Alternatives to a GED

Although the GED (General Education Development diploma) is the most widely used testing alternative to a high school education it is not meant to be a substitute for a high school education. The GED test is designed to allow the average high school graduate to pass. Those proficient in high school coursework stand a very good chance of passing. Those not proficient in high school coursework will usually need to prepare for the GED either online or through various community programs that provide GED preparation.

More than 17 million people have received a GED equivalency diploma since the program began. One in every seven Americans, previously high school dropouts, have earned their high school credentials by taking and passing the GED. It is estimated that one in twenty college students has a GED. Seventy percent of people who have passed the GED have completed at least the 10th grade before dropping out of school. The average age of people taking the GED exams is twenty-five years old, although the most common age for people taking the GED test is nineteen years old.

Learn how to get a GED by reviewing our GED tips and preparation material and visiting our United States GED directory. The American Council of Education (ACE) administers the GED, or General Education Development test. The GED tests are only given at designated test centers throughout the U.S. under proctored and monitored conditions. You cannot take the official GED test online. As an alternative to a GED, My-Ged.com offers a GED prep course available online as well as a free practice test to help you understand the subject areas you may need to improve in, and to provide you with the tools to further your education.

Online High Schools

Many people choose to go to an online high school where coursework is completed on the Internet.

Time commitments vary by school but usually are at least several hours a day. One big advantage to an online program is that the hours and days you complete the coursework are very flexible. A sample list of online schools is below.

Many states have complete tuition free programs. Check with your local state board of education for online schools that offer free tuition programs.

For a state by state list of online high schools Click Here

Sample List of Online Schools

• Excel High School provides both online high school courses and a complete high school diploma curriculum online. All courses are completed online and without having to ever attend a traditional classroom.
  www.excelhighschool.com
• The Grace Academy, a Homeschooling Online Academy. Special homeschooling resource. Teacher-led, complete, accredited homeschool solution for K-12 students. Complete teacher support, record keeping, daily assignments. Curriculum materials included.
  www.thegraceacademy.org
• The Morning Star Academy, a K-12 Accredited Homeschool Academy. Complete K-12 online homeschooling private school. Credits. High school diploma. Nationwide. Complete record keeping and teachers for every subject. All curriculum materials included.
  www.themorningstaracademy.org
• Compuhigh - Online High School Compuhigh offers an online accredited high school curriculum that issues diplomas. Compuhigh offers individual courses including algebra, geometry, biology, English and more.
  www.compuhigh.com
• Providence High School Online High School. Providence High School offers online high school learning programs. Their programs are designed to offer quality coursework that can lead to a high school diploma.
  www.provhigh.com
• Keystone High School - Online High School. With Keystone National High School's accredited programs, you can earn your high school credits or diploma online. Take individual classes or earn your high school diploma.
  www.keystonehighschool.com
• Virtual House Online High School. Accredited online high school programs for 9th-12th grade. College preparatory curriculum, home school and independent study. State registered. Certified teachers, affordable tuition.
  www.virtualhse.com
• The Jubilee Academy, a Christian Online K-12 Homeschool Academy. Complete K-12 homeschool online. Teachers follow the parents' lead. Documents attendance and grades for the high school diploma. They provide help to assist you in remaining in control of your child's education.
  www.thejubileeacademy.org

Alternative Diploma Programs

Although the official GED is the most widely accepted alternative to a traditional high school diploma, an option to the GED or an online high school are diploma programs that offer online testing and other criteria to determine if you are eligible for a diploma.

These diploma programs act as an alternative to getting your GED or attending an online school. The key with these programs is that, although they are usually not accredited, they are rapid to complete and are often accepted by employers and some colleges as satisfying their requirement for for hire or admission.

Diploma programs are not meant to be the equivalent of a high school education but instead are meant to allow employers and colleges, at their own discretion, to accept students based on experience, motivation or need. Most diploma programs do not guarantee acceptance by any specific college or employer.

• Capitol High School - Offers online diploma program. Pass online test and submit essay and life experience and receive diploma.
  www.chsonlinehighschool.com