There are two ways to determine a credit.

1. For textbook-driven subjects ( there are exceptions )

For the customary textbook subjects such as Math, History, English, Science, and the like, the following four conditions apply:

1. If the publisher has identified this textbook or course as a high school level course, and
2. if the student has completed the textbook, and
3. if the assigned work has been completed to the satisfaction of the parent, and
4. if the coursework has been documented to the satisfaction of our school,
5. THEN, he or she is granted a high school credit in that subject REGARDLESS of age and REGARDLESS of how quickly it was done.


Much more detail is provided on pages 28 and 50.


2. For self-designed subjects (there are exceptions)

For subjects such as music, art, drama, phys ed, computer literacy, state studies, etc., where no textbook is used, the following FIVE conditions apply.

1. If the student has begun his or her high school career* (see fine print, Handbook, page 28), and
2. if the student completes 160 half-hour sessions (80 clock hours) in one self-designed subject area, and
3. if the self-design has been organized into a “Course Description” for the subject (see samples on pages 56-57), and
4. if the student has completed the work to the satisfaction of the parent, and
5. if the work has been documented to the satisfaction of the school,
6. then, after all five conditions are met, a high school credit is awarded in that subject -- but ONLY AFTER HE OR SHE HAS “begun the high school career!”


Much more detail is offered throughout this handbook.

EXCEPTIONS & REASONING:

MUSIC & ART: Often students have been taking piano lessons since they were small children. The lessons they take in the 7th and 8th grade will NOT be counted as high school-level courses, UNLESS the instructor specifically writes a letter stating that the student is operating at the high school level in this course. This letter cannot come from the parent; it must come from the qualified instructor. This letter will become part of the student’s file, and it will be available to our state officials to justify why we granted a high school credit for the course.

PHYS. ED.: Exceptions are almost never granted. However, if a junior high student is playing team sports on a high school team, AND if the coach is willing to certify in writing that the team is a high school team and this student is participating satisfactorily, then we would consider the exception.
Such certification is not acceptable from the parent, however; it must come from the qualified instructor. This letter will become part of the student’s file, and it will be available to our state officials to justify why we granted a high school credit for the course.

HEALTH: Only when a young student takes a course that is identified as a high school level or adult level course will we grant a credit. For example: a junior high student who completes a certified CPR course will be able to count the course hours towards the 40 hours (1/2 credit) needed for a health credit. A copy of the certificate must accompany the recordkeeping.