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Penn Foster Virtual High School
Print-Based Courses

Print-Based courses consist of printed study guides and textbooks, exams, written assignments, and other exciting learning activities designed to help students succeed. 

All instructional support, textbooks, workbooks, online content, and labs are included in the cost of the course.

Note: A computer is required for the print-based courses in order for students to access the online study guide supplements and submit assessments.

Core Subjects* (Click for course description)
Human Relations
Methods of analyzing and improving relations with other people in personal life and working environments. Accents individual productivity, teamwork, working relationships, dealing with frustration, organizing, repairing relationships, and maintaining one's attitude.
Reading Skills
A study of techniques applicable to any type of reading. Includes reviewing, predicting, scanning, finding the main idea, and drawing conclusions. Discusses how to determine word meanings by examining context clues, and differentiating fact from opinion to identify bias. Also covers poetry and fiction.
Basic English
Fundamentals of English for effective communication. Capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and spelling are covered, with an aim toward writing clearer sentences.
General Math I (1 credit)
A study of the fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, preceding the more advanced topics of weights, measures, ratios, proportions, and percents.
Fitness and Nutrition (1 credit)
Covers the forms and functions of the muscular, cardio respiratory and skeletal systems. Discusses the role of energy and mechanisms for transferring it to exercise. Shows you how to adapt exercise programs for those with special needs, and how to prevent and treat injuries. Describes the details of proper nutrition.
American History (1 credit)
Discussion of people, events, and sociopolitical forces that have shaped America, from its discovery to the present. Shows how American history affects today's events and global conditions.
Practical English (1 credit)
Develops writing skills by emphasizing sentence structure, paragraphs, letters, and compositions. Opens with a study of grammar, including the parts of speech, punctuation, spelling, and word usage. Explains the writing process and emphasizes an individual approach.
Consumer Math (1 credit)
Simple ways to apply mathematics to the everyday areas of life, most of them involving money: employment, purchases, home, car, insurance, savings, and investments.
Earth Science (1 credit)
A study of the scientific method, the formation of the solar system, the moon's phases, the movement of the earth, plate tectonics, the formation of the oceans, and erosion. Also looks at chemical principles, rock and mineral analysis, soil formation, and weather patterns.
Civics (1 credit)
Covers the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of American citizens. Reviews the roots of American government and studies the modern U.S. government — its branches; the Constitution and Bill of Rights; the roles of federal, state and local governments; political parties and elections. Discusses the relationships between America and other nations.
Written Communication (1 credit)
Step-by-step instructions for handling sentence structure, paragraphing, punctuation, grammar, and pronunciation. Emphasizes practical writing techniques and library research. Topics include increasing vocabulary, understanding others better, and expressing oneself confidently.
Biology (1 credit)
A study of characteristics of life, chemistry of cells, and the links between life and energy. Discusses evolution, ecosystems, heredity, and adaptation. Also covers human body systems and activities.
General Math II (1 credit)
A study of the fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, preceding the more advanced topics of weights, measures, ratios, proportions, and percents.
World History (1 credit)
A study of global history with attention focused on important facts and significant concepts. Includes considerable discussion of recent world affairs, and the past is viewed in terms of current forces and problems.
Physical Science (1 credit)
A study of matter and energy: their nature and the relationships between them. Explains the role of atomic structure in chemical and nuclear reactions. Emphasizes problem-solving skills and discusses the relationship between science, technology, and the environment. Covers topics such as water, the chemistry of building materials, fuels, natural and synthetic rubbers and plastics, energy in relation to motion and force, machines, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism.
Literature (1 credit)
Covers the reading of short stories, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Intended to give a deeper appreciation of the relationship between literature and life, and of the pleasures and benefits of reading.
 
Academic Electives* (Click for course description)
Algebra I (1 credit)
A study of basic operations with signed numbers, monomials, and polynomials. Also includes formulas, equations, inequalities, graphing, exponents, roots, quadratic equations, and algebraic fractions.
Algebra II (1 credit)
A study of algebraic functions, ratios, proportions, logarithms, variations, progressions, theorems, matrices, determinants, inequalities, permutations, and probability.
American Literature (1 credit)
Includes a study of literary terms, structural elements of genres and interpreting selected works to read more effectively for both knowledge and enjoyment. Discusses what it has meant and now means to be an American as shown through each major period of American Literature.
Calculus (1 credit)
Explains the derivative of a function and the applications of derivatives, the integral and how to use it, and methods of integration.
Chemistry (1 credit)
A study of the structure and reactions of matter. Discusses elemental symbols, chemical reactions, and the role of energy in those reactions. Also covers organic and nuclear chemistry.
Geometry (1 credit)
A study of the properties of points, lines, planes, and angles; polygons and triangles; circles; solids.
Psychology (1 credit)
Provides an introduction to the roots and the development of modern psychology. Discusses states of consciousness, and theories of intelligence, development, and personality. Also looks at gender roles, stress, psychological disorders, and social factors that affect people in groups.
Spanish (1 credit)
Includes articulate speaking, active reading, and comprehensive listening. Covers the details of Spanish vocabulary and grammar, and improves fluency through listening to and creating stories. Enables you to learn and use the language for business situations and other purposes.
Trigonometry/Analytical Geometry (1 credit)
The study of basic principles of trigonometry (including proving identities, solving trigonometric equations, using inverse functions, and plotting trigonometric functions). Analytical geometry in which geometry by means of arithmetic and algebra is studied in relationship to coordinates.
 
General Electives* (Click for course description)
Art Appreciation (1 credit)
Description coming soon.
Business Math (1 credit)
A review of basic math skills and principles along with a study of various business math topics such as income, maintaining a checking account, interest, installment buying, discounts, and markups.
Economics (1 credit)
Compares and contrasts the economic systems that people use in various parts of the world. Discusses the function of money, the law of supply and demand, and the role of banks and government within capitalist economies.
English Communication (1 credit)
Explains how to avoid grammatical errors when writing sentences and paragraphs, how to make words work for you, and how to improve your image by using the right word in the right place.
General Science (1 credit)
A look at the basic principles of the entire spectrum of the sciences, including physics, chemistry, and biology. Explores atoms and molecules, light and sound, electricity and magnetism, astronomy, the rise of life on Earth, human anatomy, and genetics.
Keyboarding & Word Processing (1 credit)
Learn appropriate keyboarding techniques and use specialized software to develop speed accuracy in keyboarding. Also, learn to use basic word processing functions in Microsoft Word to format business documents. One exam. Note: Student needs access to Microsoft Word to complete this course.
Music (1 credit)
Covers the forms of music through history, from medieval times to the present, and discusses music theory and instrumentation. Enables the student to evaluate the quality of music by active listening. Includes music CDs.
 
Vocational Electives
Appliance Repair (1 credit)
Get a head start toward a business of your own repairing home appliances. Includes details on using tools, testing electric appliances, relays, and motors.
Artist (1 credit)
Study two-dimensional designs, color theory, animal art, and basic drawing. Easy-to-follow lessons make it simple for even beginners to learn. Includes videos, pencils, drawing paper, perspective kit, and charcoal drawing kit.
Auto Repair Technician (1 credit)
Learn about the automotive repair field, engine parts and operation, and engine types. Includes a practical exercise.
Basic Electronics (1 credit)
Learn the fundamentals of electricity. You'll study conductors, insulators, batteries, circuit analysis, Ohm's law, and multimeter usage. Includes practical exercises, practice kits, and learning aids.
Bookkeeping (1 credit)
Experts show you the basics you need to get into this moneymaking field. Learn about the accounting equation, assets, liabilities, owner's equity, and much more. Includes pocket electronic calculator.
Catering/Gourmet Cooking (1 credit)
Learn how to make money in your own food catering business. Topics include an introduction to catering, the dynamics of the catering business, food styles in catering, and alcoholic beverages.
Child Day Care Management (1 credit)
Experts explain everything step by step: the benefits of child day care, licensing requirements, managing staff, and details on child growth and development. Features Ages and Stages Chart and Student Observation Guide.
Computer Assisted Small Business Management (1 credit)
Provides an introduction on how to prepare to start your own business. Learn the basics of a business plan.
Dental Assistant (1 credit)
Demand is on the rise around the U.S. for skilled Dental Assistants. Your Career Key elective includes information on dentistry and dental assisting, terms and anatomy, dentists and the law, and basic dental examinations. Learning aids and special supplements included with your program.
Desktop Publishing and Design (1 credit)
This exciting program will introduce you to one of the fastest-growing computer career fields! Master the electronic publishing process, the elements of design, and the kinds of graphics and illustrations desktop publishers can create. E-scale/pica ruler, font guide, proportion scale, and special supplements included.
Drafting (1 credit)
You don't need art experience or drawing skills to enjoy security, prestige, and income from this rewarding career field. Learn to use the drafters' world language, understand size and shape description, and project orthographic views.
Electrician (1 credit)
Learn how to get started as an electrician, work with electrician's tools, and the basics of wiring in this fascinating program. Electricians make great money and demand is high in the construction and maintenance fields.
Floral design (1 credit)
Turn your love of flowers into a moneymaking business. You'll learn the basics here—care and handling of flowers, classifying flowers and plants, and the principles of design. Your elective program includes a bow tying video, learning aids, and a floral designer's pronunciation guide on audiocassette.
Home Inspector (1 credit)
Learn some of the most important parts of the Home Inspector's job. Discover the opportunities in this great field and how you can work part-time hours and earn full-time income. Audiocassettes, learning aids, and special supplements included.
Interior Decorator (1 credit)
Be the one friends and neighbors rely on to make their homes look great. Lessons include how to meet a client's needs, design with furniture, and more. Client/Needs Analyzer and furniture template included.
Medical Office Assistant (1 credit)
Get a look at what it's like to work side by side with doctors in the rewarding health care field. Topics include learning strategies, time and stress management, interpersonal communication, and law and medical ethics. Includes an audiotape and a supplement on speaking and communication skills.
Personal Computer Specialist (1 credit)
Topics include using and understanding Windows, understanding software, and adding software to your computer.
Pharmacy Technician (1 credit)
An introduction to the Pharmacy Technician profession. Provides details on drug information sources, drug development, and drug manufacturers. Learning aids included.
Small Engine Repair (1 credit)
Learn the basics of engine repair, including tool usage, small engine parts and operation, lubrication, cooling, and ignition systems.
Teacher Aide (1 credit)
Discusses the skills needed to be a valuable member of the classroom team as a teacher aide. Topics include skills for the effective teacher aide, child development and human behavior, how children learn, and enhancing children's self-esteem.
Veterinary Assistant (1 credit)
Skills needed to become a Veterinary Assistant are presented. Topics include introduction to animal care, animal behavior, handling and restraint, and veterinary terminology. Includes a video, veterinary dictionary, pronunciation guides, and flash cards.
World Geography (1 credit)
Shows the physical environment of human beings and the means they use to supply their political and economic needs. Includes maps, charts, graphs, and pictures of the main areas of the world.