The Academy of Home Education FAQs—Credits
General | Credits | Course Requirements | Electives | Testing
Can you tell me how to figure high school credits?
High school credits are based on hours of instruction, not necessarily completing a course of study. The standard measurement in a precollege program is the unit of credit. An AHE unit of credit generally represents 50–60 minutes of contact (instruction) five times per week (4–5 hours) over the course of an academic year, that consists of 180 days. A class must meet a minimum of 2.5 hours per week for one semester to earn .25 credits.
What if my child takes a class at a local school?
If BJU Press does not offer the curriculum, some homeschooled students may take advantage of locally offered course work in technical areas, such as driver education, introduction to computers, and auto repair. Credit may be earned in this manner and may be counted toward graduation requirements, provided that credit is not also being applied to another institution (dual credit). An Elective Reporting Form (ERF) must be submitted before instruction. Although weekly grades are not required to be submitted for the course, the parents must request that an official transcript from the school be sent directly to AHE.
Can my child receive high school credit for private music lessons?
Private music lessons will not receive units of credit. However, they will be noted on the transcript as receiving a participation grade.
My child is involved in a community orchestra. Can he receive credit for this?
Students involved in musical groups with a director may earn elective credits if the class meets at least 3 hours a week and includes tests.
Can my child get credit for taking driver's education?
Students taking driver's education may receive credit according to the time of instruction. If a student is taking driver's education at a local school, we require a certificate from the school after the course is completed as well as single final grade (combine classroom and driving grades if necessary). If a parent or designee is teaching the course, we require weekly grades.
Will I satisfy my state's requirements if I meet the graduation standards of AHE?
The course of study outlined for students in The Academy of Home Education is designed to fulfill the general requirements nationwide for a secondary education and a high-school diploma. However, since specific state requirements may vary from the prescribed course under this program, it is the responsibility of the parent/educator to see that his own state's legal requirements are also satisfied. Any state requirements that differ from the curricular track of The Academy of Home Education must be reported upon acceptance into the program.
Can my child take summer school?
Yes, we allow AHE students to take courses in the summer. As with 1st and 2nd semesters, 3rd semester (summer) credit is measured by hours of instruction. Please call the AHE office for more information.
May I count vocabulary for credit?
The vocabulary curriculum is designed to supplement the overall English coursework. There is not enough material for it to stand alone for credit.