Top Credit courses for 2026

Find high school credit courses near you

OurKids.net lists camps and programs in dozens of cities across the country. Find your city in the list below and find credit courses near you.

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More than just after-school classes

Kids and teens can also take credit courses through camp options, like those in lists linked to below. See your options below:

Search ALL CREDIT COURSES   

What will my child learn in a credit course?

Discipline. Many courses listed here are offered by organizations that emphasize high academic standards. By taking these courses, kids learn to take their school work seriously. They learn the value in self-motivation, and are rewarded for their hard work. Since credit courses allow kids to take courses over the summer, it’s also a great way to keep kids in an academic mindset over the long summer months, so they’re ready to take on the next school year ahead.

The school curriculum in their subject of choice. Courses offer credits in the fundamental high school subjects. From advanced functions to visual arts to computer science and writer’s craft, you’ll find all options. If your child has an interest or passion in any particular subject, they may benefit from taking it in an alternative academic setting. Credit courses offer kids the curriculum of their subject of choice, presented in the most effective way possible.

Self-regulation. In credit courses, kids have an opportunity to organize their own time. Some courses are offered online, and some are self-paced, meaning your child will not always have an instructor to keep them on task. Kids learn to organize themselves effectively and stay on track with the pace of the course. They also have access to their teacher when they need it, of course. However, credit courses give responsibility to kids and teens to self-regulate, a great skill for the “real world”.

Critical thinking skills. Credit courses also teach kids how to think. Kids will be taught the critical thinking skills necessary for academic life. This includes problem solving, analytical, and research skills. Kids can take these skills with them to future life challenges and careers. In addition, it gives them a leg up in university, where the development of critical thinking is a main goal.

What are the benefits of credit courses?

Earn school credit in an alternative setting. If your child struggles in a classroom environment, then credit courses may be perfect for them. Whether it’s the class size, teaching style, or resources available, some kids thrive better in credit programs. They offer the same high school credits in an alternative environment that includes smaller class sizes. In the more personable setting, kids feel more comfortable, receiving one-on-one attention, to get the most out of their experience. 

Get ahead in high school credits. Many courses listed here occur over the summer, allowing kids to get ahead in their high school credits. It’s a great option if your child has a difficult course load in the upcoming school year. Summer school courses allow them to get a credit or two off their plate, so they can focus on more challenging subjects during the school year. It is also a great option if they participate in sports. Getting credit over the summer opens up time to train during the school year!

Prepare for university or college. Many of the grade 11 and 12 courses listed prepare kids for university or college. The smaller class size and instructional setting allows teachers to deliver material more succinctly, to give kids the critical and independent thinking skills necessary to succeed in higher education. If your child needs a little extra help to get into their dream university program, credit courses may help them exponentially.

Get extra help in challenging subjects. Every child has a school subject in which they struggle. For some it’s advanced functions or calculus, while for others, English, business, or computer science are challenging. Courses listed here offer credits in most core high school subjects, so kids get extra help where they need it. Thanks to small class sizes, kids will have more one-on-one attention from teachers.

Get a higher quality education. Many of the credit courses listed here are offered at independent or private schools. These schools emphasize high quality education that sets kids up for success. They may have additional resources, alternative teaching styles, or higher academic standards than that of a public school. Courses are open to all, and credits are transferable.

Flexible delivery format. Many courses listed here emphasize flexibility. Some classes have online or in-person options. Courses in an accelerated format let kids focus intensively on the course and finish much quicker than a typical school term. Other courses tailor their classroom hours based on the subject. Some courses require more active learning time, whereas others are self-paced. To a degree, credit courses allow your child to customize their education to what works best for them. 

What to look for in credit courses

There are several reasons one might enroll their child in a credit course. Perhaps your child works best in a smaller class size, or in a more personable setting. Maybe a full course load during the school year is proving too challenging, and taking a credit over the summer will help your child succeed. Others may consider credit courses to help prepare their child for university, or to get individual attention from an instructor to help boost their grades. 

Here are some questions you may consider asking the organization that offers a credit course, to decide if it is the right fit:

• Do you offer online and in-person options?
• How many hours a week do classes run? How many hours of homework is assigned?
• Does the course run at an accelerated pace? Over how many weeks does the course run?
• How many students will be enrolled in this course?
• What is the instructor’s teaching style?
• What sorts of resources will my child have access to? (i.e. technology, learning software, a library)
• Is my child expected to bring their own laptop/tablet?

More help available from OurKids.net

You can also find educational help in other camps and programs available on our site. Consider how these options might also be a fit you.:

• Tutors & learning centres offer academic help for students who want to improve school grades in specific subjects. You'll find options for both individual and group tutoring programs.
• ESL Summer Camps focus on the development and improvement of English usage and vocabulary, in an environment where kids will have no need for self-consciousness and will flourish.  
• Debate and public speaking camps helps kids and teens develop confidence in their presentation, and their ability to build a case for a position they hold dear. 
• Leadership & service-oriented camps focus on personal development, and provide key learning for kids and teens who aspire to be their best.  Learn more about how camps help kids develop depth of character.

Combine this with more advice from OurKids.net

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Credit courses are there?
There are 10 programs specializing in Credit Courses. In addition, there are 22 programs offering credit courses as an activity. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.

What are the fees to attend Credit courses?
Fees for Credit courses range from $100 to $2,100 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

What age do Credit courses start at?
There are programs available for children aged 12 through 18.

Where can parents meet with Credit courses?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.