Summer can be an ideal time for high school students to embark on their college and career journey, but the various pathways—from summer travel to pre-college programs—can be time and cost-prohibitive for too many students.
The ability to explore college-level learning and courses, earn potential credit and build academic confidence can help students make informed decisions on what college to attend and what to study, while also helping them save money. This is an opportunity that should be available to all upperclassman high school students.
That is why Sophia, a platform providing affordable, on demand, online college-level courses designed to transfer for credit, is offering incoming high school juniors and seniors no cost access to college-level courses this summer. These students will have access to six courses, including biology, nutrition, information technology and college readiness, from Sophia’s catalog of more than 70 courses.
Far too many high school students go straight to college without a sense of the career opportunities available, which could lead them to switch majors or take unnecessary courses. Another set of high school students may not even pursue a college education, assuming it’s out of reach academically or financially.
Sophia is fully online and self-paced with no assignment deadlines, so courses can be taken throughout the summer anywhere, anytime. This flexibility allows busy students who work or have other responsibilities during the summer to fit the courses into their busy schedules.
The courses are recommended for credit by ACE® and accepted by more than 80 institutions. This can save students money on tuition by helping them complete some of their general education requirements before enrolling in a program. In fact, students can save up to 90% on their general education courses with Sophia* and to date, $1B in tuition has been saved by taking courses through Sophia Learning**.
High school should be a time to explore academic interests outside of the classroom. Sophia’s no-cost summer program is just one example of how we can leverage innovation to expand pathways to postsecondary education for more high school students.
Let’s find affordable ways to use technology to empower high schoolers to explore their interests and academic strengths and guide their post-graduation pursuits, before the costly commitment that may come with college enrollment.
The journey to and through higher education is a continuum – it doesn’t need to start after high school graduation and end four years later. In fact, I would argue that the entire workforce is made up of learners, many of whom continue to go back to school to gain skills to advance in their careers and achieve personal and professional goals. We need to embrace innovations that support this continuum, offering access to affordable education at all stages of life.
This summer high school students can take a risk-free step on this continuum towards their future and help bolster their transcript, skills, and confidence, by enrolling in no cost Sophia courses.
Eligible high school juniors and seniors for the 2025-2026 school year can sign up between June 2 and July 31, 2025. Students must sign up for this offer at freehs.sophia.org.
Dr. Shawna Thayer is CEO of Sophia Learning
*Assumes successful course transfer. Based on data published in 2022 College Board Trends and Pricing Report. Calculated using base subscription price of $99/month. Savings will differ depending on the number of Sophia courses you take, the time it takes to complete, and the price per course at your institution.
**Savings based on average annual tuition at public four-year, in-state institutions. [Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing Report (2024)].
