School Profile

TPS – The Potter’s School is accredited as an independent private school by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). Established in 1997, TPS maintains a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. Homeschool and independent students in all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries currently use TPS courses to support their high school graduation requirements and prepare for college.

• TPS was established in 1997 to offer academically rigorous full scope standards-based course options for independent students (e.g., homeschoolers). In steadfast commitment to that mission, TPS gradually evolved into a regionally accredited online K-12 school.
• TPS students have historically been accepted to ranked Christian colleges, top-tier state colleges, U.S. Ivy League schools, every U.S. military academy, and international universities.
• A student may enroll in individual courses or may enroll full-time with the option to earn our diploma.
  • Course accessibility and evaluation standards are the same for all students in all courses, regardless of enrollment level or diploma status.
  • We offer two tiers of diploma: Standard and Honors, with differentiated four-year requirements for each tier.
  • Graduation with a TPS diploma signifies that the student meets or exceeds TPS credit standards in all subject areas and courses for all four years of high school. Diploma Program status is indicated on the transcripts provided to colleges. It should be considered as validating a higher overall sustained academic accomplishment.
  • Only TPS diploma students are included in TPS graduating class statistics and reports.
• TPS functions at the upper end of the academic spectrum: 18+ certified AP® courses (more than half of our AP exam scores are 4/5); 15+ dual credit college courses (certified and transcripted by Belhaven University); 25+ Honors courses (where “Honors” requires specific academic criteria above an existing non-honors course).
• TPS follows a two-semester 32-week academic year that starts in late August and ends in mid-May. We do not offer partial, shortened, condensed, relaxed, or remedial credits.
• Our courses are taught live (synchronously) with audio, video, interactive slides, a shared whiteboard, and other interactive presentation tools.
• Pandemic Impact:  Because our well-established online course accessibility and delivery was not affected by the pandemic, our course content, pace, and evaluation standards did not change during or in the ongoing aftermath of the pandemic. Students taking our courses have continued to receive full courses with unadjusted content and standards, which should be considered in comparative reviews of accomplishment.
• Our courses are designed and regularly reviewed to meet or exceed respected external standards (e.g., College Board, IGCSE, professional associations) for learning objectives and measures of performance.
• Our course grades are substantially determined by exams, essays, and labs or projects formally evaluated by the teacher. Tests are proctored and assignment due dates are enforced with grade penalties.
• Course transcript grades are not weighted. A student who chooses the challenge of a TPS Honors course might reasonably have earned a letter grade higher (5-10%) in the TPS non-honors course.
• TPS certified AP® courses are intended to prepare the student for the AP exam. AP exam scores should be considered when reviewing a TPS transcript with AP courses (most TPS AP students earn 4/5 scores). Where there is no corresponding AP exam score for external validation, TPS recommends that the course be considered as an Honors course for review and comparison purposes.
• TPS is non-denominational private Christian school. Our courses are taught with a biblical worldview, with the course content and resources selected based on academic scholarship rather than denominational agenda. Students are not required to affirm a statement of faith.