Preparing for Homeschool Graduation: Diploma, GED, and The High School Transcript
Preparing for high school graduation often starts long before the senior year, even for homeschooled children. As homeschooling parents, operating outside the usual systems where many matters related to gradaution are planned, scheduled, and prepared for you, preparing for your child's graduation on your own can feel overwhelming.
Here, we'll answer some frequently asked questions regarding bit ticket graduation items for homeschooled children in New Jersey (note: if you live in a different state, please research your state's laws when it comes to homeschooling and high school graduation).
How Can I Receive My Child's NJ High School Diploma?
According to New Jersey homeschool laws, homeschooled high schoolers do not receive an NJ Diploma. State-endorsed diplomas are only issued to children enrolled in and gradauting from registered NJ high schools.
In short, this means that as a homeschooler in New Jersey, your child does not need a diploma to prove their completion of high school.
The item that will prove their completion of highschool, and be used to apply for college, will be their High School Transcript.
What Is a High School Transcript?
The high school transcript is a record of courses taken by your child during their high school years, the grades they received, and the credits that each course was worth.
When your child attends a public or private high school, the school creates a transcript for you. As a homeschooler, you create your child's transcript, assign them grades, and note the credits for each course. You can include coursework they covered at home, through online classes, or during their enrollment with a local cooperative or learning cener.
You can read our past articles about what goes into a transcript here.
When your child applies to college or other learning institutions, the transcript will give those institutions a good idea of the breadth of your child's education and how well they did over the years.
Note: If your child is enrolled in our co-op high school program, they can receive an official grade for their coursework upon request.
Are There Any Alternatives to the NJ Diploma?
Yes. NJ allows two alternatives to receiving a state issued diploma:
The GED, General Education Development test, can be taken by your child when they are either 16 or 17 years old. If they pass the GED, then the state will issue them a passing score for their records as well as a state issued high school equivalency certificate.
Like a standard high school diploma, the high school equivalency certificate will allow your child to move onto applying for college, trade or technical schools, and more.
The 30 College Credit Program is available for those who choose not to take the GED. This program allows a person to complete 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education, and have the transcript of courses taken evaluated in order to earn a high school equivalency in place of a standard high school diploma.
Which One Do Colleges Want? High School Equivalency or Transcript?
Each college and university has different requirements for homeschooled applicants.
It's vital for parents to thoroughly research which schools their child wants to apply to and get up-to-date information on their requirements.
With that said, we've outlined the requirements from a few NJ school admissions websites for you below. Please bear in mind the requirements listed are only in reference to high school equivalency and transcripts. Each school has other requirements that are not listed and the requirements below can change from year to year.
Rutgers - High School Equivalency AND Transcript
Montclair State University - High School Equivalency OR Transcript
Princeton University - Transcript
Stevens Institute of Technology - High School Equivalency AND Transcript
Monmouth University - Transcript