Giving a diploma can be a very good idea. Not necessary, but a very good idea. There are times in life when kids are asked, “Are you a high school graduate?” And, “Do you have a high school diploma?” Although you can assure them they ARE a high school graduate, giving them a paper transcript can emphasize the point, so there is not doubt. And although you can assure them they are a high school graduate, having a diploma can remind them to always say YES if asked if they have one.
I am wondering about diplomas. Are they necessary? Any tips for creating one? Perhaps you cover them i your book but i haven’t gotten there yet.
~ Harriet in Minnesota
I recommend giving a student a diploma. I love recommending HomeschoolDiploma.com. That is where I got my own diplomas for my own children. I have also worked with them on behalf of a large homeschool graduation, and the copy was great! They can provide a beautiful diploma. I take mine with me when I speak, and homeschool parents are impressed with how nice it looks. They have lots of sizes and prices and options. They have suggested wording, so you can get some hand-holding as you create the one that is just right for you. Here is a link.
Your homeschool diploma is a real diploma. Some public and private schools are not accredited, but they provide real diplomas to their students. Our diploma is real (not accredited) as well! Here, for example, is the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education policy on diplomas from their unaccredited public schools:
Students who graduate from an unaccredited school district still receive diplomas. As far as state education officials are concerned, the diploma of a student who graduates from an unaccredited school district is valid.
Diplomas are a good idea, and HomeschoolDiploma.com is my best tip!
When homeschool kids are younger, and someone asked about grade level, it’s not uncommon for a parent to say, “Well! She is in third grade reading, 5th grade math, and can spell at a 7th grade level!” Rarely did you hear a parent come right out and say, “He is 7 years old, therefore he is in 2nd grade!” But sometimes in high school the pressure to assign grade levels can be intense.
Lee,
I have 2 high school-aged children. Many of my homeschool friends think that it is desirable to have their kids on a fast track to graduation. I don’t feel an urgency to get them out the door – I want to make the most of these “high school” years. Is there something wrong with keeping my son, who will be 16 in December, a freshman? He is currently doing Apologia Biology, TT Algebra I, World Views of the Western World II, etc.) If he is considered a freshman this year, that would have him graduating at age 19 with 4 years of high school… Is this wrong?
Until my children entered “high school” I didn’t feel the need to slap a grade level on them. They were ahead in some areas and behind in others. And I didn’t really care what other people thought of that – we just plugged away. But as soon as they hit high school age grade level seemed to be the all-important thing and everything hinges on which grade level they are. I hate it. I have specific requirements that they need to complete before they “graduate” and I don’t like the pressure we’re feeling to get them on a fast-track to graduation…. I would love to hear your thought on this, Lee. Thank you!
~ Michelle in Iowa
Dear Michelle,
I agree with you that grade levels can be pretty arbitrary. I think as homeschoolers we need to focus on what we are doing for our own children, because we know what our own children need. We don’t know what other children need! So focus on providing a curriculum that is challenging and not overwhelming. Be sure to keep it academically rigorous, and encourage them to do their best, but guard against burn out and overwork that can lead to frustration. Instead of giving a label of freshman at this point, I encourage you to take a step back again.
Question: When do you really need to label a high school student with a grade level?
Answer: Junior year.
Junior year is the only time you really have to say, “THIS is their grade level.” In junior year, when you indicate 11th grade on the PSAT, they can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. In junior year, there are tasks that need to be completed – things that are unique to that year. You can delay making a label until junior year without consequences.
I know many homeschoolers who intentionally delay graduation. They may provide high school curriculum from the age of 14, but they continue to provide high school curriculum until the age of 19 or 20. They do that to provide additional maturity before their children move away from home. Parents are completely capable of making these choices!
There is one word of warning I can provide with my 20/20 hindsight and advanced age. Kids mature a LOT in the four years of high school. Imagine the difference between a 1 year old child and a 5 year old child. Think about the physical differences; toddling vs. biking, for example. Think about the intellectual differences; saying a few words vs. asking endless questions.
There is almost that much of a difference between the first year of high school and the last year of high school. At first it seems like your child could never possibly be ready for college at 18. And then one day it happens! You look at them – and they look ready!
Leave yourself some flexibility. When they look ready to move on – graduate them. When they are almost ready, make them a junior.
If your child is ready before others their age – or after others their age – it doesn’t really matter. Our job is to provide for our child.
When you are applying for colleges, you will need a great homeschool transcript. The good news is you can “do-it-yourself” and save thousands. Discover the“The HomeScholar Total Transcript Solution.”
It can happen. You lose track of time and the next thing you know your student is a senior. Without a clue what to do next, parents feel like they are behind, but don’t really know the steps to take. If you have a senior and you don’t really know what to do next, let me provide some direction.
Read what classes colleges want to see, and determine if there are any holes that need to be filled. Here is the article about planning high school courses that I hope will help: Recommended Courses to Take in High School
Don’t worry about the past, just try to fill holes.
Consider the whole idea of college preparation for a moment, to determine if there is anything else that might be missing. And this article is a checklist for graduation: 9 Easy Steps: High School Graduation Checklist
Remember, you aren’t trying to worry about the past, your focus is just to identify potential weak or lacking areas.
After assessing your situation, focus on just two things: taking the SAT and going to a college fair.
First: register for the next available SAT. Here is more information:
Make sure you put it on your calendar, and then be sure to take your child to the test. If possible, take a sample test in advance, so your child isn’t surprised by anything.
Second: go to a college fair. Here is more information:
Going to a college fair can help your child decide if college is appealing, and if colleges may have scholarships for your child.
After assessing and taking immediate action on the SAT and college fairs, then create a transcript. For help with transcripts, here is my solution: The HomeScholar Total Transcript Solution!
For $37 you get an audio course about how to make it, a book to read the details, the templates to type onto, and help from me with a 20 minute conversation each week for a month. Pretty much a straight line from where you are to completion. Whew!!
You can call me during my free office hours, 1:00-2:00pm Pacific Time on Wednesday. You can find my phone number and a time zone chart here, so you know when to call:
I know that you are feeling a little bit “behind.” If you quickly take the SAT and go to a college fair, you will be right back on track!
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Homeschool law may NOT the same as the law covering public schools or private schools. In Washington State, for example, public school law is covered in one area, and homeschool law is covered in an entirely different area. It can be confusing! When researching the laws in your state, make sure you are looking at the law that applies to homeschoolers. I frequently see homeschoolers trying to fit their homeschool into a public school law, and it just doesn’t feel right. It’s like the old square peg and round hole! Here is an example from Kelly, asking about Washington Homeschool law.
Hello Lee!
I’ve sat in on one of your sessions for High School Transcripts. It was very helpful! I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what the requirements were for High School Graduation…..but now I’m a bit confused. I went to the Office Superintendent of Public Instruction website to double check on the requirements…i.e….how many credits necessary in each subject, etc. Is there something new?
~Kelly in Washington
Hi Kelly,
I’m SO glad you wrote! Here is the key: there is a difference between public high school graduation requirements and the requirements for homeschoolers. You are quoting the requirements to graduate from a public high school. As the homeschool parent in Washington, however, YOU get to choose what YOUR graduation requirements are. Homeschool parents can make their own transcript, and award their own homeschool diploma, all within state law.
When you plan for college admission, you are exceeding the academic requirements for graduation from public schools. College admission requires more than high school graduation. If you are following a college prep plan then you are doing more than enough. You can read about college prep academics in this article:
Washington State law requires the 11 subject that are taught within the 12 years of homeschooling. The things that moms often find most surprising: Washington State History is NOT on the list, but Occupational Education IS on the list. It’s an easy class to teach; wait until your child gets a job, count hours on the job, and award credit based on those hours. It’s the easiest class you’ll ever teach
Other things that are required by state law: qualify to homeschool (one parent has one year of college or more, or take a short class) declaration of intent, annual assessment (PSAT, SAT, and ACT count as the annual assessment). You are required to keep records, but they don’t say WHAT records to keep. You are required to keep immunization records with your homeschool records, but you aren’t required to immunize your children LOL!). And finally, you don’t have to turn anything into the state once you have completed the declaration of intent. After that is turned in, you are completely responsible for the education of your children.
You are doing everything right, don’t worry. You don’t have to be a public school. You are a homeschool. Different laws cover homeschools. For more information, check the Washington Homeschool Organization website.
PS. For my out-of-Washington subscribers, please make sure you check the law for your own state. Check with your local homeschool organization for help.
When my boys graduated from homeschool high school, I gave each a copy of “Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. When each guest arrived at the party, they signed the book, right within the pages. We had some nice LONG comments, like a yearbook, and it was really fun. You can get the book to people who can’t make it to the party as well, and that’s a good way for them to “be there” when they can’t actually be there.
The only really “planning ahead” thing that I did was make a set of photo albums for each boy. In years past, I’ve always gotten doubles when I had photos developed, so each boy had a shoe box full of photos. I added a few photos by making copies of the very best snapshots from when they were kids (that’s not too expensive to just copy them on photo paper.) I put them all in albums before the party, for guests to look at. It was a big hit.
One warning, though, for all you scrapbookers! When I say I “put them all in albums” that was all I did! I bought photo albums at Costco, and slid the photos in. OK, so the pictures were roughly in chronological order, but that was really all I did with them. The guests liked looking at them as babies, etc. It was fun.
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When a child graduates from homeschooling, do they get a diploma? YES! When you are homeschooling within your state law, you become an official homeschool. You can give an official homeschool diploma. When I speak to groups, I will often show my son’s diploma. It’s fun to look at – and you can even see that my boys graduated “with honors!”
When your child is grown and filling out job applications, they may be asked some questions that seem difficult. ”Do you have a high school diploma?” for example. If you homeschool, you can answer YES. If you have overseen the education of your children, and they have graduated from your homeschool, then you can say YES they are a high school graduate and YES they have a diploma.
When you are ready to purchase a diploma, I always recommend HomeschoolDiploma.com. All of my friends used it, and when I helped organized our state homeschool graduation, we used it. They have a very helpful, easy-to-navigate website that will help you decide on the right wording for the diploma. They also have everything else you need for graduation, whether you are graduating with a group, or just one student at a time. They have the cap and gown, tassle, invitations, and everything. I have used them for years, and they are great. The company is very used to the needs of homeschoolers (just look at the name!) and they are a joy to deal with.
I was so excited to see that they are recommending my ebook on making a transcript. That’s the highest praise, to be on their website, and I’m positively giddy about it!
Homeschool graduation is a very special event! We chose to have our graduation celebration at home, with family and friends. Since you’re homeschooling, though, the possibilities are endless! Check out this option, the First Annual National Homeschool Graduation. It’s held in DisneyWorld! Sounds like a great excuse to party in a warm climate!
We’re excited to announce an event unlike any other we’ve planned before and we truly hope it blesses the homeschool community as much as you all have blessed us over the last 5 years.
When we started our journey with The Ultimate Field Trip to Walt Disney World in 2005 we had a dream of spending time each year with some of the most wonderful people on earth – people just like us – homeschoool families. And our dream came true with over 2,000 attending during our annual trips. Now we are taking our team of five homeschool families, our experience, our Disney contacts and our passion for making once-in-a-lifetime memories for you to produce something never done before. A National Homeschool Graduation.
What is it? A Special Day for Your Exceptional Graduate!
Full Graduation Processional, Walk and Dance
Breakfast Baccalaureate
Option to stay in a world class Disney resort
Discounted park tickets available for our group
For More Information, visit our graduation site today. You can also subscribe for updates while you’re there! You can also visit eventbrite to see ticket pricing and purchase tickets when you’re ready.
After all the hard work of homeschooling, your family deserves a graduation unlike any other. Imagine a vacation and a graduation wrapped up in one. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
Visit our websites to learn more about us and what we do. www.TheUltimateFieldTrip.com
Are you ready to get serious about homeschooling high school? Send me anemailand let’s talk!
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