No. Maybe. Yes. Consider the following four things.

1. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Colleges accept homeschoolers with good SAT scores and good records verifying their work. BUT, homeschoolers have to jump through different hoops, more hoops. Homeschool records are not standardized and pose problems for admissions officers, requiring special attention, which they can interpret as annoying -- it takes more time, they have to do the conversions of credits, homeschoolers get defensive when their records are challenged, etc., etc. Some admissions officers have had unpleasant experiences with defensive parents when they asked questions about the homeschool program. And some have heard the horror stories of the lack of understandable recordkeeping which homeschoolers bring to a college.

In contrast, however, homeschool records standardized through NARS, aren't even questioned. The NARS records complete the student’s application. Period. To the admissions people, it is another qualified applicant from another recognized school.

2. SCHOLARSHIPS
In a classic article in the FPEA (Florida Parent Educators Association) newsletter, there was a great piece entitled, "They Want to Give Us Money, but We Won't Let Them” (see page 81). This was written by a college professor to explain that homeschoolers do NOT qualify for most scholarships because they don't meet the minimum standard of having earned a high school diploma.

Most PRIVATE scholarships, trusts, organizations, and scholarship committees automatically make graduation from a recognized secondary institution a prerequisite for granting their scholarship money. Homeschoolers do NOT qualify if all they have is a computer-generated diploma from their parents. In the halls of admissions offices, this is the so-called "Mommy Diploma." It just doesn't qualify.

In contrast, our school is a state-recognized private school on the official roster of private schools in Maine. Even if the admissions officer has never heard of us before, they can log on to the State of Maine's website and verify that we are a real school. That ends that. Now you are a graduate from an established high school.

3. THE LAST CREDENTIAL
You may not want to think about this, but a high school diploma might be the LAST and HIGHEST credential your homeschooler ever achieves. Going to college is one thing; graduating is another. Over 33% of all college freshman never graduate. They get married, they have babies, they get a terrific job offer, they get tired of school, they flunk out, etc., etc. Not pleasant to think of, but the statistics are not in your favor.

In contrast, if students have a good high school record and have earned that valuable high school diploma, they at least have that academic credential.

4. SECURITY CLEARANCE / BACKGROUND CHECKS
You may someday apply to work for the government, or for a government contractor, or for an employer who requires strict background checks. Your application for employment may require security clearance. Your high school records and graduation from NARS keeps the record straight and avoids any large gaps which might otherwise appear in your school records.

CLOSING THOUGHT: We have never heard anyone say, "Boy, I wish I DIDN'T have a high school diploma!"

CONCLUSION: it is better to have a diploma than to not have one!