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High School Diploma Program
Aspiring Heights Academy offers an optional High School Diploma Program for students seeking a Florida high school diploma. In addition to the support and services provided under our Standard Program, under this program, we guide students and monitor their progress toward graduation, provide regularly updated cumulative summaries, permanently maintain transcripts, and award diplomas to students who satisfy our graduation requirements. Eligible students may be enrolled or transferred into our diploma program at any time, but we recommend enrolling your student at the beginning of Grade 9 for additional support and guidance.
- Does enrolling in your school satisfy Florida's compulsory attendance requirement?
Yes. Enrollment at Aspiring Heights Academy legally meets the compulsory attendance laws of Florida. Aspiring Heights Academy is a home-based, non-public school that has been registered with the Florida Department of Education since 2010. We provide an "umbrella" option to help parents educate their children at home.
- Does it matter what state we live in to enroll in your school?
Yes. Our school only serves Florida families. Students must be legal residents in the state of Florida. Military families living outside the state of Florida may enroll their children, but they must maintain their Florida residency.
- Does it matter what county we live in to enroll in your school?
No. Our school serves students statewide.
- Is your school accredited?
No. There is no state law requiring private schools in Florida to be accredited.
- When can I enroll my children in your school?
Anytime! Enrollment is open year-round.
- What are the differences between your standard, academic, and high school diploma programs?
We have created a comparison chart to make it easy for you to see what each program includes. For an overview, see our Program Options table.
- What information do you need for enrollment at your school?
We need to know where you and your child reside and how to contact you and we need to know your child's age and general health. If your child will be enrolling in courses at FLVS or participating in college dual enrollment, we will also need proof of residency and academic records from your child's current/former school. If your child will be enrolling into our diploma program, we will need copies of your child's transcripts documenting high school credits. Please see our Required Documents for New Student Enrollment and Required Documents for Student Re-Enrollment pages more information.
- How much does it cost to enroll?
Enrollment fees vary depending on program option. Please see our New Student Enrollment and Student Re-enrollment pages for details.
- Will my child lose the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) if we enroll him at your school?
No, but AHA does not participate in PreK-12 education scholarships. We were advised by a Step Up for Students agent that "If the student is enrolled in a private school that does not participate in the scholarship, then the student would not lose the scholarship. However, the funds awarded cannot be used for tuition and fees for the non-participating private school." For more information please read the Step Up for Students program handbooks. Note that scholarship recipients enrolled in courses at FLVS are responsible for FLVS tuition. Please see their page on School Choice Scholarships for details.
- Will my child be eligible for the PEP Scholarship if enrolled at AHA?
No. Step Up for Students states, "Scholarships are open to any K-12 Florida residents not enrolled in full-time private or public school...." You must "withdraw as a full-time public or private school student or terminate a home education program with [your] school district and enroll as a PEP student with Step Up For Students."
- What payment methods do you accept?
We accept debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, checks, money orders, and cash. PayPal buttons are provided on our enrollment, transfer, and expedited service pages. See our Fees and Payment Methods page for details.
- How long does the enrollment process take?
Enrollments are processed Monday through Friday within three business days of receipt of the required documentation and payment. We offer expedited services (same day and Saturday enrollments) for an additional fee.
- Is my child's enrollment information sent to our school district or to the state?
We do not routinely send enrollment information to school districts or the state. We will notify your child's former school of their enrollment at AHA if you include a notification form with your enrollment documents. Parents and guardians are responsible for formally withdrawing their children from their former school or terminating their home education program. See our notification FAQ for information about notifying school officials.
Note that Florida law requires private schools to keep a register of enrollment and attendance open for inspection by the district school superintendent of the district in which the school is located. Statistical data, such as how many students are enrolled in each grade level, is provided to the Florida Department of Education. You can view Private School Annual Reports at www.fldoe.org. - May I register for the upcoming school year early?
Yes. If you would like to start your school year on a specific date, just include your preferred start date on your enrollment form. This must be a future date. We cannot backdate enrollments.
- When will my child's school term begin?
Your child's term will begin on the day your child is enrolled unless a future start date is requested on your enrollment form.
- When will my child's school term end?
Your child's term will end one year from their enrollment date or on grade level completion, whichever comes first.
- Can we change our school term?
As long as your child has maintained regular attendance during the current school term, you are welcome to re-enroll your child to establish a new school term. Just send us your attendance record to date and an enrollment form specifying the future date you would like to begin the new school term.
- What do I need to do when my child is ready to change grade levels?
When your child is ready to advance to the next grade level, just send us your attendance record to date and re-enroll. (To be eligible for re-enrollment, your child must have maintained regular attendance.) If you would like to change your child's grade level below the current grade level, please contact us.
- My child is behind in math, but is on level with his other courses. Should I hold my child back?
It's common for the levels of a student's coursework to vary. When considering your child's grade level, consider the grade level at which the majority of the subjects are based.
- Do I have to maintain a school portfolio?
No, but we recommend you keep one. It may be helpful should your child enter or return to public school. You may need to keep one if you enroll your child in our academic or diploma program. Also, some colleges and universities require applicants who complete a home school program or graduate from a non-accredited high school to submit portfolios to be considered for admission.
- How is my child evaluated?
You may choose the method in which your child is evaluated. We do not provide evaluations or require that parents have their children evaluated. Some parents want to have their children tested, so we've compiled a list of assessment resources here as a starting point. You may also find your zoned district school's homeschool department helpful in finding a teacher who administers standardized tests or performs homeschool evaluations. You may need a homeschool evaluator if your child is enrolled in our academic program or diploma program and you will be validating your child's coursework via a portfolio review.
- What records do I have to keep?
The only recordkeeping we require is attendance. You must keep records that document your child's absence or attendance for each school day and show regular school attendance of at least 180 days for each school year. See our Recordkeeping Requirements page for more information. If you're enrolling your child in our academic program or diploma program, you will need to document coursework in accordance with those program policies.
- How do we document our children's grades?
If your children are taking courses through FLVS, their grades will be documented on FLVS transcripts. If you are using your own curriculum, you may document their grades on grade reports. (Students enrolled in our academic program and diploma program must have their coursework documented more thoroughly.)
- Will my child have to participate in standardized testing?
No. Students are not required to take Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Assessments or Florida Standard Assessments (FSA), including End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. Students may participate in EOC assessments, if desired, and there are certain circumstances in which students should participate.
- Do you provide curriculum?
We provide online curriculum through an agreement with Florida Virtual School (FLVS), however, enrolling in FLVS courses is optional. We encourage you to use what works best for your child.
- Will my child be able to participate in public school sports?
Probably not. Our enrollment exceeds the maximum number allowed by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
- Do high school students have to be enrolled in your diploma program?
No. Our High School Diploma Program is optional.
- When can I enroll my child in the diploma program?
Students in grades 6 through 12 may be enrolled in or transferred into the diploma program at any time. However, your child must complete a minimum of one full semester with us and must be enrolled prior to age 20. If you're unsure of your child's high school plans, you're welcome to wait. We recommend you follow our graduation requirements in the meantime. Student must meet our eligibility requirements to be accepted into the program.
- Do high school students have to take statewide assessments?
No. Our students are not required to take Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) or Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) assessments, including End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. Students may want to take EOC assessments to earn credit for a course without having to take the course or if they may enter or return to public school.
- Will you need my child's high school transcripts?
We will only need transcripts if your child is enrolled in our diploma program.
- Will my child receive a high school diploma?
Students enrolled in our High School Diploma Program who meet our graduation requirements will receive a high school diploma.
- Will my child be able to participate in college dual enrollment?
Your child will be able to participate in Florida's dual enrollment program if the following conditions are met:
- Your child is in grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12;
- Your child is enrolled in our High School Diploma Program;
- Your child is able to meet the eligibility requirements for initial enrollment in college credit dual enrollment courses; and
- Your child will attend a college that we have a dual enrollment articulation agreement with.
- Do you provide transcripts?
We maintain and provide transcripts for students enrolled in our academic and diploma programs. Students taking courses at FLVS are able to access their FLVS transcripts through their FLVS accounts.
- Can we use our own curriculum?
We do not require any specific high school curriculum. If your high school student is enrolled in our diploma program, however, coursework must be documented in accordance with our diploma program policies.
- Will my child be accepted into college?
No school can guarantee college acceptance. Many postsecondary institutions require applicants who complete a home education program or graduate from a non-accredited high school to submit portfolios and transcripts from their originating sources to be considered for admission. Additionally, the acceptance of diplomas and transcripts from private schools (whether accredited or not) is subject to the requirements of the receiving institution. If you will be enrolling your high school student into our diploma program, we encourage you to reach out to colleges your student is considering attending to ensure they will be accepted for admission. See our High School Diploma Program page for more information.
If you will not be enrolling your high school student into our diploma program, keep in mind that students enrolled at Aspiring Heights Academy are private school students, not home educated as defined in s. 1002.41. Some colleges require students applying as home educated to provide district verification that they completed a home education program. Some colleges accept students who complete high school under an umbrella school without earning a high school diploma as home educated; some require the student to present a GED. We encourage you to reach out to prospective colleges to find out what their admission requirements are.
- Will my child be eligible for a Bright Futures Scholarship?
Provided specific scholarship eligibility requirements are met, students graduating with an Aspiring Heights Academy diploma are eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships.
Program Fees
Program Features
A high school Certificate of Completion does not carry any of the privileges of a high school diploma. Students earning a high school Certificate of Completion may have difficulty finding employment and getting into college.
Many colleges and universities require applicants who complete a home school program or graduate from a non-accredited high school to submit portfolios and/or transcripts to be considered for admission. The acceptance of diplomas and transcripts from private schools is subject to the requirements of the receiving institution.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for our High School Diploma Program, the student must:
- Be a legal Florida resident;
- Be enrolled at Aspiring Heights Academy prior to turning age 20;
- Be entering grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12;
- Be able to meet our high school graduation requirements prior to turning age 21 or by the end of the student's fifth high school year, whichever comes first;
- Complete at minimum one full semester at Aspiring Heights Academy; and
- Be able to document high school coursework on official school transcripts and in accordance with our Credit by Portfolio policy.
Grade Level Placement and Promotion
The grade level at which a student will be placed on program enrollment is based on the number of credits the student has earned and the year the student will enter or entered grade 9. Middle school promotion is based on the number of core middle or high school level credits the student has earned. High school promotion is based on the number of credits the student has earned toward high school graduation. A student may be promoted at the end of the first semester if appropriate.
| Grade Level Promotion | Credit Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grade 6 to Grade 7 | A minimum of 4 middle or high school credits, including 1 English credit, 1 math credit, 1 science credit, and 1 social studies credit |
| Grade 7 to Grade 8 | A minimum of 8 middle or high school credits, including 2 English credits, 2 math credits, 2 science credits, and 2 social studies credits |
| Grade 8 to Grade 9 | A minimum of 12 middle or high school credits, including 3 English credits, 3 math credits, 3 science credits, and 3 social studies credits |
| Grade 9 to Grade 10 | A minimum of 5 credits toward graduation |
| Grade 10 to Grade 11 | A minimum of 11 credits toward graduation |
| Grade 11 to grade 12 | A minimum of 17 credits toward graduation, including a minimum of 2 English credits, 2 math credits, 2 science credits, and 2 social studies credits. A student in grade 12 may enroll in a fifth year of high school to meet our high school graduation requirements if needed, however all coursework must be completed prior to turning age 21. |
College Acceptance
The acceptance of diplomas, transcripts, and graduates from private schools is subject to the requirements of the receiving institution. Aspiring Heights Academy is not accredited. Before you enroll your high school student into our diploma program, we recommend that you contact prospective post-secondary educational institutions in writing to ensure acceptance for admission. Below is a sample email.
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To: <Institution Name Here>
Attention: Admissions Department
My child is interested in attending <Institution Name Here>. <Your child's name> will be earning a diploma from Aspiring Heights Academy, a Florida private school that has been registered with the Florida Department of Education since 2010. Will my child eligible for admission at <Institution Name Here>? Information about Aspiring Heights Academy and their graduation policies can be found at https://aspiringheightsacademy.com/5491. Please let me know if there are any other requirements for admission that would apply. Thank you,
<Your Name Here>
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Program Transfer
If you would like to transfer your student into our diploma program, please see our Program Transfer page for our transfer form and fees and payment details. Please note that program transfers do not change or extend a student's grade level or current term.
Other Program Options
We also offer a standard program for parents who wish to maintain their own academic records and an academic program to help parents document their student's coursework and for students to earn a Certificate of Completion at the end of each school year. For an overview of all programs offered, see our program comparison guide.
