Apex Learning
by Edmentum (website )
Accredited, secular online school and curriculum for grades 6-12, known for NCAA approval and rigorous AP options.
Best Fit For
Self-motivated high school students needing NCAA-approved courses, students looking for a wide variety of secular AP options, and families wanting an accredited asynchronous environment.
Not Recommended For
Students who struggle with large amounts of on-screen reading, learners who require live social interaction, or families looking for a low-cost, multi-student shared curriculum.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers describe Apex Learning as a structured provider of accredited AP courses and credit recovery for students in grades 6 through 12. College Transitions highlights the platform for its self-paced curriculum and support from certified online teachers, though it notes the program is more expensive than state-funded alternatives. Successful Homeschooling reports high student satisfaction with the quality of instructors and the success of specific science and math tracks. However, OpenEd characterizes the text-heavy courses as a workhorse for formal credits that lacks student engagement, while also noting operational friction following a recent merger. Movoto provides a critical perspective, calling the interface monotonous and soul-crushing due to a punishing pace and technical bugs. While the curriculum is recognized for its academic rigor and accreditation, users suggest that its efficiency comes at the cost of a high-pressure student experience.
How It Works
Students log into a digital dashboard where they follow a structured daily sequence of reading-intensive lessons, short instructional videos, and interactive 'checkup' activities. A typical day involves the student spending 45 to 60 minutes per subject working independently, while the parent acts as a facilitator who monitors progress and grades through a real-time dashboard. The curriculum is mastery-based, meaning students must pass a computer-graded quiz before moving on to the next topic, with larger unit tests requiring parent oversight. While the primary work happens on the screen, students often use printed 'study sheets' to take notes and may need basic household supplies for science lab assignments.
Switching to This?
Apex does not provide a formal diagnostic placement test, so parents usually place students based on their previous school transcripts or by reviewing the detailed course syllabi available on the Edmentum website. Families can easily start mid-year because the courses are self-paced and broken into distinct semesters, though it is best to begin at the start of a specific unit to maintain the flow of the mastery-based system. If you are switching from a video-centric or project-based curriculum, expect a significant adjustment period as the student adapts to the high volume of reading and the formal, academic tone of the assignments. Community members often suggest starting with 'Core' level courses for the first semester before attempting 'Honors' or 'AP' tracks to get a feel for the platform's rigor.
Curriculum Details
- Price
- $380 - $4560
- Grades
- 6 - 12
- Available As
- Digital
- Coverage
- All subjects
- Pacing
- Self-paced
- Parent Time
- 5-20 min/day
- Student Independence
- Fully independent
- Academic Level
- Above grade level
- Worldview
- Secular
Individual semester courses are $380 ($480 for AP). Full-time tuition for a school year typically ranges around $4,500 depending on course load.
Videos
Reviews We Consulted
Recommends the platform for its self-paced, accredited AP courses led by certified teachers, though notes it is pricier than some state-funded alternatives.
"At Apex, all online AP courses are self-paced, which means no live sessions are required... Students complete a number of interactive activities throughout the semester(s) with the support of certified online teachers."
Characterizes the curriculum as a "workhorse" for formal credits and AP prep but warns of low student engagement and post-merger operational friction.
"Apex delivers structured, text-heavy online courses for grades 6 through 12—strong on AP and credit recovery, weaker on engagement. The Edmentum merger has created real operational headaches."
Provides a scathing student perspective, calling the interface monotonous and "soul-crushing" while criticizing technical bugs and a punishing pace.
"I never thought I'd see a curriculum more monotonous and soul-crushing than common core, but here we are. For an online school, APEX is the bottom of the barrel. It forces you to learn and master entire concepts in a few hours, while punishing you if you fall behind."
Highlights high student satisfaction with the quality of teachers and the success of specific AP science and math tracks.
"I have taken AP Language and Composition, Science Foundations, Geometry, Biology, and Algebra I. They have all been successes and I have been very happy with all of them. I have had 8 teachers (including substitutes), and they are all understanding, knowledgeable about their area of expertise, and fabulous teachers."
Updated: March 2026
How This Compares
Compared to Time4Learning, which is often seen as more casual and interactive, Apex is significantly more rigorous and academically formal, making it a preferred choice for students targeting competitive college admissions or NCAA eligibility. When weighed against Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Flex, Apex offers a more independent experience because it does not require the frequent, mandatory phone check-ins with teachers (Discussion Based Assessments) that FLVS demands. Parents choosing between Apex and Silicon Valley High School often find that while Silicon Valley relies heavily on video lectures, Apex is much more text-heavy, which suits students who prefer to read and process information at their own speed rather than watching a presentation.
Getting Started
See What It Looks Like
Detailed list of available subjects including AP, honors, and elective tracks.
A high-level summary of the curriculum structure, accreditation, and student experience.
Get Support
Explains how families can use individual courses to supplement an existing homeschool curriculum.
Purchase
Provides clear pricing for both full-time and part-time enrollment options.
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