What are Alternative Ways to Get a High School Diploma in Berkeley County, South Carolina?
Obtaining a high school diploma opens many doors including opportunities for better jobs and more pay. According to the National Education Association (NEA), high school graduates earn an average of over $9000 per year more than dropouts, and the unemployment rate is 17 percent higher for those without a high school diploma. When traditional high school is not appropriate, students in Berkeley County, South Carolina, can turn to a number of different options to receive a diploma.
Other People Are Reading
-
Alternative School
-
Berkeley County's alternative school, housed in the Berkeley Education Center in Moncks Corner, offers smaller classes in a different setting for students in grades 6 through 12. Although the alternative school is intended to be a short-term solution for students experiencing problems in the regular school district, the program fulfills the requirements for graduation. For entry, students obtain a referral from their regular school administrator or the school district's hearing officer if behavioral or discipline problems need addressed.
Evening High School
-
Students who have begun high school coursework can finish through Berkeley County's evening high school program. Students take one or two classes per semester. Courses run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students must complete English I, algebra I or its equivalent, and physical science or biology with a total of at least ten credits before enrolling. Students apply through any school's guidance office and must receive a recommendation from their school's principal. Students work online with content area teachers available for assistance.
-
Adult and Community Education
-
Students who have already dropped out of school may take county adult and community education courses once they reach age 18. As long as they received at least 16 credits from school, the remainder are taught in self-paced classes. Students take 60 hours of instruction for each of the eight remaining credits needed for graduation. Students self-refer to the program but pay $70 for each credit. Registration dates run through the year. Finishing the program results in a diploma.
General Educational Development (GED)
-
Students age 17 who have dropped out of high school can take the General Educational Development (GED) exams. The GED contains five multiple choice tests that measure applicants' knowledge at the high school graduate level. Classes are not required, but attending the adult education courses, receiving tutoring or self-study may help applicants pass the tests. Colleges and employers consider the GED equivalent to a high school diploma. GED centers administer the tests around the state.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
