Mom and daughter practicing math facts together

Miacademy vs. K12

Choosing the Best Homeschool Curriculum

At Miacademy, our top priority is to make a great education accessible to all students. Whether you are a homeschool family or are simply looking for fun after-school activities, our goal is to keep your students learning. 

We know that your child’s education comes first, and choosing the best homeschool curriculum for your family can be difficult! In this article, we’ll cover a variety of features from both Miacademy and K12 to help you compare services effectively.

It’s important to note that K12 has multiple options for online education. For this comparison, we will be analyzing their Independent Study and Online Public School options.

While Miacademy and K12 both offer independent online homeschooling options, these are some of the key details that set us apart:

Miacademy

Miacademy’s learning experience is completely independent. All lessons are pre-recorded, and you have full freedom over your student’s schedule and assignment due dates. Your student’s progress is automatically graded by the program. Miacademy offers both digital and optional hands-on activities, and the user-friendly learning interface is designed to help children build independent study skills. Lessons are intentionally gamified to keep students engaged while they learn at their own pace.

K12 Independent Study

K12’s homeschool courses are called Independent Study, and they allow students to work at their own pace. The courses combine digital and physical learning materials and require a guardian to play the role of Learning Coach to guide the student through their lessons. Lessons are pre-recorded and can be completed at any time. Learning Coaches are responsible for checking the student’s work and marking lessons as complete.

K12 Online Public School

K12’s online schools are most popular, and they require your student to attend live online lectures on a set schedule. Your student will have classmates, be able to speak with a teacher, and receive teacher feedback on their assignments. The schools your child can enroll in and the courses and opportunities they’ll have depend on the state you live in. 

Miacademy vs. K12: Overview

If you know what you’re looking for in your home education experience, a side-by-side comparison can help you decide what’s right for you! Here, we’ve provided a basic overview of all three programs, including areas such as accreditation, courses, and graduation:

MiacademyK12 Independent StudyK12 Online Public School
Are grades K-12 available?Yes. K-8th are on Miacademy and 9th-12th on MiaPrep.No. Independent Study courses are available for K-8 only. 9th-12th are available as Teacher-Led courses, which require enrollment in an online public school.Yes, grades K-12 are available with K12’s online public schools.
What core subjects are offered?-Language Arts
-Math
-Science
-Social Studies
-Language Arts
-Math
-Science
-Social Studies
-Language Arts
-Math
-Science
-Social Studies
What electives are offered?Electives are available for all students and include: 
-Computer Programming
-Art & Music
-Foreign Languages
-Physical Education
-Financial Literacy
-Career Exploration
-Biblical Studies
& more
Elementary electives:
-Art
-Music
-Foreign Language

Middle school electives include the above, plus:
-Career Prep

High school electives include the above, plus:
-Computer Science & Technology
-Business Management
-Health Science & more
Elective availability is determined by the online public school your child is enrolled in.
Is the program accredited?Yes. Miacademy is accredited as a supplemental education program by the ACS-WASC.Yes. The K12 corporation is accredited by Cognia.Yes. The K12 corporation is accredited by Cognia.
Are lessons automatically graded?YesYes. Online portions are automatically graded, but parents must review and ensure the lesson is complete.No. Assignments are typically graded within 72 hours, Monday-Friday.
Can students earn a high school diploma?Yes! MiaPrep Online High School grants a diploma upon graduation.NoYes, if you attend an online public high school through K12, you can earn a diploma.

Miacademy vs. K12: Homeschool Curriculum

The most important thing about any online homeschool curriculum is the quality of education. In addition, homeschooling families with multiple students can benefit greatly from a highly customizable curriculum. Here’s a breakdown of the K12 vs. Miacademy approaches to teaching and learning:

MiacademyK12 Independent StudyK12 Online Public School
Can I add any courses I want to my student’s curriculum?Yes. Students have unlimited access to thousands of lessons and activities across the site.Yes. An Independent Study subscription grants you access to over 250 individual courses.No. When you enroll your child, the subjects they learn are dictated by the school they are enrolled in.
Is it self-paced?Yes. Students can work at the pace that works best for their learning needs.Yes. Students can work at their own pace.No. Students must attend live online classes, and due dates are determined by the teacher.
Is course content customizable?Yes. Students can work on content in any order and omit as needed, with parent permission.Yes. Portions of lessons can be omitted when needed with parent permission.No. Students are limited by what their online school offers and the learning path their teacher provides.

Miacademy vs. K12: Total Cost

Miacademy’s subscriptions are all-inclusive, meaning that you get access to ALL the perks of our online homeschooling program, such as educational videos, activities, learning games, our safe online community, and our accredited curriculum made by real, certified teachers. So, how much does this cost? Here’s what to expect:

MiacademyK12 Independent StudyK12 Online Public School
Is there a trial period?30-day, money-back guarantee30-day, money-back guaranteeNo. Online public schools are free.
How much does it cost?$36 per month per student. We do offer family discounts, yearly subscriptions, and lifetime memberships that can all lower the monthly price.$30 per month, with options to pay for 12 months in advance at a cheaper monthly rate.The online public school option is free, but the online private school option does require tuition.
Does it include any additional features? Yes. Miacademy’s all-inclusive memberships include our fully moderated social community and educational games at no extra cost.Yes. K12 offers educational games on the Stride Arcade for $9.95 per month. Yes. K12 offers educational games on the Stride Arcade for $9.95 per month. 
In addition, actively enrolled families have access to virtual student clubs, groups, and other extracurricular activities.

Miacademy’s Homeschool Experience

Whether you plan to homeschool full time, supplement a public school education, or find fun after-school activities, Miacademy has got you covered! We offer plenty of lessons, games, and activities to keep your students learning.

As always, if you have any questions about Miacademy or MiaPrep’s accredited homeschool programs, our dedicated customer service team is always happy to help!

Information accurate as of: 11/08/2023. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.