ComplaintsforContinental Academy

• Initial Complaint

  08/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid for the highschool diploma home school program thru continental academy on to find out its not accredited I worked hard only to find out it was a waste of money that I dont have to waste I just want my money back all of it

  Business response

  08/23/2023

  This student did not communicate with us. This student went directly to the Better Business Bureau. This student has received all of the services paid for and has received her diploma. At the time of enrollment, the student agreed to the terms and conditions of the enrollment that are fully disclosed on the enrollment application. According to the terms and conditions of the enrollment application, this student is not *********** a refund.

• Initial Complaint

  07/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I saved every ***** I had as a teenager to go into a homeschool program that was accredited so I could be in a safe environment. However over the years I have been turned down from college after college trying to further my education so I can get a better job and life just to find out that they are not accredited or that the accreditation they do have is not expected they are extremely rude and extremely expensive for transcripts.

  Business response

  07/17/2023

  We have reviewed this student's complaint. Please be advised that this is the first complaint that Continental Academy has received from this student since the student graduated in 2004.  We are now in year 2023. Therefore, we can assume that this student has already benefited from receiving his Continental Academy diploma. The college that the student is currently applying with is failing to explain to the student that the college admissions requirements of today are not the same admissions requirements that existed prior to year 2010. Also, the academic programs that Continental Academy offers today are not the same academic programs offered prior to year 2010. Prior to year 2010, the vast majority of colleges and trade schools had an "open door " admissions policy whereby the student would only have to submit their high school transcript for admissions and financial aid - accreditation was not an issue and for this reason Continental Academy offered a college bound program prior to year 2010. However, in 2010, the U.S. ***** of ********* established new rules for colleges and trade schools regarding admissions and financial aid. Beginning in 2010, through new regulations, colleges and trade schools were forced to move away from an "open door" admissions policy of accepting all applicants to accepting only applicants with a "regionally accredited" diploma (a 4 year high school program) or a GED from the local public school or community college. The colleges changed their admissions policy in 2010 and Continental Academy was also forced to change their admissions policy in 2010 because the majority of Continental Academy students are adults who have absolutely no interest in enrolling in a 4 year high school program. Also, there is no financial aid for 4 year high school programs because the public high schools are  free which means that students would have to pay between $1,000 to $1,500 per year for a 4 year regionally accredited high school program (most adult students would rather take a $50.00 GED test at their local public high school). For these reasons beginning in 2010. Continental Academy developed the **** program which is primarily for employment purposes in the private sector or for personal satisfaction and no longer offer a college bound program. The last year Continental Academy had a college bound program was year 2009.

  The student making this complaint would have to meet the current admissions and financial aid requirements like any other student in America. This student does not meet the current admissions requirements because he does not have a regionally accredited high school diploma (4 year high school program ) or GED diploma. Unfortunately, this student also did not apply to college prior to year 2010 when the colleges and trade schools had an open door admissions policy.
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I attended Continental Academy as a teenager, but sadly was unable to complete my courses. As a 31-year-old I am now working to get my high school diploma from a local program for adults. Continental Academy refused to give me my transcripts from the time I had spent enrolled there, even though I said, I would pay whatever fees they required. I spoke with a person by the name of *******, who would not give me any other identifying information that for me to get my transcript, I would need to re-enroll and complete my courses, then pay a graduation fee and a transcript fee. This person was extremely hostile from the beginning of our conversation. Not helpful at all would give no other reasoning other than its against their policy. This is the fourth school two of which are also online programs that I have sought my transcripts from and yet Continental academy was the only one that was unable to do so

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Got high school diploma in **** now can't continue my college because no one will except it all this time I told my kids I had a high school diploma now I don't i deserve a refund and more.

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I recently reached out to Continental academy, regarding receiving a copy of my transcripts. I was shortly emailed back saying I owed ****** and something dollars. And that I dropped out and that *** never truly finish the program which is very false information. Back in 2009 I completed their program and I paid all of my fees. I dont remember receiving the diploma but I do remember receiving my transcripts that I had to paid for!!! I then was able to enroll into college for psychology and a couple of years later I was able to enroll into another college for journalism and mass communication. So Im trying to understand how I was able to enroll into colleges apply for loans and grab money yet. *** never graduated high school according to them. I asked several people in the company to explain this to me. All of the reps that *** spoken to including the principal ************************* continue to tell me that I needed to pay the $400 in order to graduate. They also let me know that unless I receive the diploma it means I didnt graduate which makes no sense. Back in *********************************************** to receive your transcripts. I did not want the diploma. I just needed my transcript so I can enroll it into college. Im very baffled and why this company is saying that I owe ******. And if I dont pay that Im not a graduate, but it as soon as I pay it. Im a graduate. Im looking for them to just give me my transcripts and to wipe the debt of $400 because I do not owe it. I paid all my fees upfront theyre trying to tell me I only paid $15 which makes no sense I know I paid all my fees thats why I was able to get my transcripts and thats why I was able to go to college I wouldnt be able to go to college if I didnt have those transcripts. Im very frustrated and very disappointed and I feel hoodwinked and I am going to look into taking legal action because this doesnt make any sense if youre smart stay away from this company or go somewhere else.

  Business response

  03/21/2023

  Please be advised that this student's account is on dropped status due to non-payment. Since 2009, this student has been trying to request a transcript without paying the required tuition. Continental Academy has NEVER released a transcript regarding this student. The tuition balance of $435.00 may be paid by Money Order or Cashier's Check and mailed to *************************************************************************. Continental Academy will not be responding to any more Better Business Bureau complaints from this student.

• Initial Complaint

  02/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I Received This Saying My Diploma Can Not Be Use To ************** I Want My Refund I Tried To Call Contineental Academy I Paid $850 I Also Lost My Job Over This . This iS eMAIL fROM COLLEGE **********************************:Hey *****, I hope you are doing okay, been trying to call you but the phone # is saying disconnected. I wanted to speak with you about the high school you received your diploma from because "Continental Academy " is not an accredited school the admissions department was not able to approve your acceptance to the ***************** If this was an error please give me a call back , so we can update this information. Thank You. ********************************* Admissions ******************************* Online ********************** ********************************************* Office #: ************ Email: ****************************** www.southuniversity.edu South_Estab1899_CMYK **************** the right direction for a brighter future Confidentiality Notice This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this message. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original message. Neither the sender nor the company for which he or she works accepts any liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.****************

  Business response

  02/28/2023

  This complaint is inaccurate. The student claims that he paid $850.00 for tuition. What he actually paid was $350.00 in year **** and he recently requested a transcript to be sent to **************** and paid $40.00. The admissions requirements for college admissions today are not the same college admissions requirements that existed prior to year 2010. Prior to year 2010, the vast majority of colleges and trade schools had an "open door" admissions policy whereby the college applicant simply had to show proof of high school completion with a high school transcript (accreditation was not an issue) and due to this open door admissions policy Continental Academy offered a college bound program prior to year 2010 and many of our graduates enrolled in **************** prior to year 2010. However, beginning in 2010, the U.S. ********** of ********* established new rules and regulations for colleges regarding their admissions and financial aid process. These new rules and regulations forced the colleges and trade schools to move away from an open door admissions policy to an admissions policy requiring college applicants to show proof that they graduated from either a regionally accredited high school program (this is a 4 year program; grades ****) or successfully passed the *** exam (the only schools that are authorized to offer the *** exam is the local public school or the local community college). Most of Continental Academy students are adults that have absolutely no interest in enrolling in a 4 year high school program or paying $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 per academic year to graduate from a regionally accredited high school program (there is no financial aid for these programs because the public high schools are free). Our adult students would rather take the *** exam at their local public high school and pay approximately $130.00 to graduate within 3 months. Therefore, it does not make sense for Continental Academy to offer a 4 year regionally accredited high school program. Since 2010, Continental Academy has been offering only the **** program which has been designed specifically for students who need an opportunity to earn a high school proficiency diploma for private sector jobs that require proof of high school proficiency , or, students who desire an opportunity to obtain a high school proficiency diploma for self-improvement and/or personal satisfaction.

  In terms of the refund request made by the student, Continental Academy fully disclosed to the student at the time of enrollment through our written terms and conditions of enrollment to please be advised that the acceptance of credits or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. Continental Academy makes no representation of any kind concerning the fitness of its curriculum to meet any legal, educational, certification, licensing, or employment requirements . Also, in year **** Continental Academy never claimed to be regionally accredited and offered a 30 day money back guarantee. This money back guarantee has expired. Therefore, this student is not entitled to a refund for the $350.00 tuition that was paid. However, out of professional courtesy, Continental Academy has authorized a full refund of the $40.00 that was paid by the student for the transcript that was sent to ****************. The student should see the $40.00 credit within 3 business days on his credit card. The reality of this case is that **************** requires the college applicant to show proof that he graduated from a 4 year regionally accredited high school program or successfully passed the *** exam and to date, this student does not have the proof required; this is the reason he was denied for admissions and financial aid. This student or any other college applicant must meet the current admissions requirements of the college that they are applying to.
  

  Customer response

  02/28/2023

  
  Complaint: 19387146
  
  I am rejecting this response because:PLEASE READ!
  If you graduated between July 2006 and January 2010, your diploma is consider legitimate. Anything over this time frame is invalid!
  (i.e. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, etc). Continental Academy lost its accreditation in 2010.
  
  Its useless calling Continental Academy regards to accreditation, they'll tell you they are an accredited school even when they are no longer and in my opinion they should be sued for false advertisement!! Its wrong!
  
  This diploma is ONLY good IF and when your looking for JOB OPPORTUNITIES, hence why Colleges will not accept the diploma. Your lucky if you get accepted to any college(s). But you have to show proof with an original transcript stating your graduation date, again you have to graduate within the time frame listed in the first paragraph from Continental to get accepted into the college(s) you want to attend.
  
  Please Read the claims on Continental Academys website first before proceeding. Good luck!
  
  Jonitka Brown (01/07/2017 00:37)
  I'm doing great
  
  ****** ******** (02/04/2017 21:28)
  I got into college with no problem. Went to ************************** in ***********, *****. But I did apply to other colleges and was told they didn't accept this because it isn't accredited. Very few colleges do accept, though.
  
  *******************;(23/01/2017 12:20)
  Received high school diploma and have not been accepted to any school are they willing to work with you and get you accredited?
  
  Eleeshia Eleeshia (11/12/2016 02:22)
  Continental Academy lost their accreditation in or around 2008-10. if you graduated between that time period, your high school diploma will not be accepted mostly anywhere. I had to contact the board of education to get a letter stating that my high school diploma was legitimate. I graduated in 2007, CSE, *****, and Lccc all accepted my high school transcript.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  09/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Continental Academy lost its accreditation in 2009, while I was in school, never informed me. I've had so many jobs deny me after researching the school and finding this out. I tried to go to a college and after admissions dug into the high school to find this out themselves, I was denied admissions because of the accreditation. The company is ridiculous and calling there is not helpful. I've requested transcripts and I've had them come late, and I would love to request a new diploma but I'm scared they won't send it. I'm trying to request one now and every time I submit a form to the e-mail that they have on file, I get a "non-deliverable" e-mail back to my e-mail address. How in the world am I going to make this work for my current college? This company has disappointed me and I know they won't fix it, so what's the point in asking? If they will fix it, it'll be for more money because that's what they seem to be concerned about - not the happiness of their customers.

  Business response

  09/19/2022

  This student graduated more than 12 years ago. To date, Continental Academy has no record of this student ever reporting to us or the BBB that she was not satisfied with her program or diploma.  If she needs a transcript, it is very simple, simply visit www.continentalacademy.com and ***************** on the top red navigation bar and print the transcript request form.  Once we receive the completed form and payment we will process her request. If she needs a replacement diploma simply call ************** and request a replacement diploma. Recently, we have not received a request for a transcript or a replacement diploma. We will be waiting for her request.

  Customer response

  09/19/2022

   
  Complaint: 18044828
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I called numerous times complaining about the fact that I had been rejected from jobs due to the lack of accreditation, nothing was said, no apologies were offered. Nothing. 
  

  Im aware of how to request a transcript, I said the email failed to send to the one that Im supposed to.

  All in all, I did not enjoy my experience with this college.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  09/20/2022

  Please be so kind to refer the student to our toll-free phone number for further assistance **************. Thank you.

  Customer response

  09/20/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My name is ************************* and I graduated from continental academy in ****************************** 2009 while they were still accredited. I paid monthly installments to pay for this schooling. I was able to use my diploma to aquire my cna certification but other than that I have not been able to use it to further my schooling and most jobs do not accept it. I was told the school was fully accredited and I was able to use it to further my education..which was not the case. If they lost their credentials while I was attending I should of been notified or offered a reimbursement considering when I started. And if they were in the process of losing there credentials than they should of not been taking on new students at least without telling them.

  Business response

  07/13/2022

  Please be advised that Continental Academy has no record of this student being dissatisfied with their academic program since the student graduated in 2010. Continental Academy is glad to hear that this student was able to use the Continental Academy high school diploma to pursue her CNA certification. If the student is not satisfied with her diploma, please have the student mail her diploma to Continental Academy for a full refund. Our mailing address is *************************************************************************.

• Initial Complaint

  06/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Back in **** i dropped out of high school. I still had 11th and 12th grade to complete back then. So i enrolled in the accredited Continental Academy out of ************, **. In December **** I graduated from Continental Academy receiving my high school diploma thru them. In **** i enrolled to the college, ************************************ with said high school diploma. Went for a year to this school. In **** i enrolled in ******************************** with said high school diploma for a semester. Later in **** i then transferred to **************************** with said high school diploma. Went for a year. Received credits at each college as well. In 2021, i went to apply for cosmetology at ********************************, a college i had already attended. They requested my transcripts and my high school diploma. I got my financial aid accepted and all that they needed. Few days later i get a call saying they are sorry but i can not be accepted due to my Continental Academy High School diploma not being accepted. I was in shock! Like why not?. I have been enrolled with this college before with said high school diploma and have credits as well. They informed me that they do not accept Continental Academy as they are not accredited school. I was in so much disbelief and confusion. I went home to ****** about it and come to find out back in 2009 they stopped paying their accreditation fees. They choose not to pay for that. I called them and they were no help to me at all. They acted as if everything was good since i had been to college with it. Well it is not! Someone needs to put an end to this school! I feel you should be the one repaying my student loans since my high school diploma is useless and now my college credits are as well. I am now in 2022 having to get my GED so i can go back to college to become a Phlebotomist. YOU STILL ARE OFFERING THIS NO GOOD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA in 2022. YOU NEED TO BE STOPPED!!

  Business response

  07/13/2022

  The academic programs that Continental Academy offers today are not the same academic programs that Continental Academy offered prior to year 2010 and the college admissions requirements of today are not the same admissions requirements that existed prior to year 2010. Prior to year 2010, the vast majority of colleges (especially community colleges and trade schools) had an open door admissions policy whereby you simply had to show proof that you graduated from high school by submitting your high school transcript (accreditation was not an issue). It was due to the college's open door admissions policy that Continental Academy offered the academic program and that ***** was able to qualify for admissions and financial aid at several colleges prior to year 2010. However, in year 2010, the U.S. ***** of ********* established new rules and regulations which forced the colleges and universities to change their open door admissions policy and begin requiring applicants to show proof that they graduated from either a regionally accredited high school (proof that the student completed a 4 year academic program) or that they graduated from a *** program in order to qualify for admissions and financial aid. The only schools that are authorized to offer the *** program is the local public high school or community college. The majority of students at Continental Academy are adults that have absolutely no interest in enrolling in a four year high school program or pay the required fees which can run anywhere from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 per academic year ( there is no financial aid for these programs because the public high schools are free ). For these reasons, since 2010, Continental Academy has only offered a workforce development program which is primarily used for employment in the private sector or for personal satisfaction. The last year Continental Academy offered a college bound program was 2009 due to the new rules and regulations established by the U.S. ***** of *********. ***** certainly benefited from our academic program. She was able to graduate from high school in less than 4 weeks compared to being in high school for the last 2 years. She was able to attend several colleges and receive financial aid due to receiving her Continental Academy high school diploma. Unfortunately, she never finished her college program and she does not have the high school credential that is required of any college applicant to meet the college admissions requirements of today.

  Customer response

  07/13/2022

   
  Complaint: 17423278
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Sure i was able to attend college and receive financial aid back then. But due to life events back then i couldnt continue college. Now i am able to go back. But the thing now is, my high school diploma with you is worthless. I now have had to ho get my ged.  Ridiculous.    I just want others to be aware its not a regular high school diploma.  Since things changed back in 2010, your lack of wanting to be accredited in times of change is pathetic. Im not the only one who has been affected by this and its sad. 
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  05/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I had dropped out of high school back in 2007 due to pregnancy and complications. A friend had told me about Continental Academy and decided to enroll and paid $350.00. After receiving my High School Diploma in 2010 I decided to enroll to 3 different colleges and unfortunately was told that they had lost their accreditation in 2009. I was never advised of this before starting school with them, and now Iam so upset and lost my motivation to even sign up for school GED to pursue a better career for my future and my kids. This school is a fraud and should be taken to court for abusing peoples rights.

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