How does a homeschooled student graduate high school?

Question

Do you take the GED test? Or do you have another sort of exam? I know it's not based on a credit system as normal public high schools are. How does graduation from homeschool studies work?

Answer 1

Depends on where you live and your preferences.

To graduate with a diploma where I live, you do have to follow the school credit system.

I have met people online in the US who learned what schools did in terms of credits and requirements and set up something similar for their kids, requiring them to learn at least as much as what they would have been learning in school. It was all very laid out with transcripts showing credits, etc.

Many people simply stop schooling or enter college. There isn't a formal graduation, or their parents simply give them a diploma after they've finished a course of study decided upon.

Answer 2

I agree with Shelley G.  If you're wondering how a HS'ed student gets into college with a parent-issued diploma, it's not hard.  A diploma doesn't mean much.  I didn't need it for college admissions (you apply before you even graduate anyway), haven't needed it for any job, and no one cares.  Even when I moved to a new state and they wanted proof of age (I didn't realize I didn't have a certified copy of my birth certificate), they didn't ask for my diploma.  They asked for my high school transcript.  For some reason they wouldn't accept a much-more-professional-and valued college transcript.

Anyway, to gain college entrance, the family makes a transcript as Shelley said.  The student should also make a portfolio of their work, including a bibliography of what they've read, and should take the ACT and/or SAT tests.  Armed with those, and possibly doing a personal interview, a HS'er can get into college - especially most state schools.

You do not need to take the GED test to get a high school diploma when HS'ing.  That just shows the bare minimum and most HS'ers do way more than that.  As others have said, it usually *is* based on a credit system.  Even if a student has "mix and matched" (self-study, online, co-op) courses, they can assign credit to each one.  They can also calculate a GPA that way.

Many HS'ers also attend community college in high school to earn dual credit - credit for high school and college at the same time.  Then the full-time college admissions process is even easier, as many enter FT as sophomores or juniors.  You could easily earn an AA degree while still high school age.

As for graduation, some students have private celebrations, some have a ceremony with other HS'ed students, and some just don't care at all.  Personally, if I would have been HS'ed, it would have been a party with close family and friends.

HTH!

Answer 3

I had a curriculu, I followed. it was an actual school out of Ky based on credits grade and gpa after I finished the finals I was mailed my diploma and when I applied to colleges they would mail my transcript

Answer 4

My son is cyber schooled, and the school he goes too actually gives out diplomas and has a graduation ceremony.

oh and P.S. they do go by a credit system, same as public school.. my son needs 32 credits to graduate.

Answer 5

Every homeschooling parent can issue a diploma. All a diploma really is is a simple piece of paper saying you graduated from a educational program. The parent can (should) back that diploma up with a formal transcript, which is a written record of the classes taken by the student, and the grades received.

The student could take classes through a program that offers a diploma, such as an online high school. The disadvantage of those is that they usually only recognize their own classes, and don't count credits from all sources. Or as mentioned, most states have homeschool organizations that help certify what classes were taken, print out a formal transcript and issue a diploma. In PA and FL, some of those homeschool organizations are even recognized by the Department of Education for that state. A student could take a GED, but usually that is considered to be an inferior option to the formal diploma and written transcript of credits earned.

You said that homeschool graduation is not based on the credit system that normal public schools are, and that is grossly incorrect. The homeschool organizations that offer diplomas use the state's credit graduation requirements as their guide before issuing a diploma for that state, and use a standard basis for a credit that all schools use. Even with a parent issued diploma, if the child is going to college, it's necessary to document credits that a student on an academic track would take (years of a foreign language, 4 years English, 4 years math, etc.), and can even document graduation with honors based on advanced classes taken. Credits matter very much when one is writing up a formal transcript, and are the very basis for proving graduation from the homeschool high school, and even for grades.

Almost every state has a web site put up by a homeschool organization explaining exactly how to make a formal transcript and how to document credits for graduation, because the requirements vary from state to state.

Answer 6

I am a homeschooled student and am applying for a state diploma. In my state (PA) there are some very well known and fully accredited state diplomas, including the PA Homeschoolers Diploma, The Erie County Diploma, and the Mason Dixon diploma. Research state diploma options for your state. Another alternative is to havey our parents make you a homeade diploma. Although it is not accredited from the state, it still says that you have completed your schooling. You can make one homeade or research the internet and order one, and than have your parents fill it out. A lot of homeschoolers do this. Personally, I would rather have a state diploma, because it is recognized by colleges/universities. However, most colleges look more at your transcript, test scores, and grades than they do the diploma. The third option, as you mentioned, would be to take the GED test, but this is harder than the others mentioned. If you do, make sure that you study for it. A GED is considered to be equivelant to a diploma.

Answer 7

Actually, it is partially based on credits; your parents determine your graduation requirements, and when you complete them to their (and your) satisfaction, you graduate.

The credits come in when you format your transcript.  You are still required to show that you did the work when it comes to college admissions, so you do keep the records.  Your parents are your teachers/facilitators/resource finders, principal, and guidance counselor; you may also have outside instructors, depending on what route you choose (schooling completely at home, concurrent enrollment, mentorship, co op classes, etc.).

Your parents determine when you graduate and sign your diploma.  That's how it works!  A diploma signed by your parents is every bit as legit as one signed by a brick and mortar school.

Hope that helps!

Answer 8

idk i really wanna know ill find out an get back at u

Answer 9

You can take the GED.  You can also go to the community college when you turn 16 and transfer to a 4 year school as a Sophomore, you can even go to a university a year or two early.

Answer 10

yes we take a test, and then all the homeschoolers in that community get together and hold a graduation.

Answer 11

Check with your local authorities, it's different in every state.  In some cases, you submit your curriculum and the state issues you a diploma.

You don't need either a GED or a HS diploma to get into many universities.

Answer 12

there are many way you can go for your GED or there are groups that have graduation ceremonies were you can get a deploma and take your walk (so to speak).