Stride's Career Program Revenue Tops $1 Billion Amid Mixed Student Outcomes

For high school students seeking to bypass college costs, virtual career academies offer a direct path to industry credentials. The model is expanding rapidly, but the results depend heavily on state regulations and individual student engagement. Stride Inc., a publicly traded education company, reported that revenue from its middle and high school career learning programs exceeded $1 billion in fiscal year 2026, a 19% increase from the previous year.

The company now manages more than 50 online secondary schools. Stride officials say the growth reflects a national trend where students and families look for alternatives to traditional four-year degrees. The company has operated virtual schools since 2000 and describes career learning as the fastest-growing part of its business.

Student experiences vary by location. Mileka Hager enrolled at the Idaho Technical Career Academy in 2023 after facing harassment at her public high school. She chose the business track and attended live classes for four hours daily. She earned eight professional certifications, including a certificate in entry-level marketing concepts. According to state data, 61% of students at her school earned industry-recognized credentials in the 2024-25 academic year, compared with a 7% state average.

Conversely, Cori Space attended the Alabama Destinations Career Academy during her sophomore year. Her mother, Hilary Space, said the family received no guidance on enrolling Cori in a specific career path. Cori attended live classes only two hours per week. Her mother described the school days as "concerningly short." Cori graduated without career-specific credentials.

Oversee differences drive these outcomes. Idaho requires private providers to operate as public charter schools with independent nonprofit boards. The state Division of Career Technical Education reviews each vocational program every five years. In Alabama, a 2015 law allows local districts to contract directly with private companies. Local boards have wide latitude in designing these schools, and some have monitored them loosely. One county superintendent told the Alabama Political Reporter in 2020 that there had never been enough oversight.

Stride spokesperson Brooke Gabbert noted that many students enroll to satisfy elective requirements rather than complete a full career path. She stated that this variation is by design. However, at the Wisconsin Destination Career Academy, only 16 students earned an industry-recognized certification between the 2021-22 and 2024-25 school years. Stride officials dispute this figure, claiming over 500 students earned certifications, citing differences in how the company and the state define credentials.

The Wisconsin academy's 2024-25 academic growth score placed it in the bottom 10% of state high schools. Teachers there do set up job shadows and ship practice kits for health sciences students. Yet, because these activities are often optional, students with anxiety or other challenges may not participate. Elly Krawinkel, who entered the Wisconsin school in 2023, graduated in May without credentials or work-based credits due to her social anxiety.