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Graduation Resources
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Graduating with Home Ed
The information below provides an overview of what you can expect during a typical Home Ed graduation. Please note that there may be slight variations from year to year due to factors such as venue availability, economic changes, and other factors.
Membership – The family must register as a Home Ed member before the fall deadline, which is typically October 1 ($35/year)
Graduation Date – The graduation ceremony is typically held on the second Thursday of May, but it may vary depending on venue availability.
Cost – As a junior, students must pay a participation fee of $125 to have the privilege of attending the Junior/Senior Prom and to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. In the event that the costs increase, an additional fee of $25 will be collected during their senior year. The fee of $125 covers costs related to junior and senior years, but additional fundraising is required as it does not fully cover all expenses.
Please note that if a student decides to enroll in Home Ed only for their senior year, they will be required to pay the participation fee of $125. We strive to keep costs as reasonable as possible, but in the event that the expenses for the venue, sound technician, and after-party exceed the total amount collected, an additional fee may be charged in January.
Cap/Gown – The cost of the cap, gown, cords, and graduation announcements is the responsibility of each family. The graduate’s cap and gown are ordered from Josten’s in October or November. Home Ed does not change the color (navy blue) so that younger siblings may re-use the cap/gown of older siblings or Home Ed friends. You can wear a previously used cap and gown for graduation by borrowing from a previous student or sibling.
Ceremony – Students sit together as a class during the formal ceremony, and the parents sit together in the opposite front section of the venue. This enables parents to walk across the stage to present their child with a diploma when the name of each graduate is announced.
Venue – The location of the graduation ceremony varies but is based on the capacity to hold our large Home Ed community and relatives. Past venues include Immanuel Baptist Church, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, and Fellowship Bible Church.
Reception/Display Boards – After the graduation ceremony, the sophomore class hosts a reception where each graduate displays a board featuring photos and memorabilia. These boards will be provided to you at a mandatory Spring Graduation parent meeting.
After Party – The Class sponsors typically host a Home Ed graduation ceremony after party for the graduates (plus up to 1 guest each). The After-Party is usually held at a local restaurant and includes food and games. The class sponsor will keep parents informed about this event.
Diploma – A formal diploma is presented to each graduate by the parents during the ceremony. The diploma is ordered from Jostens
Credits verified – In the fall, transcripts are verified by the graduation committee to ensure each student has completed the necessary courses or obtained the necessary credits to graduate with Home Ed based on the most current Home Ed graduation requirements.
Class photos – Class photos are taken during graduation rehearsal (when available).
Slideshows – Students submit 4 pictures each for the slide show played during graduation. In addition, a slideshow picturing a senior picture and a preschool picture is displayed as each graduate is announced to receive his/her diploma.
Program – The graduation program includes a head-and-shoulders senior picture of each graduate, as well as a 90-word write-up describing his/her high school achievements and future plans.
Deadlines – Handouts describing all deadlines are distributed at the October mandatory parent meeting.
Mandatory parent meetings – At least one parent of each graduate must attend the mandatory parent meetings (generally in October, December, and March), as well as the graduation rehearsal the afternoon of graduation.
Who coordinates all Home Ed graduation details?
All graduation details are completed by the parent and student volunteers. The class is coordinated by the class sponsor parent who was chosen by the Home Ed board of directors to head up that class’ activities.
How many students graduate with Home Ed each year?
The number of graduates differs each year, but averages between 55-90 students.
Are graduating seniors featured in the yearbook?
Home Ed does not consistently publish a yearbook every year. This is because it relies on the availability of volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time and effort into creating a Home Ed Yearbook. When there are volunteers available, each senior is given a special section in the yearbook, which includes a senior photo, preschool photo, and a personal write-up of approximately 130 words to honor them.
What if my student decides in the spring to participate in the Home Ed graduation ceremony?
Unfortunately, commitment to participate in the Home Ed graduation ceremony must be made in the fall (by Oct. 1st) of senior year to meet all deadlines.
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Graduation Requirements
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What do the various graduation cord colors (aka ropes) represent?
The graduate is not required to wear cords, it is optional, but a few of the cords have non-negotiable standards.
Leadership Cord: (non-negotiable standards; ALL criteria must be met)
White cord
worn at graduation
Available to students who have a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale AND
Completed at least 250 community service hours AND have held at least 2 leadership positions (school, church, community)
Academic Cord: (non-negotiable standards; ALL criteria must be met)
Gold
worn at graduation
Available to students who have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA on a 4-point scale AND
A score of 26+ (composite) on the ACT or 1800+ on the SAT.
Must provide a copy of student’s ACT to wear this cord. You must provide the copy of your student’s ACT scores to the Class Sponsor prior to ordering it through Jostens.
Other cord colors
Antique gold = National Homeschool Honor Society; Arkansas Honor Society
Gold = Academic Honors (ACT Score of 26+ and GPA of 3.5+; see criteria above)
Maroon = Music
Pink = Art/Creativity/Dance
Purple = Missions/Serving (250+ hours of service in high school)
Red = Courage/Determination
Red, White, & Blue = Eagle Scout
Black - Civil Air Patrol
Blue & Yellow - Thespian
Pink - Art/Creativity/Dance
Red - Courage & Determination
Maroon - Music
Brown - Fine Arts
Sage - Athletics
Red & White - Robotics
Cords are ordered at the same time as the cap and gown through Jostens in the fall.
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Before clicking the link and completing the form below, you must read & review the NEW Home Ed Graduation options. This year we are offering a Flex Track and a Traditional Track.
Every parent must complete this form for their student!!
Click here to submit -Graduation Transcript Track Submission Form
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Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship:
Click here to apply for the - Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship.
Click here for additional information regarding the Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship
Arkansas National Guard
Click here for information
ADHE
Click here to access the Arkansas Scholarship Management System
High School Life
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As of July 2019, students enrolled in a home school no longer have to bring a notarized copy of their notice of intent form when they take the written portion of the Arkansas driver’s test.
Students seeking a driver’s license will need to show two forms of identification: An original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a secondary form of ID.
Here’s a list of secondary forms of identification the Arkansas State Police will accept:
Arkansas State ID or Valid Out of State License
Photo Work/School ID
Vehicle Registration and/or Title
Bureau of Indian Affairs/Indian Treaty Card (No Tribal Card)
Marriage Certificate or Marriage License
Health Insurance Card (includes Medicare/Medicaid and AR Kids until age 19)
IRS/State Tax Forms (W-2 Form is not accepted)
Court Order (Must be signed and sealed)
Concealed Handgun Permit
Certified School Transcript
Pilot License
Court Records
Prison Release Document or Sentencing Order
Military Photo ID/Military Dependent Photo ID or Armed Forces Discharge Papers (DD214)
The Arkansas State Police has confirmed they will accept an Education Alliance transcript as a certified school transcript.
DRIVER'S EDUCATION
Click here for the free driver manual study book from the Arkansas State Police Office.
Link to the Official Arkansas Driver License Practice Test
Homeschool students wishing to take Driver’s Education courses have several options:
Private schools often offer summer classes that accept home-school students based on space availability.
Private companies offer Driver’s Ed courses (check your local Yellow Pages)
Be sure that you obtain a certificate of completion for these courses so that you can receive insurance discounts.
INSURANCE
Some insurance companies give discounts for taking Driver’s Ed. Be sure that you have a certificate of completion as proof.
Many insurance companies offer discounts for good grades. They will require a recent transcript as proof of grade point.
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Click here to navigate to the ACT website
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Tap here for information on the SAT, PSAT, etc…
Navigating College Admissions & Scholarships
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• SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL
List all college options, not based on any major or cost (Create a long list).
Call or email each college to receive information.
Begin research of colleges.
Plan to take a practice PSAT at the beginning of the sophomore year.
• JUNIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL
Take the PSAT (register at http://www.collegeboard.com)
Create a short list of colleges and begin visiting them
Take both the ACT and SAT and have scores sent to your short list colleges (register at http://www.act.org or http://www.collegeboard.com)
• SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
Apply to colleges on short list
• SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL
Visit colleges (during a school day) from short list
Retake the ACT and/or SAT
In January, apply for financial aid
• CAMPUS VISITS
Always visit during a school day
See a day in the life of a college student
• KEY QUESTIONS
Will you tell me about your students?
Will you tell me about your faculty?
What is there to do outside the classroom?
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When considering you for admission, Universities look at multiple components:
College entrance exam scores
GPA (grade point average)
All GPA’s are not considered equal!
College admissions will be looking at course difficulty across all four years. They will give more weight to students who have successfully completed higher-level courses.
Courses and levels of courses taken in high school (see State of Arkansas Graduation Requirements)
Community service, community or school involvement (clubs, etc.)
DETERMINING GPA (Grade Point Average)
Most high school GPA’s are calculated on a 4 point scale. (A=4 points; B=3 points; C=2 points; D=1 point; F=0 points). The student’s GPA is calculated by adding together the points obtained in each subject and dividing this by the total number of classes taken. Colleges may “weight” or add extra points to classes they consider to be “honors” or “advanced placement”.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CREDIT
AP Credit can only be given if an AP test has been taken for that course. In early spring, homeschool students must contact AP services for a list of schools at which they can take AP exams. To obtain information about AP tests, visit www.collegeboard.com.
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When considering you for admission, Universities look at multiple components:
College entrance exam scores
GPA (grade point average)
All GPA’s are not considered equal!
College admissions will be looking at course difficulty across all four years. They will give more weight to students who have successfully completed higher-level courses.
Courses and levels of courses taken in high school (see State of Arkansas Graduation Requirements)
Community service, community or school involvement (clubs, etc.)
DETERMINING GPA (Grade Point Average)
Most high school GPA’s are calculated on a 4 point scale. (A=4 points; B=3 points; C=2 points; D=1 point; F=0 points). The student’s GPA is calculated by adding together the points obtained in each subject and dividing this by the total number of classes taken. Colleges may “weight” or add extra points to classes they consider to be “honors” or “advanced placement”.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CREDIT
AP Credit can only be given if an AP test has been taken for that course. In early spring, homeschool students must contact AP services for a list of schools at which they can take AP exams. To obtain information about AP tests, visit www.collegeboard.com.
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Regarding registration for the tests listed below:
Frequently, these test registrations will require a code. The College Board states that all Arkansas homeschool students are assigned the same code for taking the PSAT, SAT, ACT, etc. The codes have been PSAT (Arkansas homeschoolers - only) - 990499, SAT - 970000, ACT - 969-999. It should be listed on the registration as an option. The results of these tests will be sent to your home and to the schools you designate.
PSAT/NMSQT
(Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
While not a college entrance exam, this test measures verbal, math, and writing skills. It is beneficial in that it helps the student prepare for the SAT; it gives a comparison with other college-bound students; and it is the test used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Unlike the ACT and SAT, it can only be taken once. It is recommended that students take it in their junior year in order to qualify for the scholarship (10th grade students can take it as a practice test since it only counts in the Junior year). The cost for this test is around $10-$15. It is administered early in the fall semester, so you will need to contact local private or public schools to find out if they allow homeschool students. Information can be found at www.collegeboard.com.
College Entrance Exams
For these tests, practice tests or classes are available and are highly recommended. (One popular local prep course is offered by homeschool dad Steve Leake.)
Since colleges and scholarships rely so heavily on these tests, it is in the student’s best interest to enhance their skills at taking standardized exams.
There are many free practice sites on the web. The student can also take classes, buy study guides, or buy computerized software that gives helpful tips and strategies and practice in taking each type of test.
Most students will take college entrance exams at least twice. Many colleges "superscore," meaning that if a student takes an entrance exam multiple times, the highest score from each test section will be used and added together to get the final overall score. Because of this practice, it is often to a student's advantage to take the test multiple times.
SAT (Stanford Achievement Test)
This is the most widely taken college entrance exam and is usually taken by high school juniors and seniors (although it can be taken at any grade level). The SAT is a measure of the critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills needed for academic success in college. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with the average score at 500 for each test. A perfect score on the SAT is 1600. However, in recent years, fewer than 20% of all test takers achieve a math score of 600 or better. Fewer than 10% receive a score higher than 600 on the verbal section. The test is designed so that students who answer about half of the questions correctly will get an average score. You can obtain information on SAT testing dates, locations, cost, and registration online at www.collegeboard.com.
ACT (American College Testing Assessment)
The ACT tests skill level in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. The tester has 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete the test. There are actually 12 separate scores on the ACT, but the composite (or scaled) score is the most important. It ranges from 1-36. Nearly half of all test takers fall in the 17-23 range. (At this time, 30 is considered to be the “magical score” for scholarships.) You can obtain information on ACT testing dates, locations, cost, and registration online at www.act.org.
Most schools accept both of the above college entrance exams, which gives the student strategic advantage. The ACT is content-based, and the SAT tests critical-thinking and problem solving skills. Some student’ may perform significantly better on one test than the other. You should check with the college of your choice before taking either exam.
Cost
The cost for taking each test is around $70 and they are administered at public and private schools. In general, local private schools are very open to homeschoolers taking the tests alongside their students.
