Homeschool Diploma Requirements for High School Graduation

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 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

How Can You Get a Diploma If You’re Homeschooled?

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.

 

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?

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.

 

But… how to obtain a homeschool 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.

 

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.

 

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 and graduation requirements where they live.

 

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…

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.

Don’t forget to get a homeschool diploma,  cap and gown for the full graduation experience!

 

 

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!

 

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!

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.”

We hope this helps answer your questions on homeschool diploma requirements and is a homeschool diploma valid!