Although there is a stereotype that high school is the best time in one's life, this is definitely not always the case. Some of you just want to learn how to get your high school diploma early. There's good and bad news on that front, but more good than bad r.
Although there is a stereotype that high school is the best time in one's life, this is definitely not always the case. Some of you just want to learn how to get your high school diploma early. There's good and bad news on that front, but more good than bad r.
Graduating early is a worthwhile goal, and one that many students share. There are several ways to do so, some of which are intended to be early-exit plans, and others which can be taken advantage of. Unfortunately, many states require that students have their parents' permission to leave school before the dropout age, even if they have completed all the graduation requirements. This age varies by state from 16 to 18.
There are programs available both through the public system and private schools. California also has a state test that allows pupils who are age 16 or older to stop attending with their parents' permission if they pass (the normal dropout age in this state is 18). This is an equivalency exam like the GED, though it can be taken at a younger age.
For students at public schools, there are a couple of options. One is to complete all the graduation requirements by taking regular classes, but only taking exactly what you need and taking no optional 'free' or 'study' periods. Sometimes, the addition of a summer course or two is required in order to get enough credits. The maximum amount this method speeds up graduation is generally about a year.
Another option is a non-traditional method of learning. Public schools have independent study programs, though these are not generally something that just anyone can get into. Students with disabilities or mental health issues can use these programs to graduate early by finishing their coursework faster than the usual class does, however. Some areas have voluntary home-schooling programs, which are essentially just independent study, that can be used the same way.
Some public schools have agreements with local community colleges where upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) can take community college courses along with a reduced load of normal classes. This does not actually speed up graduation, but instead puts students ahead when they do graduate, as their college courses are 'double-counted' towards both high school and college.
Another way to use local community colleges is to take classes through them. Most high schools consider college units to be twice the value of their units, and therefore a single semester college course can often fulfill a full-year high school requirement. But high schools usually have rules about which courses can be taken this way, and how many units can be transferred in.
Using private schools is usually easier. Online private schools are the simplest method. Either by taking a few courses that you transfer to your regular school, or by completing a whole degree program, online private schools allow you to work at a faster pace than traditional courses. And often, you can transfer in many more units from a college.
