Should I become homeschooled and take AP classes, but not receive a diploma?

Question

I have the chance to do a virtual school online, and take all honors/AP classes. My school won't let me at my school for some reason.

So, I think that it would be better to become homeschooled and do this... But will they look down b/c I don't have a diploma, and only have a GED?

Answer 1

You do receive a diploma when you're homeschooled; it's every bit as legitimate as one you would receive from a public or private school.  Actually, in many states homeschools are legally considered to be private schools.

Your school may not have the resources or funding for AP classes, so this may be a good opportunity for you.  Colleges actually recruit homeschoolers, so no - they won't look down on you at all for it.  (And you do not need to get a GED - your homeschool diploma and transcript are all you need.)

Answer 2

go to google.com and search the "american school of correspondence"

recieve your high school DIPLOMA and its nly 50 bucks a month no interest - 16 credits to graduate

Answer 3

You can get by with a GED, especially if you go on to college and do well there.  The more schooling you get, the less people care what you did in high school!  After you get a degree, I wouldn't put anything at all about your high school education at all on your resume.

Answer 4

I think you're confused.  Is your "chance" with a virtual *public* school, such as a K12 virtual school or a Connections Academy?  If so, they are PUBLIC schools (paid for by the gov't like a B&M public school), so they'll issue you a diploma and transcript.

If your ability is AP/Honors, you should push for your school to give you what you need.  If they don't have courses to fit your need - they should be required (depends on the state) to give you alternative curriculum - whether that means online perscriptive courses, courses at a community college, whatever.  If it's a matter of you not having the ability, since you said "won't let me", then there's nothing you can do if you don't meet the requirements.

If you're talking about a true/pure homeschooling situation, where you take *private* online courses (you or your parents pay tuition for them), then your parents will issue you a diploma.  If you take all your classes through one online school, and you meet their graduation requirements, they should issue you a diploma.

You do NOT want to get a GED.  It's not required for you to attend college.  You'll get a diploma in one of the ways I described.  Along with your diploma (public/private/HS'ed), you'll need a transcript (you'll get them from private online courses), a portfolio, and SAT/ACT testing.  The diploma matters *very* little in that mix.  For scholarships you'll want a good GPA and lots of community activities.

Another alternative, if you're an advanced learner, is to attend community college for dual credit (high school and college).  Many homeschooled students skip "high school" all together.  Basic CC courses are equal to, if not better than, public school classes.  They are much cheaper than online private schools also.

Answer 5

homeschooling usually has requirements that need to be fulfilled by your parents... You should check you states requirements.

Answer 6

Homeschoolers do get diplomas if they want them.  Their parents often present them.  VERY FEW colleges require homeschoolers to have a GED, rather they look at your homeschool transcript (signed by your parents), your SAT or ACT scores, any AP exam scores, your extra curricular activities, and sometimes a portfolio of your work.

Answer 7

Online charter schools do nt give GEDs ..they give diplomas and transcripts. For example, my son graduated an online charter school and now attends The University Of Dayton ( a private university) with scholarships.

Answer 8

What do you mean, as far as I know if your homeschooled you get a diploma, not a GED.

If you mean you already have your GED, it depends on the employer. A college, depending on how presigous it is usually doesn't worry about diplomas or GED's. Though I do think they prefer a diploma. But if you do well in one college you have proof of your ability to do well there too.

Answer 9

No you should not take classes from an online school if they cannot offer you a high school diploma.  If you really want to homeschool online, you should find a school that will offer you a legitmate high school diploma not just a g.e.d.  You can do a google search to find one in your state.

Answer 10

First of all, listen to the people who are homeschooled that answer...they have researched this the most and know best...definitely look into your state's legal requirements..visit some homeschool forums...

Second, I do know most colleges have a special application process for homeschoolers.  Many colleges prefer homeschoolers because they are already familiar with "self-learning" as opposed to in high-school where everything is forced...so they're well prepared for college...

I'd say if you have the chance to take AP and Honors classes and your high school won't let you..then go for it..

Is it possible for the school to fund your AP/Honors online classes?  My daughter wanted to take French and it wasn't offered at the school and they're letting her take it online, they're paying for it and she gets high school credit for it.  Sometimes you need to go beyond your guidance counselor (I usually find their knowledge is limited)...and find out the "whys"  ..

Anyhow, I'd say go for the honors/AP classes..it'll be better for you in the long run when applying for college...

Answer 11

When you're homeschooled, you DO NOT have to get a GED. Your parents can issue your dipoma when you finish your course of study, but even still it doesn't matter. A diploma is nothing more than a certificate of achievement for YOU only. It's no different than your kindergarten diploma or a certificate you might earn for finishing out a soccer season. In reality, colleges and universities DO NOT look at your diploma when they consider you. You never send it to them or show it to anyone. When you're homeschooled, all colleges want to see is your transcript (courses you've taken anad grades. In your situation, you'll have an advantage here.) your SAT/ACT scores (its still a VERY good idea, and sometimes necessary to take one or both of these), and your extracurricular activity anad community involvement (clubs, sports, organizations, volunteering... Homeschoolers still do all of this you know. Just in the real world instead of at a school.) Of course there are aalso the usual application requirements like essays or an interview, and some more selective universities may like to see a little extra from homeschoolers such as a few SAT II subject tests or a few samples of work you've done. But they WILL NOT want to see a diploma.

This does not mean that homeschoolers have any less of a chance of getting into college than public schoolers. There are more and more homeschoolers getting accepted to top universities like Harvard or Yale every year, many even starting early. And THEY typically do not have diplomas.

Good luck!`