Skipping the Last Year of High School in the USA Through Proficiency Tests

[bjcheung77]

Basically, In brief... That was what I was going to recommend, but was looking for something in addition to this high school diploma... Basically, Penn Foster is NA (DEAC) plus, they have some classes that are ACE recommended for credit. You can transfer in 75% of the high school diploma, associates, bachelors. It really depends on how you play your cards with your budget and how you want to get things done...

Essentially, you do 90 credits from Sophia.org, 15 ACE credits from Penn Foster, that's 105 credits towards Excelsior, as long as the classes don't duplicate each other. If you want the associates degree from Penn Foster, they only require 15 credits, again, you use those 90 credits plus the 15 ACE credits used for high school to do the HS/Associates combo for the cost of $1K USD if you pay in full, or $1500 if you don't!

[origamishuttle]

If you want the associates degree from Penn Foster, they only require 15 credits, again, you use those 90 credits plus the 15 ACE credits used for high school to do the HS/Associates combo for the cost of $1K USD if you pay in full, or $1500 if you don't!

That's really clever! I completed the high school diploma decades ago when it was ICS, but none of the colleges I wanted to attend would recognize it. So I didn't go to college; I went for my GED and started my IT career shortly thereafter.

[DragonDF]

Ouch, with that budget, you're not going very far...  As I think Franklin is going to be more than a few grand USD, the cheapest online high school charges at least $1500 for the HS diploma... Having said that, there are always workaround options!  My suggestion right now is to get all the ACE/NCCRS credits ready to be transferred into Excelsior or TESU Computer Science degree, you can start with Sophia.org for example, and get all the general education, plus electives, then Study.com etc, until you have at least 90 credits.  You'll use those as dual enrollment credit classes to complete the HS diploma entirely and finish off the degree requirements at either EU or TESU, depending on your choice.

This is exactly what I am planning and said to him. But I need to choose the University option first to be able to study exactly the courses that will be accepted by the specific University. Do you think, because of the age, the best option is TESU or Excelsior for an international student in Computer Science?
 
He needs (like me) to get an English Proficiency Test (Duolingo is the cheapest one) to be accepted by a University in the USA. 

The problem is to spend (lose) time studying for the last year of 'high school' here despite focusing on what really matters. For this reason, I am trying to 'hack' this last year online. 

You'll use those as dual enrollment credit classes to complete the HS diploma entirely and finish off the degree requirements at either EU or TESU, depending on your choice.

About this phrase. 
Do you mean it is possible to do it for how much money? HS diploma (last year)?
Is it possible to finish it only with Sophia? Saylor?
If he studies 12h or 14h / day. How fast can he complete the last year of High School level?

---

Not in my state because you need to meet a specific number of credits for various subjects. There aren't exams to test out of the courses. Some high schools have programs with community colleges where you earn college credit for your courses as you're taking English your senior year through the community college at your high school. There are subjects such as PE (physical education aka gym) where you need 4 years of credit in order to be eligible to graduate so skipping a year of high school would mean you're taking the class twice one year if that's even possible as it's not possible at every high school.

If I understood it right, while in Brazil there is a 'second degree' of 3 years, in the USA the 'high school' (second degree) starts in our 9th year and takes 4 years. It is the same number of years but with a bit nomenclature difference in the high school x second degree. 
Especially because in the USA you have a lot of elective courses and in Brazil, the Prussian school is more Traditional: same for everyone. You can not choose any courses.

He is in the LAST YEAR of the high school. Just one year to finish it. It would be very nice if he could do a proficiency test (for this last year) in the USA. 
At the same time he is studying Bachelor's Degree in Systems Analysis and Development at a University here.

[ss20ts]

In high school nothing is referred to as a degree in the US. High school requirements are very specific in the US and every single state is different in the requirements. I didn't have electives until my senior year and then I had 3 of them. I didn't get to choose any courses until my senior year and I was only allowed to pick 3 of the 8. There aren't any proficiency tests for high school in the US. There's the GED but you don't get a high school diploma. You get a GED certificate which isn't exactly the same and tends to be looked down upon for some reason here. It would be odd for a 16 year old to earn their GED. He would have to take the exams here in the US.

[DragonDF]

Well, normally people are able to apply for PLAR credit where they can get credit for work/volunteer experience as well as for if a student has completed post-secondary courses but as I understand, that is not an option for your son.

Penn Foster High School is a regionally-accredited self-paced highschool and I really recommend it. I mean, I did the Canadian version but still, you can read tons of stories on Reddit of users finishing super fast.

https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school

The school seems within your budget too.

I'd like to thank you very much for your explanation and suggestion. 
I read about it:


https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school  <-- link you mentioned

ONLINE
Access courses 24/7 on your computer, tablet, or mobile devices

ACCREDITED
Nationally accredited by the DEAC and Cognia

SELF-PACED
Learn on your own time, around your schedule

About diploma: https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school/diploma

I could not understand the prices very well. 

SAVE UP TO $520 ENDS 2/11/2025

COST OF PROGRAM
$1,049
$1,569 Save $520

If the total (4 years) program costs $1,049, will 1 year cost $262 ?

• Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Cognia, the world leader in providing improvement and accreditation services to education providers of all types in their pursuit of excellence in serving students.
  
  
• Transfer eligible credits from your previous high school to save time and money when earning your diploma with Penn Foster.
  
  
• Earning a high school diploma can prepare students to enter the workforce, college, or the military.
  
  
• Our high school diploma classes cover standard subjects like English and math, as well as offering five elective courses of your choice such as American Literature, Algebra, or career-preparation courses like Auto Repair and Vet Assistant.
  
  
• Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
  

It looks like very good. I do not know what regionally accredited and nationally accredited means at a high school level, but for me, it looks something good. 

Maybe my son can transfer the eligible credits he did in Brazil and finish the last year in 3 months. Do you think this is possible? I could not understand what is eligible credits in the High School context. 

I liked the 'a pace that works for you' option. 

For him, it will be much better to get a High School Diploma in the USA than in Brazil as he want to start a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in the USA. 

I'll send them an e-mail message asking a few questions. 

High School Tuition

Penn Foster High School offers affordable tuition payment plans so you can graduate no matter your budget. Even better, if you've completed credits at a previous school, you may be able to transfer them and save money on your program!


Total Cost

The total cost of tuition for your online Penn Foster High School Diploma Program covers the cost of your studies and any digital textbooks and study materials included in your program.2

The difference between the payment options is the dollar amount the credit will cost you for selecting a monthly payment plan versus paying in full.

Choose from one of our customized payment options below or call for details on our first payment match program.3 You can get started today.

Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.

...

• Education - 8th Grade
  
  • Age 13-17:
    • Unfortunately, minors would need to be directed back to their school districts as we are unable to enroll a minor who has not successfully completed 8th grade.
      
  • [size=undefined]Age 18 and older:[/size]
    • Prospective students who are over the age of 18 may be able to take a standardized test such as the TABE, HiSET, GED, or California Achievement Test (CAT) (With Premium Scoring) and use the results to satisfy the 8th grade completion requirement.
      
    • Prospective students are responsible for finding a location to take the test and any costs that may be associated with it.
      
    • Prospective students do not necessarily have to "pass" one of these tests to satisfy the requirements, as their score can be reviewed by our education team to determine if they have performed at an 8th grade level.
      

What does it mean as "minor"?

Transfer Credits

Penn Foster reduces tuition by $20 for each high school course transferred.

To receive transfer credits, an official transcript from an accredited institution recognized by Penn Foster must be submitted for evaluation. Transfer credits will be awarded for comparable high school subjects where a full credit has been earned. Since high school programs vary, only an evaluation by Penn Foster will determine the actual number of transfer credits to be awarded. Penn Foster also accepts transfer credits from a GED. The maximum number of transfer credits allowed is 15. Upon our acceptance of your transfer credits, an adjustment to your financial obligation will be made.

15 of __ ? How many credits?

How much does online high school cost?

Tuition for Penn Foster can vary based on credits an individual may have to transfer into the program. To find the most current pricing details, see the top of this page. School tuition cost per month can be as low as $55. With affordable monthly payment options, students can pay toward their tuition while completing their coursework with 0% interest. We also offer several payment plans so you can choose the one that works best for you.

...


Can I use tuition assistance benefits to enroll in Penn Foster High School?
Yes, you are able to use your company’s tuition assistance benefits to enroll in any of Penn Foster’s programs, including online high school, provided it is approved by your employer. We are able to process payments directly from your employer, or provide you with a price quote if you need it to get reimbursed. For more information or to enroll using your tuition assistance benefit, contact us at 800-737-8593.
Why is the high school diploma so inexpensive?
Because Penn Foster doesn’t have a physical campus, we are able to save money on operation costs and pass those savings onto our students. Penn Foster believes every student has a right to get an education and that finances should not be a barrier for our students while working towards an accredited online high school diploma.

---

Is Penn Foster High School accredited?

There are two types of accreditation that a school can earn: regional and national. Regional accreditation is awarded through one of seven regional accrediting bodies in the United States. National accreditation is awarded by independent accrediting bodies that often focus on career-specific education or vocational schools, as well as online schools and colleges.
 
Penn Foster High School is both regionally and nationally accredited, ensuring that the diploma you earn online is legitimate. We’re regionally accredited through the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The high school program also has national accreditation through Cognia. Cognia is the world leader in providing improvement and accreditation services to schools and emphasizes constantly working to improve the student experience.
 
Accreditation is renewed on a regular basis and involves reviewing a school’s courses and materials to make sure students receive the best education possible.

About colleges that accept Penn Foster diploma:

https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school/d...stitutions

I could not see TESU or Excelsior. I'll need to ask them if they accept this diploma. 


Thank you again. This can be a good solution for my son's problem to advance this Computer Science degree.

---

UPDATING:

TOTAL: 22 courses. 17 core courses and 5 elective courses.
https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school/d...curriculum

If it is possible to transfer 15 credits, he will only need to finish 7 courses.

I liked this part very much:

Fast track: 6 months

22 COURSES -- 6 months
7 courses ---  X month

X = 1,9 month

Maybe he can finish it in 1 month if he studies 12 to 14h / day. 

I am excited about this option.

[DragonDF]

Basically, In brief... That was what I was going to recommend, but was looking for something in addition to this high school diploma... Basically, Penn Foster is NA (DEAC) plus, they have some classes that are ACE recommended for credit.  You can transfer in 75% of the high school diploma, associates, bachelors.  It really depends on how you play your cards with your budget and how you want to get things done...

Essentially, you do 90 credits from Sophia.org, 15 ACE credits from Penn Foster, that's 105 credits towards Excelsior, as long as the classes don't duplicate each other.  If you want the associates degree from Penn Foster, they only require 15 credits, again, you use those 90 credits plus the 15 ACE credits used for high school to do the HS/Associates combo for the cost of $1K USD if you pay in full, or $1500 if you don't!

I do not know if you read my last posts. But it would be great if he could finish High School in the USA in a short time or if it takes more time (2 or 3 months) to get credits to use in his future University. 

In this option, he'll need to choose between TESU x Excelsior x other universities to finish fast and cheaply.

You suggested Excelsior because it accepts +15 ACE credits from Penn Foster (105 total) but I could not see in its website about prices. The cost to finish the Computer Science Bachelor's degree. 

The U$ 1k cost of the Penn Foster's Associate degree is to the combo? HS (last year + Associates) for U$ 1K? Or he will need to pay U$ __ to finish High School and then pay U$ 1k to finish Associates?

Do you have experience with them?

And the High School diploma the Penn Foster will be accepted by TESU or Excelsior? I ask because they are not in its link list as I wrote before.


---

About my son and his future options:


Most important and urgent:

• Finish high school (last year), preferably as quickly as possible and online and in the USA.
  
• Decide which university he will transfer the credits to. Because of his age (16y) UMPI is not an option. So, at this moment he will be between Excelsior and TESU for 1 term.
  

UMPI does not have a Bachelor's in Computer Science yet and does not admit students under 20 years old into the YOURPACE program.

TESU is online but has a residential waiver cost that makes it expensive for international students.

Excelsior: I haven't been able to see the prices yet, nor the extent to which credits can be transferred and if they are cheap to obtain.

Once the university is defined, he will start earning credits until he reaches 90 this next week.

When he reaches 90 credits, he will be able to enroll in the university and transfer the credits immediately. Try to finish in one term. He'll stop working here just to study for this term.

In the meantime, obtain an English Proficiency Certificate, preferably the cheapest one: Duolingo English Test.

Suggestions for universities that accept international students (except UoP) and offer online studies are welcome.

For now, TESU is the leading option for the Bachelor's in Computer Science course as I could not read about costs of Excelsior and if it asks for 'residential waiver', too.

Thanks in advance for the tips and experience in the USA. As mentioned, he has uncles in Canada but does not wish to study at a Canadian school or live in Canada in the future.

---

If you want the associates degree from Penn Foster, they only require 15 credits, again, you use those 90 credits plus the 15 ACE credits used for high school to do the HS/Associates combo for the cost of $1K USD if you pay in full, or $1500 if you don't!

That's really clever! I completed the high school diploma decades ago when it was ICS, but none of the colleges I wanted to attend would recognize it. So I didn't go to college; I went for my GED and started my IT career shortly thereafter.

This is the reason I love the TI area despite my big experience in some others. 
You do not need a degree or something else. You need to know the job.
Yes, certifications are welcome. 
But there are a lot of people without them earning very well. 

Good luck in your journey!

[DragonDF]

Update:

E-mail message received today from Excelsior (it is not the cheapest option but I sent an e-mail asking about the possibility) - with adaptations:

For students to be eligible for our degree programs, they must hold a US High School Diploma, GED or equivalent. 

Once your son has a US High School diploma, GED or equivalent, he will be eligible to pursue our Bachelors of Science in Computer Science program.

I am waiting reply from TESU (Bachelor's in Computer Science) and Penn Foster (finish High School and get the Diploma).

Sophia Learning replied yesterday saying it has credits for both Schools.


As @bjcheung77 wrote: the best option to my son, specially about his age, is TESU at this moment.

I suggested him to start to study Sophia's courses for free and pay for 1 month to finish all courses he needs to GET 90 credits to transfer to TESU. First he can do Saylor and other cheap options.


The most important thing at this moment is to finish HIGH SCHOOL asap.

[bjcheung77]

Yes, 15 credits out of 21 credits for HS can be transferred in, 5 courses of 1 credit and 2 classes of half a credit that can't be transferred in... In order to complete the plan I have for HS/Associates, you need to create a spreadsheet of the HS/early college requirements and the AS requirements. Figure out what 5 ACE can be done for the residency credits, the two half credit classes can't be transferred into the AS. When you have that spreadsheet, link us to that viewable (not editable) file on your Google or One drive and we can make comments... If you don't know what to do, just create the one spreadsheet with the requirements and we can comment on recommendations.

[DragonDF]

Yes, 15 credits out of 21 credits for HS can be transferred in, 5 courses of 1 credit and 2 classes of half a credit that can't be transferred in... In order to complete the plan I have for HS/Associates, you need to create a spreadsheet of the HS/early college requirements and the AS requirements.  Figure out what 5 ACE can be done for the residency credits, the two half credit classes can't be transferred into the AS.  When you have that spreadsheet, link us to that viewable (not editable) file on your Google or One drive and we can make comments...  If you don't know what to do, just create the one spreadsheet with the requirements and we can comment on recommendations.

I appreciate your interest in helping during my son's journey.

I'll try to create it in the next 2 days after I know what he will need to do again and what he can transcript + evaluate from his actual High School in Brazil (as I wrote before, this is the last year of his High School).
Penn Foster sent something similar to an automatic e-mail message that didn't reply to what I asked. Maybe an IA bot. I replied again and I hope they can reply this time with a real person.

Is it possible for my son to start to make credits to finish his HS as fast as possible? Where can he get this kind of credit? Sophia Learning? Are they cheaper than undergraduate degree credits?

I could not see anything on Penn Foster's website about the English proficiency tests it accepts. Does anyone know?

The Admissions Process
At Penn Foster, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to receive a quality, affordable education. That’s why we created an open admissions policy that allows students to enroll in our online college, career school, or online high school at any time, from anywhere, and begin their lessons immediately. We have minimal admissions requirements, so there’s no waiting and no anxiety. Enrolling in a Penn Foster program is fast and easy. Get started on building a better future today. Call an Admissions Specialist today. 1-800-275-4410 or enroll online.



Admissions Requirements

Penn Foster High School
To enroll in Penn Foster High School, students must have completed the 8th grade.

Penn Foster Career School
Some of our career diploma programs and online certificate programs require that students have a High School Diploma before they can enroll. Click here for program specific age and education requirements.

Penn Foster College
Penn Foster College students are required to have a High School Diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate to enroll in a Bachelor’s Degree, Associate Degree, Undergraduate Certificate. Some of our career diploma programs also require that students have a High School Diploma before they can enroll. Click here for program specific age and education requirement for Career Diploma programs.

My son is in the 4th year of the High School. The calendar year started today morning but he did not go to his college today and if everything happens fine with Penn Foster, he will not go anymore to another 'High School' level college in Brazil.

The idea of doing a High School + Associate Degree at the same time at Penn Foster looks very interesting. 

Maybe he can finish both before the final of 2025. I do not have any idea how fast he can finish each one.
If the credits can be used for TESU, better.


-------------------------------------------------------



TESU - Computer Science degree
TESU replied to my e-mail saying it accepts Penn Foster's High School Diploma. 

To learn how to apply as an International Student, click here; Apply as an International Student.  We accept TOEFL or IELTS for English proficiency requirements. 
 
We do accept High School Diplomas from Penn Foster and some Sophia credits. 
 
Our process is to first apply, then send transcripts, get an official evaluation, speak with an academic advisor and then register for courses.
...

The problem here: TESU does not accept the DUOLINGO English Test (U$ 59,00). Only the expensive ones (TOEFL and IELTS). It is not funny! I hope they can change this Policy next month.

The good info is that they accept High School Diplomas from Penn Foster.

https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/ba...cience.php

I could see that TESU offers Bachelor of Arts and not Bachelor of Science. Is this bad? I mean about the Market.

I asked Copilot and received this reply:

Both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science provide a solid foundation in computing, but they have some key differences:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science:

• Breadth and Flexibility: The BA offers a broader education, with a significant portion of coursework dedicated to humanities, social sciences, and other non-technical subjects.
  
• Interdisciplinary Focus: It allows students to combine computer science with another discipline, such as psychology, economics, or art.
  
• Less Technical Depth: The focus is less on technical depth and more on integrating computer science knowledge with other fields.
  
• Liberal Arts Perspective: Emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills from a liberal arts perspective.
  

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science:

• Technical Rigor: The BS is more technically rigorous, with a strong emphasis on mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering principles.
  
• Specialization: Allows for specialization in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and more.
  
• Research and Development: Prepares students for roles in research and development, as well as for advanced studies in computer science or related fields.
  
• Career-Oriented: Often geared towards preparing students for specific technical careers in the computing industry.
  

Tks!

[DragonDF]

Yes, 15 credits out of 21 credits for HS can be transferred in, 5 courses of 1 credit and 2 classes of half a credit that can't be transferred in... In order to complete the plan I have for HS/Associates, you need to create a spreadsheet of the HS/early college requirements and the AS requirements.  Figure out what 5 ACE can be done for the residency credits, the two half credit classes can't be transferred into the AS.  When you have that spreadsheet, link us to that viewable (not editable) file on your Google or One drive and we can make comments...  If you don't know what to do, just create the one spreadsheet with the requirements and we can comment on recommendations.

I started the spreadsheet with 3 focuses: Penn Foster (HS + Associate) and TESU Computer Science
HS + Associate may be done in 6 months. 

LINK

This is the first version. Please take a look and suggest what I need to adjust. 

When I have time I'll try to find more cheap credit options to the spreadsheet classes. 
I insert Saylor first for this reason. Second Sophia. 

Thank you!