Starting the High School Diploma Program

High School Graduation Requirements

Credits you have already earned

GED Preparation 

How do I receive a GED?

Which is better: a GED or a high school diploma?

Adult Basic Education

What is the Core Skills Academy?

High School Diploma 

Starting the High School Diploma Program

Student wishing to earn a high school diploma or GED must meet minimum skill proficiencies to enroll in the Diploma/GED Program. Students must (1) complete a short skills assessment and then (2) schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to determine credit needs and academic skill level for appropriate placement.

All students working toward a high school diploma must be interviewed by a counselor prior to enrollment. A transcript for any previously earned credits will be needed for evaluation. The office can assist you in getting the transcripts you will need.

Enrollment is open throughout the semester, except in Directed Classes. High school subject ready adult students may select from the learning options which include High School Subject for Adults, Independent Study, GED preparation and Directed Classes.

Options are offered mornings, afternoons, and evenings. For complete listing of options and times click the link to schedule of classes.

Students will continue to see a counselor at least once each semester until graduation requirements are completed. The student will then be eligible to participate in an impressive, formal, cap and gown graduation ceremony which is held each June.

To find out more information about our Counseling Services, click here.

High School Graduation Requirements

An additional graduation requirement for a high school diploma is passing both sections of the California High School Exit Exam. The school offers this exam three times each year, usually in September, February and May.

Credits for Work Experience and Past Education

Many working adults will already have earned 40 credits simply for having worked their regular full or part-time job for two to four years.  Past employment can be proved by furnishing tax returns, W-2 forms, or by having your present or past employer complete a simple form which the counseling office will provide to you.

Military experience may also be used to fulfill a portion of the elective requirement.

Adults who took high school level classes in the United States or a foreign country in the past may be able to receive adult school credits for those classes.  The counselor will need to evaluate your transcript from your previous school.  A transcript lists the classes you took and the grades you received.

GED Preparation 

How do I receive a GED?

The GED refers both to the five tests that make up the GED Test’s battery and to the certificate that a person receives after passing the tests.  

While Azusa Adult School does not give the actual GED tests, we do have classes that prepare students to take the tests and can refer students to local GED test centers for testing.  

Students wishing to earn a GED must meet minimum skill proficiencies to enroll in the GED program.  Students must (1) complete a short skills assessment and then (2) schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor to determine needs, academic skill level, and appropriate placement.   

All students working toward a high school diploma or GED must be interviewed by a counselor prior to enrollment.  A transcript for any previously earned credits will be needed for evaluation.  The office can assist you in getting the transcripts you will need.  

Upon enrollment into the program, the GED student will follow these steps:

• Take pre-tests in the five subject areas which are social studies, science, reading, and mathematics
• Based on pretest scores, the student is assigned lessons in weak areas
• Once practice test scores are high enough, the student is referred to a local GED test center to take the GED Test battery.  
• A fee will be charged by the testing center
• After passing all of the five GED tests, the student is eligible to participate in the Azusa Adult School formal graduation.  We encourage our GED students to return for the June ceremony, wear the traditional cap and gown and participate with our high school graduates.

Which is better: a GED or a high school diploma?

The answer to this question usually depends on, first, what you need the diploma or GED certificate for, and, second, which would be faster to complete.

People usually need a GED certificate or high school diploma for a job and, for this purpose, most employers will accept either.  One major exception is some branches of the military require new recruits to have a high school diploma.

Decide what you need the GED or diploma for and then find out whether a diploma is required or whether either a diploma or a GED is acceptable.

Most students’ other major concern is how long it will take to earn a GED certificate or a high school diploma.  People often assume that a GED is faster—this is not always true.  It depends on how many high school credits students have when they enroll in adult school.  If a student enrolls with almost all of the credits needed to graduate, then a high school diploma will often be faster to complete.  On the other hand, if the student needs many credits, then a GED usually takes less time to complete.

A counselor needs to determine how many credits you have now, what classes you need, and how many more credits you require to graduate.  You may have more—or fewer—high school credits than you think.

There is one final consideration—completing the GED certificate can count toward high school credits so it is possible to earn both a GED and a high school diploma.  Some people earn both because they need the GED in the short run to get or keep a job, but they want to receive a high school diploma for any number of personal reasons.

Register Online Now

Please use Visa or Master Card only.

Click the following link to see the Schedule of Classes

Mail-in Registration
Click on the following link below and print our mail-in registration form. 

Registration Form

Mail your completed registration form and a check payable to Azusa Adult School to the following address:

Azusa Adult School
1134 S. Barranca Ave.
Glendora, CA 91740


Walk-in Registration
You may register at Azusa Adult School:

Phone: (626) 852-8400
Fax:     (626) 852-8407

Counseling Center - Evening
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 9:00 pm

Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Phone: (626) 852-8421
Fax:     (626) 963-6246

To find out more about our registration policies and special registration circumstances, just click here.