How to Graduate From High School Early in Alberta

Looking for information on how to graduate high school early in Alberta? Here’s how you can do it.

Following these tips can result in meeting the diploma requirements half a year or even a full year early! (High school is typically a full 3 years)

Take advantage of Summer school
  • Each Summer, students can take one 5-credit OR two 3-credit courses OR Gym + CALM (which is 6 credits total)
  • GYM + CALM is a popular option so two blocks can be freed in the students’ schedule for other courses.
  • Another great option is classes the students want to get over with or don’t particularly enjoy or want to concentrate on fully without taking any other classes at the same time – best part – from start to finish, Summer school is only few weeks long!
Pass the first attempt

Be sure to study, complete assignments and choose classes at the students’ comfortable learning level

Fill the schedule

Don’t take any spares 

Ask your school about
  • Self-paced modules they may offer for students to do on their own time
  • LearnWrite courses or classes that can be taken during the school year 
  • Work credits
  • Apprenticeship programs

Current requirements to achieve a high school diploma in Alberta

A minimum of 100 credits in total which must include:

📚 15 credits in English (including English 30-1 or English 30-2)

📚 15 credits in Social Studies (including Social 30-1 or Social 30-2)

📚 10 credits in math (must complete at least one 20-level Math)

📚 3 credits in Physical Education 10

📚 3 credits in CALM (Career and Life Management)

📚 10 credits from option classes

📚 10 credits from any 30-level classes

And here’s a little fact you might not know: Some post secondary institutions don’t even require applicants to have a high school diploma! A lot of the time they are looking for completion of and / or a certain mark in specific classes only to be eligible for acceptance into their programs – this includes med school! 🩺 

MUST: sometime before your final year of high school starts, check the pre-requisites for your planned post secondary education before finalizing your high school class schedule

Always ask the student what they would prefer. Faster graduation is an amazing accomplishment, but it takes a lot of commitment and hard work. Some students would be overwhelmed with additional classes, may prefer to have full Summers off of school, or really want to graduate at the same time as their friends. Whatever path you decide is best for you, we wish you the best of luck and a lifetime of success!

 

Photo credit: University of Alberta | YouTube

Michelle Henderson
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