Is there a test I can take to graduate High school earlier?

In California, we have two options (that I know of): The California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) and the General Educational Development (GED) test. The GED should be available in all states. From what I understand, they do not give you a high school diploma but are treated as the equivalent to one.

To qualify for the CHSPE, you must:

” You may take the CHSPE only if, on the test date, you:

* are at least 16 years old, or
* have been enrolled in the tenth grade for one academic year or longer, or
* will complete one academic year of enrollment in the tenth grade at the end of the semester during which the next regular administration will be conducted. (Regular administrations are the fall and spring administration each school year.)

Photo ID Required: Acceptable photo identification must be presented at the time of check-in or you will not be admitted to the test.”

Here is more about the test.

When I was in high school I figured out that we needed much fewer credits to graduate than what I was going to wind up with if I went full time through my senior year. I wish I had figured it out sooner. The principal was reluctant to approve, I don’t really see how it can be denied, but I doubled up on English the first semester of my senior year, and started college the second half of the year. I actually walked with my high school class in June, and received a diploma like everyone else. If I had realized my requirements in 10th grade I would have doubled up on other required classes, and graduated after my junior year.

I only mention this, because it may not be written anywhere that you can do something like this. I had to get creative on my own to figure it out. It helped that my mom got out of school early by taking a summer class, and my dad graduated early, because he was in an accelerated program where he lived.

Before you go the GED route, make sure it won’t hold you back in your long term goals. If you want to go to college, be sure the university will not look upon it negatively. I have no idea how universities view these things, although I have heard that some univerisities are very please with their students who were home schooled, and I would guess homeschooled students do some sort of testing to demonstrate their knowledge.

I do think many people have a negative reaction to GED, seeing it as inferior to a diploma. I am not saying it is inferior, just saying how it may be perceived.

You could also see about taking online courses and summer school, and double up on classes.