The high school years are filled with changes, but there is also more responsibility for the teacher and student, especially if college is on the horizon. During this time there are also more regulations and needs as your high school student begins to step out into the world.
Stepping Out into the Real World
Driver’s License
For full information about Alabama licensing requirements, click here. For the online state driver license manual, click here.
One document that is required for licensing is the Enrollment/Exclusion Form. This needs to be signed and verified by our school administrator before your student applies for the license/permit the first time. Please contact us to have this form prepared for you.
The video below details the laws for new drivers and for drivers aged 16-18:
Work Permit
Alabama changed their child labor laws in 2009. To view the requirements for your student, click here.
Students aged 14-15 are required to have an Eligibility to Work Form filled out by their school. Please contact us with the employing business’s address to have this form prepared for you.
Graduation Requirements
Essential offers three (3) diplomas in recognition of graduation:
General Diploma
Student completes 24 credits that include 4 English credits, 4 Math credits (must include Algebra 1 & Geometry), 4 Social Studies credits, 4 Science credits, 1 Physical Education credit, ½ Health credit, and 1 Life Skills credit.
These are similar to the guidelines for Alabama public school diplomas, but not completely. If you are planning on returning to public high school, you should be intentional to follow their graduation requirements which are more detailed in course selection.
Individualized Diploma
Essential offers a diploma for special needs students, recognizing their work and efforts during their high school years. To receive an Individualized Diploma, parents must submit an Individualized Transcript plan detailing courses that would generally fall into the required subject areas of the General Diploma. Please contact our office for assistance in developing an Individualized plan for your special needs student.
Advanced Diploma
Student completes at least 24 credits that include same requirements as General except with Math credit in Algebra II (along with Algebra 1 and Geometry) and addition of 2 Foreign Language credits.
To graduate and receive a diploma, Essential will require a transcript showing the fulfillment of the diploma requirements. Parents should send in transcript updates each year in order to aid in college entrance and in keeping record of your student’s accomplishments. Again, it is the responsibility of the parent to evaluate & report grades/credits earned. Essential offers online forms available to aid in the process.
Independent Diploma and Transcript
We offer the option for entering high school students to determine how they will receive recognition of their high school work. Parents and students choosing an Independent Diploma will develop their own diploma requirements, maintain their own high school transcript, and provide their own independent diploma.
Parents will still report attendance to Essential and are responsible to submit the completed high school transcript for recognition of graduation by June 30th of the graduating school year. An Independent Diploma or Independent Transcript can only list Essential as the school of enrollment.
If you have any questions about what qualifies as a credit, please feel free to contact us. For the Alabama public school system, a credit is defined as 140 hours of study in a subject, and 1/2 credit is defined as 70 hours of study. Typically, 1 credit is equal to a full school year of study, and 1/2 credit is equal to a semester of study.
Additional High School Resources
FREE Online Curriculum – we are compiling a listing of FREE online lessons/courses/resources for our families. Click the link to view online courses that cover health, driver’s education, P.E., American history, upper level math, science…
College Prep – info for students preparing to enter college
HSLDA offers lots of information and even an e-newsletter for high school parents. http://hslda.org/highschool
Latest HSLDA E-lert regarding Alabama’s compulsory attendance requirements: http://www.hslda.org/elert/archive/2010/07/20100721142956.asp