James Madison High School Ranks among Future Military Recruits as DOD Elevates Status to Tier I

A trip to a mass retailer reveals the early signs of store displays and back-to-school merchandise. Yes, it’s that time again. This year, however, a select group of students have something to be extra excited. Online schools like James Madison High School (hhtp://www.JMHS.com/) have been elevated from Tier II status to Tier I.

So what does this mean? Previously, some high school seniors who planned to enter the military upon graduation had difficulty enlisting because the Department of Defense classified an online high school’s diploma as Tier II or “non-traditional”. A high school graduate would need to complete 15 college credit hours before enlisting. Even if accepted, recruits would be given a lesser rank than peers having graduated from traditional, brick and mortar institutions.

Additionally, for graduates of online schools like James Madison, there was a cap on the number of new recruits allowed from Tier II schools. Depending on the individual branch, only 1-5% of recruits each year could be from the Tier II division.

“Earlier this year, President Obama’s endorsement of the National Defense Authorization Act has had a positive impact for many James Madison students,” said John Riser, Principal of James Madison High School. “Now, coupled with our recent adoption of Common Core, our high school graduates have the credentials they’ll need to enlist in the military, apply to college, or pursue whatever interests they choose.

James Madison, an Ashworth College school, recently became one of the first schools to implement The Common Core State Standards Initiative, a state-led initiative to standardize the learning expectations of students, grades K-12 and delivers a curriculum that transcends state boundaries and fully aligns with today’s college entrance requirements and work expectations.

Riser went on to explain that both James Madison’s and Ashworth College’s curricula have been developed to address the needs of today’s working adults students. Along with the flexibility to affordably study whenever and wherever the student chooses, going to school online becomes a natural fit for military personnel and their families.

About Ashworth College and James Madison High School

Celebrating 25 years of Educating Minds and Changing Lives, leading online school Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence by offering students worldwide an extensive range of online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth is parent to James Madison High School which is accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED and further provides career training and vocational programs in the fields of health, business, technology, education, and skilled trades through sister schools PCDI Canada, New York Institute of Photography and Sheffield School.