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1.8 High School Diploma Options (OpenEd Academy 25–26)

When your student reaches high school, they can choose to earn an accredited diploma through OpenEd Academy.

This isn’t required – your family has the freedom to pick the academic route that’s right for you!

But if pursuing a high school diploma feels like the perfect fit, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.

What To Expect

Our academic counselor will partner with you to craft a flexible, personalized pathway that sets your learner up for success.

This plan could include things like:

  • College preparatory courses

  • Career-focused or technical coursework

  • Experience-based learning

While we might start our conversation with a general framework to help you get started, our team doesn’t believe in putting students in a box.

We’ll make sure you feel fully informed about your options – you’ve got a lot of them!

How It Works

Whatever you decide on, you’ll build your student’s unique education by adding courses through OpenEd’s marketplace.

In the bottom left of each tile in the marketplace, you’ll see the number of credits that the course is worth.

To earn a diploma, OpenEd Academy students need to complete 24 credits by the time they graduate.

Standard Distribution of Credits

Wondering what all of this stuff looks like in practice? Here’s what a typical diploma-seeking student’s course load might look like throughout high school:

  • 4 English courses

  • 4 Math courses

  • 3 Science courses

  • 3 Social Studies courses

  • 1 Physical Education / Health course

  • 1 Fine Arts course

  • 8 Elective or Specialized Pathway credits

Your student might also look into options like:

  • Career & Technical Education (CTE)

  • Dual enrollment

  • Advanced academic electives

Keep in mind: This might be a standard distribution of credits, but at OpenEd, students aren’t standard! Your student’s journey could look totally different, and that’s awesome.

FAQs

Q: Who issues the diploma and transcript?

A: OpenEd Academy is the official record-keeping and transcript-issuing institution. We maintain all course records, grades, and credits completed through OpenEd Academy, partner platforms, and approved parent-supplied or experience-based learning. Our academic counselor issues the official transcripts.

Q: How can students earn credit for real-world learning?

A: High school students can earn credit through multiple channels that reflect real-life learning and personal growth.

Traditional Coursework:

  • Core subjects tailored to your student’s interests and goals

  • Engaging electives, fine arts, and CTE courses to expand their learning

Experiential Learning:

  • Entrepreneurial ventures

  • Jobs and internships in your community

  • Service learning and community projects

Your student’s high-interest, high-engagement activities become part of their official academic record—not just extracurricular additions. Teachers help align these experiences with academic standards so they count toward graduation credit.

Q: Can students graduate early or take additional time?

A: Yes! OpenEd Academy allows students to work at their own pace. Some students accelerate their coursework to graduate early, while others take additional time to deepen learning or balance life commitments. Our flexible structure supports both timelines.

Q: Will colleges and universities recognize the OpenEd Academy diploma?

A: All transcript recognition is completely at the discretion of the receiving institution. OpenEd Academy offers a nationally accredited private school diploma. Graduates may use them to apply for college admission, scholarships, employment, or military service. Counselors can assist families with exploring options to prepare students for after high school.

Q: Can students pursue endorsements or specializations?

A: Yes! Students may choose to focus on specific areas such as STEM, Humanities, Arts, or Career & Technical Studies. These concentrations can be reflected on transcripts and portfolios, helping students showcase their interests and strengths when applying for college or future opportunities.

Q: How can I track my student’s progress toward graduation?

A: Families receive access to a planning document to track progress towards graduation. Advisors meet regularly with families to review credit completion, discuss course planning, and ensure students are on track for their chosen diploma pathway.