Graduating high school early can provide you with a strong head start.
For students tired of endless homework and navigating the challenging social landscape of high school, early graduation can seem like a dream come true. You may be able to finish high school early if you get enough credits, but you'll have to take extra courses and may have to meet additional graduation requirements.
Early Graduation Basics
Every school district establishes its own requirements for high school graduation. Students who meet these requirements prior to their senior year may be able to apply for early graduation. Some schools, however, may discourage early graduation and instead encourage you to take Advanced Placement classes. Your school may also place a limit on the number of courses you can take per semester, limiting your ability to graduate early.
Early Graduation Options
The simplest way to graduate early is to take extra classes. You might, for example, take another math class rather than signing up for a study hall or elective. Some schools, however, allow students to take college-level courses at local colleges and universities. There are also several online schools designed to help students take high school classes and graduate early. You'll likely need to talk to your school's guidance office to determine which courses you need to take to qualify for early graduation.
Additional Requirements
You may have to do more than simply take additional classes to graduate early. Your school might have a minimum GPA requirement for graduates or mandate that you complete a graduation project. In some states, such as Alabama and Georgia, you'll also have to take a graduation test before you'll be able to get your diploma. If you don't pass, you'll be denied graduation, even if you've met all your course requirements.
Early Graduation Benefits
Graduating high school early can give you a head start. If you go straight to college, you'll likely graduate college before your high school peers. You may also be eligible for additional scholarships. For example, Indiana offers the Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship in the amount of $4, 000 for students who graduate high school at least one year early.
