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Search Results for: diploma

Ask Jeanne: Do Homeschoolers Get a Diploma?

by Jeanne Faulconer
Ask Jeanne: Do Homeschoolers Get a Diploma?

...maybe you - have concerns about whether having a homeschool diploma and not having a diploma from an accredited school could close doors. No one wants to make a decision that will reduce kids' opportunities. The short answer to your first direct question is: Yes, homeschoolers get a diploma - one issued by their parents. The short answer to your implied question is: No, in most cases, homeschoolers do not get a diploma from an accredited institution. The short answer to another implied question is: No, it mostly doesn't affect homeschoolers negatively not to get a diploma from an accredited... Continue reading »

Ask Jeanne: Can a 20-Year-Old Earn a Homeschool Diploma?

by Jeanne Faulconer
Can a 20 year old earn a homeschool diploma?

...a person can independently homeschool his way to a diploma at age 20, without a "program" or private school. The GED is often presented as the only alternative to earning a high school diploma by age 18 or 19, but that's not the case. Disruption of educational norms. Of course, this notion shakes up educational possibilities. If you can homeschool at 20 and get a diploma, what about at 21? At 25? At 57? Maybe you can homeschool yourself as an adult and grant yourself a diploma? This both makes no sense and perfect sense, depending on what you think... Continue reading »

Homeschooling High School

by THSM Contributor

...school diploma, b) issuing your own diploma and spelling out in your transcript what criteria your student met, c) working with your local high school to see if they will grant a public school diploma to your child, and finding out what your student will have to do to earn it, d) not earning a high school diploma. More about diplomas: While many/most colleges and universities do require a high school diploma for admission, where a student receives his or her high school diploma can vary greatly. There are many organizations, private schools, and distance schools which, for a fee... Continue reading »

Homeschool Accreditation

by THSM Contributor

...provide a diploma, and so unaccredited homeschool families can do the same. Providing your child with a diploma is a meaningful rite of passage. A quick visit to HomeschoolDiploma.com can provide that symbol of success. Yet education is not about the piece of paper. The paper doesn’t matter—the education matters. Although it could be difficult for an unaccredited homeschooler to enter an accredited high school, it is significantly easier for the same homeschooler to get into a high-quality college. Universities have a very sophisticated method in determining the suitability of prospective students. Whether their diploma is accredited or un-accredited, whether... Continue reading »

What Is Accreditation? Should My Homeschool Be Accredited?

by Karen Skelton
Accreditation & Homeschooling - Woman wondering, "Does my homeschool need to be accredited?"

...Shockingly, there are over 50 accrediting agencies of dubious nature in the US alone, designed primarily to support so-called “diploma mills.” How Does Accreditation Relate to Homeschooling? In a nutshell: Homeschool accreditation is not required. No state requires that a homeschool program, curriculum, or diploma be accredited (in fact, homeschool curriculum can't be accredited!). Most institutions of higher learning do not require this either, although there may be exceptions by individual institutions or programs; and of course schools may change their requirements at any time. Many families come to homeschooling from the public school system. As a result, they are... Continue reading »

Homeschool Transcripts Explained—Spoiler Alert... They're Easy & Free!

by Mary Ann Kelley
Screenshot of homeschool transcripts with text: Homeschool Transcripts Explained : includes free transcript templates

...about 12 years old, and I didn't really do anything after that until I turned 16. I applied to a local community college at that time and became a full time student there. Some time afterwards, I called my state dep. for a HS diploma because I realized I didn't have one. After verbally confirming what I did they issued a diploma, but it was dated 2 years /after/ I started full-time college. How do I write out a transcript that reflects when I actually finished my coursework, but also accounts for when the diploma was issued? The credits I... Continue reading »

How to Homeschool High School

by Mary Ann Kelley
report card with text overlay Homeschooling High School

...too. We desperately need some expert advice! ~ Concerned in Colorado Ask Jeanne: Can a 20-Year-Old Earn a Homeschool Diploma? As a parent of a high school homeschooler, I was approached by a neighbor who asked if I knew what the age limit was to begin homeschool. Her 20-year-old son never finished school, sadly. It seemed almost impossible for him to get his GED, having been enrolled on and off since he was 16. Knowing the need for a diploma, she’s considering homeschool, believing with one-on-one teaching, he will obtain his diploma, and his future will much brighter. Unable to... Continue reading »

When Your Child Goes from Homeschooling to Public School

by Jeanne Faulconer
Students in a classroom with hands raised and text: TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: When your child goes from homeschooling to public school

...done at home. The child is no longer getting a homeschool diploma (though by the way, homeschool diplomas work just fine) -- but will be getting a public school diploma, which indicates completion of public high school requirements. Your child might be "ahead" or "behind." Your homeschool has been marching to a different drummer. Your child's skill level or knowledge might be out of sync with expectations for kids the same age at public school. It's important to remember that this is also true for students who attend public school who have never been homeschooled. There are kids who are... Continue reading »

Homeschooling: A Guide for Parents

by Mary Ann Kelley
Homeschooling 101 - TheHomeSchoolMom.com

...tutors and mentors. If you're looking for someone to provide part or all of your children's home education, read Can Somebody Homeschool My Kids? What about High School? How Do You Get a Homeschool Diploma? The short answer is that you print one. The longer answer is that high school diplomas are simply certificates for a wall, while transcripts are the official documentation of high school grades and courses. Homeschool transcripts are an accepted form of documentation showing that the student graduated, and anyone wanting proof of graduation will ask the graduate for a copy of their transcripts. For more... Continue reading »

The Keystone School

by Mary Ann Kelley

...preparing him enough for college. Denise Neilson We have used Keystone for a variety of reasons and situations with our three sons. Two have graduated from high school - one with a brick and mortar diploma and one with a Keystone diploma. The third started taking classes to supplement brick and mortar and will end up with Keystone conferring the diploma in (hopefully) about a month. I've enjoyed the flexibility of transcript options between two schools and being able to switch back and forth as needed. I am an elementary school principal and was looking for high quality, standards based... Continue reading »

High School & Beyond

by Mary Ann Kelley

...in a variety of ways. I've got nine ways you can cultivate hands-on learning for your older homeschooled kids. Grab your pen and planner, and let's chat! Bad News/Good News of Starting Homeschooling in High School Starting homeschooling during the high school years can seem intimidating or liberating -- or both. There is both good news and bad news about starting out homeschooling in high school, but for many people the good outweighs the bad. Ask Jeanne: Do Homeschoolers Get a Diploma? "Do homeschoolers get a diploma? Half of my family is pro-homeschooling and half is anti-homeschooling. How do I... Continue reading »

5 Homeschool Graduation Ceremony Ideas

by Jeanne Faulconer
TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: 5 Homeschool Graduation Ceremony Ideas

...or parents and mentors may make remarks congratulating the graduate. The level of formality will reflect what the family wants, and the graduate and parents are free to choose whether there will be any trappings of traditional graduations such as a diploma or cap and gown. 2 - The Friends Graduation In this case, two or three families whose kids are close friends go together to have a graduation party or dinner. This can work well, because if they have been homeschooling together, the graduates may have friendships from the same homeschool co-ops, youth groups, or arts or sports organizations.... Continue reading »

Bad News/Good News of Starting Homeschooling in High School

by Jeanne Faulconer
TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: The Good News/Bad News about Starting Homeschooling in High School

...and is it difficult? Jeanne Faulconer Hi Nicole, here is a link to our Getting Started information. You will need to look at your state laws and see how they impact you. In many states, you would not get a school diploma but a homeschool diploma from your parents. While a homeschool diploma is effective for college admission and jobs, there are a few states whose colleges are more strict to be in line with their state law, so you want to be sure you understand that in case you want to go to college. Homeschooling varies a lot, with... Continue reading »

Ask Jeanne: Answers to Your Homeschool Questions

by Mary Ann Kelley
Ask Jeanne homeschool questions & answers

...in which there might (or might not) be money for homeschooling. Ask Jeanne: Do Homeschoolers Get a Diploma? "Do homeschoolers get a diploma? Half of my family is pro-homeschooling and half is anti-homeschooling. How do I convince my family that homeschooling would be a better and more positive solution than public school?" You have a couple of overt questions and a couple of implied ones. Let's see what we can tease apart here, because these are common concerns for prospective homeschoolers. Ask Jeanne: Homeschooling When Everything Is Terrible Dear Jeanne - I am stuck in a terrible situation and need... Continue reading »

Is Your Curriculum Accredited? Does It Matter?

by TheHomeSchoolMom
school supplies and equipment with text is this curriculum accredited? Does it matter? - TheHomeSchoolmom

...could matter? Mary Ann Kelley "[F]rom whom they will accept credit during a student's high school years" is the key part of that quote. If a student is returning to public school without any high school credits to transfer in, how and where work was done is usually irrelevant. It gets more complicated for students who have earned high school credits while homeschooling (because the diploma-issuing institution wants to control the quality of the credits used to earn the diploma). Homeschooling is regulated at the state level so each state (and possibly each school district) has different rules about transferring... Continue reading »

American School

by Mary Ann Kelley

American School is a long-standing, accredited distance learning school that awards high school diplomas. There are 70 different subjects that can be pursued on two academic tracts, a General High School curriculum and a College Preparatory curriculum. Homeschoolers may receive credit for courses by passing comprehensive examinations. Completion of 4.5 classes with American School are required to receive a diploma.... Continue reading »

Homeschool to College

by Mary Ann Kelley
TheHomeSchoolMom: Homeschool to College

...than we encourage of all candidates." College admissions departments will not ask to see the student's diploma, which is basically a pretty certificate meant for hanging on a wall. Instead, they will want to see an official high school transcript, which can be created at home (or through an umbrella school if they provide that service). We offer a free homeschool transcript template that will automatically calculate grade point averages based on the grades entered. The transcript page includes extensive information about transcripts that will help you as you plan your student's high school courses. In addition to making sure... Continue reading »

Homeschooling a High Schooler Who Is Not College-Bound

by Karen Doll
Homeschooling a Student Who Isn't College-Bound

Robina Karen, Thank you for sharing this article. A few years ago I asked a group of homeschool moms (in our co-op) if they would be disappointed if their children did NOT attend college. They unanimously replied, "Yes!" It was saddening to think that so many parents (and their children) are locked/brainwashed into the traditional mindset that your child should/MUST cross a stage to receive a diploma in one hand with a packed suitcase in the other...headed for college. Many are entrapped into thinking that college is the end-all/be-all; college is the only way that a person could 'amount to... Continue reading »

Ask Jeanne: Help! Should I Homeschool?

by Jeanne Faulconer
Ask Jeanne: Help! Should I Homeschool?

...in school is not difficult before the high school years, but in many states, should your daughter try homeschooling and then want to return to school, she may not receive credit toward a state-issued diploma for work done at home. Using an online public school might be helpful if she is likely to want to go back to school. Please read my article on returning your child to public school and talk to homeschoolers and school administrators about the re-enrollment rules in your state and at your kids' specific schools. Charter and private Christian schools may have unique rules that... Continue reading »

Naming Your Homeschool

by Jeanne Faulconer
Naming Your Homeschool

...a name to put on diploma and transcripts Creates a sense of belonging - tee shirts for each child with your school name! May reflect your personality or values Feels official (and may or may not be actually official - depending on where you live) Kids and young adults can list their school name on job applications, college and scholarship apps, etc. That said, there are many people whose kids have homeschool transcripts with no school name and who write "homeschooled" on applications. Typically, there are not problems with this. Disadvantages to Naming Your Homeschool May intentionally or unintentionally make... Continue reading »

Homeschooled Politicians Who Shaped America

by Time4Learning
Famous Homeschooled Politicians

...served as the second President of the United States and the first Vice President. He was a lawyer, diplomat, statesman, political theorist, and a forerunner of the movement for American independence from Great Britain. John Quincy Adams: Adams served in the Massachusetts State Senate and the U.S. Senate. He also served as secretary of state under James Monroe. He won a controversial election and served one term as the sixth president of the U.S. Grover Cleveland: Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, the only President in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office... Continue reading »

Beware this Pitfall of Crowdsourcing Education Information

by Jeanne Faulconer
Beware this Pitfall of Crowdsourcing Education Information

...what “must be true” or “should be true” about homeschooling. Long-time homeschooling parents have learned from experience that school administrators often do not know their state’s home education laws, the policies colleges have for homeschoolers, how homeschooled children learn at home, homeschool curricula, or how homeschoolers get a diploma. And why should public school administrators know about homeschooling? They are experts on the ways schools work and how students and teachers must meet the requirements of school. Their opinions and assumptions about education will be based on their understanding of school. Worse, sometimes some school administrators may believe they know... Continue reading »

Homeschooling FAQ

by Mary Ann Kelley
Homeschooling - answers to frequently asked questions

...such. If the online school is not state-funded, then the question becomes whether the student is enrolled full-time at a private institution offering an online program or is a homeschooled student taking some classes online. The entity issuing the diploma/transcripts is the determining factor in whether the student applies as a homeschooler. Taking a combination of homeschool classes and classes from an online institution usually means the diploma is issued by the parent, in which case they would be a homeschool graduate. If the courses are from an accredited institution, you could request that the SAT subject test requirements be... Continue reading »

Step 1: Know the Legal Requirements for Homeschooling

by Mary Ann Kelley

...for a diploma, she’s considering homeschool, believing with one-on-one teaching, he will obtain his diploma, and his future will much brighter. Unable to find information on the North Carolina Homeschool help website about age restrictions, I’m hoping you can help us. Ask Jeanne: Homeschooling and Immunization Law I have a 4-year-old little girl. We have always wanted to homeschool her. The main reason for this decision is we don't agree with vaccinations. My fiancé is older than I am. He grew up in the '70s, so in his mind, this was going to be easy. Well, times have changed. I... Continue reading »

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