditional school, students are expected to take a minimum of 5-6 courses per semester, depending on the program in which you are enrolled.

Who chooses my courses?
Courses that a student is required to take are dependent on the student's prior transcript and progress towards graduation. The school's counselor will review the student's transcript and assign the appropriate core classes. The student will choose their elective classes.

Is online learning for me?
The flexibility of online learning adds a unique level of responsibility. To succeed, you must be a self-directed learner, sufficiently self-motivated to manage your own learning schedule, and must have a basic grasp of Internet navigation.

Are there any age restrictions?
Age restrictions depends on either full or part-time status. Students must be age 19 or under. Some other restrictions may apply.

What grade levels does Carson Online serve?
Carson Online serves students in middle and high school: grades 6 to 12.

Does it matter where I live?
Yes; Carson Online School provides education for students residing in the following counties: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Storey, and Washoe.


The online learning experience will not accommodate all IEP students. We evaluate IEP applicants on an individual basis to ensure the opportunity for the student's success.

teaching & curriculum

Who is my teacher?
Your teacher for each course is a highly-qualified, Nevada-certified teacher who has experience teaching online courses. Your first introduction to your teacher will be in a welcome phone call once your enrollment is approved. Your teacher will give you an overview of the course and answer any questions you have.

How can I contact my teacher?
You may contact your assigned teacher instantly through our popular instant messaging service. Also, you may use e-mail, fax, or toll-free telephone to contact your teacher. You can reach certified teachers 24/5 (Sunday 8pm – Friday 6pm). And, our customer support team monitors the phones 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week to help you.

What do I need to do to succeed in a Carson Online course?
When you take an online course you need to prepare yourself as you would for any course in a classroom setting. Key differences are that your teacher is online and not face-to-face, and your lessons are on a computer. In an online course, time management is critical to success because most activities can be accomplished asynchronously, which means you don't necessarily have to be online at the same time as your instructor or other students.

What materials are needed in order to take Carson Online courses?
All of the courses offered by Carson Online School can be taken 100% online so there is very little need for any additional materials, except for some advanced courses. All you truly need to begin your coursework is internet access and a computer.

As an online student, will I still be required to take District or State Mandated Tests?
Yes. All students in the online program will be required to physically attend and take all District defined testing. Once enrolled, you will be notified of testing dates and locations.

As a virtual student, will I ever have to physically attend school?
Virtual students are required to appear onsite for their initial orientation as well as for mid-term and finals proctored by the district.

technical requirements

What type of software or hardware will I need on my computer to take these courses?
There are some basic requirements for the computer on which you will be working. Click here to see the basic requirements.

Do I need a high-speed connection?
You can successfully access of our courses with a dial-up Internet connection, but we recommend high-speed access for the best experience.




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