FAQ - High School - Preparing for Graduation

How long does one need to be enrolled to get a diploma from HLA?
Will there be a formal HLA graduation ceremony?
When do seniors’ grades need to be turned in?
Will my son or daughter receive a diploma accepted in every state?
Can my student(s) graduate early?
Will there be a final test required by HLA?
How do I get my GED?
Will HLA forward emails for graduations, announcements, and other events?
What information does my senior need to graduate?

Q: How long does one need to be enrolled to get a diploma from HLA?

A: New students who register as seniors with HLA are asked to register early in the current school year. First-time seniors must be registered a minimum of six months in order to receive a diploma from HLA. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis and are subject to the administrator’s approval. There is an additional $50 fee for seniors.

Q: Will there be a formal HLA graduation ceremony?

A: Currently we are not planning on hosting Graduations. Since there are so many Graduations for homeschoolers already held by homeschool associations in each state, as well as in churches and among groups of families, we are going to leave it up to each family to decide which one to be a part of. Click here to link to more information in your own state.

Q: When do seniors’ grades need to be turned in?

A: Parents of seniors should submit their final grades before September 1 (after graduation). Any senior whose yearly or summer school grades are not received before that date must register for the new school year. Note that the official year of graduation will be the school year in which the student was last registered. This will mean little to some, however, to others graduating with "the class of -" is important (dates on class rings, tassels, etc.).

Q: Will my son or daughter receive a diploma accepted in every state?

A: Yes! All students who complete the credit requirements receive a certified diploma. HomeLife Academy is recognized by the state of TN as a Category IV church-related school and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. Diplomas are issued for students in every state upon completion of all HIGH SCHOOL requirements. You can find more information in our high school FAQ page.

The reason why HLA diplomas are accepted in every state is because of what the majority of colleges and universities are looking for in graduates. Colleges/and universities are more interested in ACT/SAT scores, plus the official transcript and portfolio, than the actual name on the diploma. If a student scores a 21 or higher on the ACT most colleges/universities are happy to accept because it raises the status of the college. They use ACT/SAT scores as the primary measuring stick for acceptance and for marketing. Accreditation is usually not a factor when ACT scores are this high. Furthermore, homeschooling has changed all the rules in the last two decades. High school accreditation used to be an indicator of the quality of the student; however, quality of the student is now completely redefined by homeschooling nationwide, to the point that colleges and universities are not even asking if the high school is fully accredited. Even the military is making changes to their admissions policies due to the rising success of home educated students (some of which have transcripts printed from mom and dad's computer). Colleges are seeking out homeschoolers in every state.

Generally, they consider these three things without even asking about accreditation:

ACT/SAT scores are the primary measurement for placement and scholarships. Click here for more information regarded ACT/SAT.
Transcripts. Colleges look carefully at transcripts to make sure a prospective student has had the necessary pre-requisite courses. Our College Preparatory Course of Study, if completed in its entirety, provides these necessary courses.
Portfolio. Does the student stand out compared to other applicants? Our Portfolio features add a great deal of weight to the official transcripts.

So we have put a great deal of attention to the professionalism of our transcripts and portfolios and have gained a great reputation among colleges nationwide. We are proud that our homeschool diplomas have been accepted by colleges and universities all over the nation, from the University of Central Florida to the Air Force Academy.

Q: Can my student(s) graduate early?

A: Completion of the required credits may be accomplished at an accelerated pace. However, some colleges/universities prefer that a student not "overload" the transcript and graduate to quickly from high school. The Goal Based Planning is designed to prepare a student to be successful in college and a career. This requires that he or she lay a solid foundation during high school. Therefore we believe strongly that COURSE CONTENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN # OF CREDITS.

From the perspective of college/university admissions all they see is the list of credits and classes on the official high school transcript which we send them. The transcript is provided as "proof" that the content is there. If, for example, 22 credits is completed in three years a college or university may feel the credits were earned too quickly to fully learn the material. So, depending on the college/university (and it is never too soon to start talking to admissions counselors), you may want to spread things out a little. (This is why we have set 7 credits as the maximum per regular school year and 3 credits as the maximum per summer session.)

The exception to this "rule" is if your student has a really good score on the ACT or SAT. If a college/university receives a "heavy transcript" (as many call it) but it is accompanied by an ACT score of 22 or higher most of the time they will be quite happy to admit and many times even grant scholarships.

Another reason you may want to spread things out a little is for the maturity of the student. Still, homeschoolers are routinely finding that their students can do much more than we ever realized. There was a time when boys were considered young men and girls, young women, as early as age twelve. (Perhaps this is actually normal.) Home education provides wonderful opportunities for you to help your children become Godly men and women without going through "adolescence." Therefore, as with most planning, teaching, and grading decisions HLA grants parents the right to prayerfully choose what is best for your son or daughter.

Q: Will there be a final test required by HLA?

A: NO. Testing is optional due to the wide variety of students which HLA serves. Some students graduate with a technical/vocational diploma after serving in various apprenticeships throughout high school. For these students graduation cannot be measured by an exit exam. Their experience is the determining factor in future success (this is actually very true of college bound students as well).

Standardized testing and high school exit exams are encouraged for college-bound students if it aids the educational process. Each HLA parent-teacher is responsible for making the decision whether to test and for arranging for such tests to be taken. See our testing FAQ for more information.

ACT/SAT tests ARE usually required by colleges/universities. Click here for more information on ACT/SAT testing.

Q: How do I get my GED?

A: NOTE: YOU MUST DROP OUT OF SCHOOL TO TAKE THE GED TEST!

The GED option is for students who withdraw from HLA. If a student is registered with us they can receive a Letter of Withdrawal from HLA to take the GED. If they are registered with another school they will need to get the same sort of letter from them. Getting a General Education Diploma should be considered a last resort. If it is going to take some more time to finish the regular course requirements and receive an official high school diploma it is almost always worth it. The reason is an official high school diploma carries more clout with future employers than does the GED.

Exceptions to this rule are if your student needs the GED to get a job now that will be his or her potential career, or if he or she is entering a family business. There are other exceptions that may apply for different situations.

However, still consider the option of finishing high school if at all possible. Many students settle for the GED only to later find out the extra two years, even if it put them into their twenties, would have been worth it. Even if you will not finish the entire course requirement until you are into your early twenties it can still be worth it. Consider working while you finish your high school diploma if that is possible. If your boss would like a letter from the Dean of the High School at HLA explaining your plans to complete a high school diploma we will be happy to provide it.

If you are sure you would like to take the GED please call our offices to withdraw from HLA. You will be sent a letter of withdraw which you can take with you to sign up for the GED.

Q: Will HLA forward emails for graduations, announcements, and other events?

A: No. HLA is too large to be able to forward emails and/or letters to our member families for graduations, announcements, events, etc. It is the responsibility of each HLA Teacher to check with the homeschool organizations in your state for information regarding deadlines, etc.

Q: What information does my senior need from HLA in order to graduate in a ceremony?

A: It varies depending on the association and the ceremony. The final grades are due two weeks before the graduation ceremony in which he/she will participate. If all grades are not turned in he/she may not receive the information in time to meet the deadline for signing up, ordering invitations, caps and gowns, etc.