There are a few options to earn a high school diploma or equivalency in LAUSD. There are options in traditional high schools, High School Educational Options Programs (continuation schools), or Community Adult Schools. Whichever setting you choose, all lead to a diploma or equivalency, all of which give you the option to attend higher education and beyond.
LAUSD High School Diploma Requirements
The Los Angeles Unified School district states that each student must complete the following to earn a high school diploma (traditional high schools and Educational Options High Schools):
1. Complete minimum A-G requirements for CSU admission
2. Complete additional course requirements (PE, Health, Electives)
3. Earn at least 210 credits
4. Complete the Service Learning Requirement
5. Choose a Career Pathway
View and download the LAUSD Graduation Requirements handout.
Division of Adult and Career Education (DACE) Diploma Options
Community Adult Schools and Occupational Centers offer three options for students to earn a diploma or equivalency:
Traditional High School Diploma — 170 Credits in specific courses: English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, Personal Development Course, Computer Applications course, and Electives
Diploma Plus — HISET + 10 specific courses = High School Diploma. Students pass the HISET (diploma equivalency exam) plus 10 specific courses (English, Math, Social Studies, Health, Personal Development, and Computer Applications) to earn a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
HISET Exam — Students who pass the HISET exam earn a Certificate of High School Proficiency. View the HISET informational handout.
Visit the Division of Adult and Career Education website.View the DACE Diploma Options checklists.
Complete the DACE Online Enrollment Form to attend an LAUSD Occupational Center or Adult School. For more information, view the DACE Admission Process handout.
Adult Education Virtual Academy (AEVA)
Adult Education Virtual Academy (AEVA) is a tuition free online school. As part of LA Unified Adult Education’s goal of providing high-quality, accessible education, AEVA helps to ensure that students have the support needed to achieve their career and educational goals regardless of the barriers and obstacles they may face.
As a fully digital campus, AEVA is able to accommodate students’ schedules and help students with earning their high school diploma and training for their career.
For more information, complete the AEVA Interest Form.
There is now an option to take the HiSET at Home!
To meet the needs of test takers who can’t test at a test center because of public health concerns, ETS is offering the HiSET® exam at home option. With the at home option, you can take any of the five subtests that make up the HiSET exam on your own computer at home or in another secure location.
Each subtest delivered at home has the same content, format and on-screen experience as the test you would take at a test center. Your at home appointment will be monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®.
Currently, at home appointments are available 15 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit the HiSET at Home website for information and to register to take the exam.
California High School Proficiency Exam
An option for students to earn a diploma equivalency is The California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). If eligible to take the test, students can earn the legal equivalent of a high school diploma by passing the CHSPE. Upon passing the CHSPE, the California State Board of Education will award a Certificate of Proficiency, which by state law is equivalent to a high school diploma.
The CHSPE consists of two test sections: English Language Arts and Mathematics. You must pass both sections to receive a Certificate of Proficiency. On the test administration day, you can choose to take the Mathematics section, the English Language Arts section, or the English Language Arts Reading section subtest, or any combination of the three.
A student may take the CHSPE if he/she meets one of the following requirements:
- At least 16 years old
- Enrolled in 10th grade for at least one academic year
- Will complete one academic year of enrollment in 10th grade during which the CHSPE administration (spring or fall) will be conducted
Mrs. Koch's Counseling Corner 