Homeschool diploma requirements can seem overwhelming when looking ahead to a graduating homeschool student and wondering how can a homeschooler get a diploma and transcripts. We’ll cover how do homeschool students graduate, homeschool diploma vs high school diploma, homeschool diploma vs GED, and what happens next when your homeschool student completes their high school classes!
UNDERSTANDING HOMESCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
You may be wondering how can you get a diploma if you’re homeschooled? Once you start homeschool 16 year old s or homeschooling high school, parents get nervous. Let’s talk about how does homeschooling work for homeschool graduates and how do you create a homeschooling diploma to help you out.
Do you get a diploma for homeschooling?
Yes, homeschoolers get a diploma just like other high school graduates upon completion of their high school studies. Parents are responsible for maintaining education records and creating or following graduation requirements in order to issue a home school diploma.
The home school graduate meaning is the same meaning for any high school graduate! It means that home schooling graduates have completed the required hours and classes for graduating in their state.
IMPORTANT: Search how to get a diploma homeschooling [your state] to follow your state homeschooling laws!
But, before we go any further in covering how to get a homeschool diploma and what are the home school diploma requirements, let’s start with how do homeschooled students graduate from homeschools?
How do homeschoolers graduate?
Homeschoolers graduate the same as other school graduates: they take the required high school courses and meet the homeschool high school requirements set forth by their state laws (if there are any). The parents, as the educational institute, then issue a print homeschool diploma for the student. Check your state’s homeschool laws to ensure that you are meeting all graduation requirements.
The requirements for home schooling in Texas will be different from home school programs New Jersey will be different, and all those may vary from Missouri home school laws (or any other homeschooling state).
It’s very important that you fully understand the homeschooling laws for your area and how to graduate from homeschool for your state and make sure you’re meeting requirements for how to get a high school diploma for homeschoolers.
But… how to obtain a homeschool highschool diploma (aka: can homeschoolers get a diploma)?
How does a homeschooled student get a diploma?
Homeschooled students are issued a homeschooling diploma the same way traditional students are issued a diploma: by their educational institute. In the case of homeschooling, the educational institute is made up of the parents who are homeschooling the child. The homeschooling parent(s) obtain or print and sign an official diploma template that includes all of the same information as found on a diploma from a traditional or public school. The diploma then serves as the student’s official completion documentation and may be submitted to employers, businesses, colleges, or any other time the graduate needs to present a high school diploma.
So, how do homeschool students get a diploma? It works the same as a traditional homeschooling high school diploma for homeschool graduation requirements! Issuing a homeschool diploma is done by the parents (with the parents signing as the educators).
NOTE: If your homeschooler is attending an online school, umbrella school, or correspondence program (that is not through the public school system), you need to verify with that institution if they grant diplomas and is online high school diploma valid. Just because they’re attending an online class (or classes), don’t assume they will be issuing an online homeschool diploma! You may be required to order homeschool diploma.
Is a homeschool diploma the same as a high school diploma?
Yes, a high school homeschool diploma is the same as a high school diploma from a traditional school. The diploma is issued from the homeschool educational institute, which is the parent and the home school. The parent provides a print homeschool diploma, the same way a high school would.
A high school diploma for homeschoolers is as valid as a diploma from a traditional school.
DON’T MISS THE ULTIMATE HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION GUIDE!
Are homeschool diplomas valid?
Yes, homeschool diplomas are valid, the same way a regular high school diploma is valid. In the United States, homeschool diplomas carry the same weight as a public school or private school diploma. Instead of the diploma being issued by a public or private school, the parents of the homeschooled student issue the diploma after the student meets the homeschool state laws, homeschool credits to graduate, and home school graduation requirements where they live.
IMPORTANT: If your graduate is getting questions at a job or college questioning is a homeschool diploma valid, I recommend contacting your local homeschool association or the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association).
Homeschool Diploma Requirements: What should be included on a homeschool high school diploma?
First, you should print (or purchase) a professional looking diploma (and not one of those ones with balloons or splashes of colors as a border!).
(Don’t worry, you can find an official homeschool high school diploma template to guide you and official looking diploma paper!)
Remember, this is the diploma that the homeschooler will use as copies for jobs, college, and other purposes. So, you don’t want it to look like you just created some piece of paper off some fun template you found on Pinterest.
(Know what I mean?)
Now let’s cover homeschool high school diploma requirements and homeschool names for diploma…
Homeschool Diploma Requirements
A homeschool diploma should include:
- The phrase “High School Diploma”
- Full legal name of the student
- Name of your homeschool (“institution”)
- Standard phrasing that the student completed the required studies for secondary education and have been granted a high school diploma
- Name and signature of person issuing the diploma (parent)
- Date the diploma is issued
- City and state where the diploma is issued
As always, check your homeschool state laws and requirements for high school graduation and diploma requirements when creating a diploma at home.
HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION TIP: Don’t forget to get a homeschool diploma and cap and gown for the full graduation experience! (It’s about more than just the diploma for homeschool students!) Ask your homeschool graduate what they would like and help them celebrate!
MORE HELPFUL HOMESCHOOL TIPS (after can a homeschool student get a diploma, read these next):
Do homeschoolers have a graduation ceremony?
Homeschool Transcript Templates
HOMESCHOOL TIP: Check out the homeschool diploma template on Canva.com to ensure you include all the homeschool diploma requirements. It’s a great free homeschool diploma printable or use it as homeschool diploma examples and guides for homeschool diploma templates! You can also search online for free editable homeschool diploma template or homeschool printing companies that make professional diplomas / diplomas for sale (may be called homeschool graduation certificates).
Now that we’ve covered can you get a diploma from homeschooling, let’s take a closer look at some other related diploma homeschool questions that will help answer if you homeschool how do you graduate.
Can homeschoolers take the GED?
Homeschoolers can take the GED at any point that you want them to take the GED. Some homeschool parents have homeschooled teens take the GED for peace of mind, but it is not required. So, if you’re wondering do homeschoolers need a GED for home high school, the answer is no.
Do homeschooled students have to take the GED?
GED stands for General Educational Development or General Education Diploma (and is sometimes called the High School Equivalency Certificate). It is a test that people take to prove they are proficient in high school level academics. Unlike previous generations, homeschoolers today don’t necessarily need to take a GED.
Do homeschoolers get a diploma or GED?
Homeschoolers can get a personalized homeschool diploma or a GED. Homeschool diplomas are different from GEDs and are now widely accepted by both employers and many colleges and universities. However, some parents still have their homeschoolers take a GED as an additional proof of proficiency. You can search the internet for approved GED testing centers near you.
Understanding Homeschool GED vs Homeschool Diploma: Getting a homeschool GED or diploma is a personal preference. Be sure to completely understand the pros and cons of both a diploma for homeschoolers (and why are high school diplomas important) and a GED for homeschoolers before making a decision about a homeschool graduation diploma.
Do employers accept homeschool diplomas?
Can you get a job with a homeschool diploma? YES! Homeschool diplomas are valid just like public school or private school diplomas and should be accepted during a job search. However, there are some employers who may be confused about homeschool diploma requirements. If there are issues, there are organizations like the HSLDA that can help homeschool families and organizations understand homeschool laws.
Now that you know how can a homeschooler get a high school diploma, you may also be wondering these other homeschool graduation FAQs.
Can you join the military with a homeschool diploma?
Yes, since a homeschool diploma is equal to a public school or private school high school graduation diploma, a homeschooling diploma should be valid to enlist in the military. Some homeschoolers choose to get a GED homeschool for military.
Again, if you have any high school diploma homeschool issues with military, contact HSLDA about your high school diplomas for homeschoolers issues.
How do I get my homeschool transcript?
Just like a home school diploma, a homeschool transcript will be issued by the parents of the homeschooled student. It is the parents job to track the homeschooler’s courses and studies completed in order to provide a completed transcript once the homeschool student has graduated. This is how to graduate homeschool!
Can homeschoolers graduate early?
Homeschooled students can graduate early homeschool if they have met all the academic requirements of their homeschooling state. Check your state’s homeschool laws to make sure you’re compliant and your homeschool student won’t be counted as truant.
What tests do homeschoolers take to graduate?
There is no required national test for homeschoolers to take to graduation from home school. However, your homeschooled student may be required to take standardized tests according to state laws and report those scores (throughout high school). Be sure to check your state laws on home schooling.
Can homeschoolers go to college?
YES! Many colleges and universities (even Ivy League schools!) are excited to accept homeschooled students who meet the same college admission requirements as other students. In addition to the high school diploma, you will also need to document a transcript of what your homeschooled student studied and completed during their high schooling years.
As always, check your state (or country) laws on the documentation requirements for high school. Also, if your child is planning on going away to college college (or staying home and attending college), you will need to check what is required by the college or university for applications.
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Often, when people ask do homeschooled students get a diploma, they also want to know statistics about homeschool scores.
Do homeschooled students score higher?
Homeschooled students and homeschool high school graduates often score higher on standardized admission or entrance exams. According to ACT.org, “Mean ACT Composite scores for homeschooled students were consistently higher than those for public school students.”
AFTER HOW DO HOMESCHOOLERS GET A DIPLOMA, READ THIS HOMESCHOOL INFORMATION NEXT: Do you get paid for homeschooling?
Let us know if you have any other questions about how to get a high school diploma if homeschooled.
Thank you for the valuable information!
What requirements would I follow if I live out of the country, but want to give them a U.S. education?
Hi Elizabeth,
The first thing you will want to do is check with your country/area laws. Homeschooling is outlawed in some other countries outside of the United States.
If you are a U.S. citizen, but living in another country temporarily (like a military family), there may be special exceptions and you may be able to homeschool under US laws.
As the VERY FIRST STEP, check your country and local laws about homeschooling.
When we lived in Pennsylvania, I discovered that the PA Department of Education website has a special diploma with the PA seal just for homeschoolers. You can print it out and have your evaluator sign it along with the parent(s). I don’t know if any other states do that or not.