Upon graduating high school, you can expect to earn either a high school diploma or a high school certificate. While the term "degree" is generally reserved for college-level achievements, high school diplomas and certificates are still important achievements that can open doors to further education and career opportunities.
In the United States, there are different types of high school diplomas, such as the general diploma and the honors diploma, which require different levels of academic achievement. Additionally, some high school programs, such as Early College High School (ECHS) or Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), allow students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree, certification, or up to 60 college-credit hours toward their degree.
The state of Texas has developed the Foundation High School Program (FHSP) as the "default curriculum," which automatically applies to students unless they have parental and counselor approval to select an alternative in a Texas public school. The FHSP requires students to earn 22 to 26 course credits, including five end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. Students can also earn specialized endorsements in areas such as STEM, business and industry, public services, arts and humanities, and multidisciplinary studies.
In summary, upon graduating high school, you can expect to earn either a high school diploma or a high school certificate. While these are not considered degrees, they are still important achievements that can open doors to further education and career opportunities. The type of diploma or certificate you earn may depend on your academic achievement and the high school program you attend.
