How to graduate high school with an accredited American High School Diploma from Acellus Academy

See Acellus Academy's website here: https://www.acellusacademy.com/

Reasons Why Acellus Academy (K-12) is My Preferred Choice for the American High School Diploma

• ND-FRIENDLY ONLINE PLATFORM

The online learning platform is very user-friendly for a neurodivergent child, it is not too busy or distracting, but provides enough structure, clear goals, predictability and "sameness". It provides a lot of autonomy and cultivates independent learning. The Gold Coins is a great feature to add some rewards and extra motivation.

• ENGAGING CONTENT FOR VISUAL LEARNERS

The lessons are pre-recorded videos that are presented by qualified teachers.

• ADMIN MADE EASY FOR MOM

All the learning material, quizzes, tests and exams are available in one place. Parents can generate reports of student grades and progress in Acellus Academy as needed. The parent can also request an official transcript of your child's progress and completed courses. The Parent Portal allows you to adjust courses, edit steps, add another student and track your child's learning progress.

• SPIKY PROFILE & ASYNCHRONOUS DEVELOPMENT

It is self-paced and allows for asynchronous development and a spiky profile. It is mastery-based and allows you to take subjects on different grade levels at the same time and meet your child where they are at, in terms of mastery and interest-led learning. NO need to hold your child back to stay on "grade level" and keep in step with their peers, let them dance to the beat of their own drum.

• PARENTS CAN MONITOR PROGRESS & ARE KEPT IN THE LOOP

The parent can check in and monitor their child's progress in real time and even observe their activity, without being intrusive.

• REMEDIAL SUPPORT

If your child needs more repetition to master a concept then they can rewatch a video or re-take a lesson to improve their score. Acellus Gold Edition includes a new feature where students can review videos from previous lessons. The option to re-take a lesson or re-watch a video is located under the Lesson List (Select the class >> ☰ >> Lesson List). You may scroll through your completed lessons and select the pencil icon to re-take a lesson assessment, or select the video icon to re-watch a video lesson.

• SPECIAL NEEDS & LEARNING DIFFERENCES

The parent can create a nurturing neuro-affirming environment at home to accommodate their child's support needs. Acellus core courses have been optimized for students with specialized learning needs. These courses strike a balance between adhering to rigorous standards-based curriculum while setting achievable goals for students with special needs.

• LEARNING GAPS & VECTORED INSTRUCTION

I personally love this feature and that it makes this platform adaptive and child-centered because learning gaps are identified and fixed on the go. When a foundational deficiency is diagnosed, Vectored Instruction goes as far back as necessary, even pulling from prior grade-levels if required, to fill in the missing foundational knowledge. Once the student has restored that requisite foundation, they resume the course where they left off, better prepared for success.

• WRITING TUTOR

We love that the writing tutor is mastery-based and actually shows you where and how to improve your writing and to effectively master creative and essay writing. It provides enough structure and prompts and it fosters a sense of achievement even for reluctant writers. The Acellus Writing Tutor® is designed to tutor students as they write, giving immediate feedback on grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and even writing style.

• GOAL SETTING & DAILY STEPS

You can set your own goals and adapt the amount of steps your child aims to complete in each subject by changing the setting on your parent app, this allows them to accelerate where needed, or slow down if they need more processing time. In Acellus Gold, students can now view their daily goals directly within each course. While studying in a course, the daily goal will be located under the Course Menu (☰) on the upper-right corner of the screen.

• HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PLAN & SUBJECT CHOICES

When you enroll for high school, you are guided to complete a High School Graduation Plan. This helps you map out what courses your student needs to take in order to graduate over the course of usually 4 years (grades 9 to 12). You can also import credits from Power Homeschool or other accredited American schools or service providers.

• AFFORDABLE QUALITY

It is affordable at only $79 pm for the Scholarship option of their Basic Plan and this include all the learning material, exams and tutor support.

• MATRIC EXEMPTION (RECOGNIZED BY SAQA AND USAf)

Acellus Academy is recognized by SAQA as an accredited school if you want to do a SAQA conversion at the end of grade 12. It is also accepted by USAf as an American High School Graduation Diploma (keep in mind you need to meet all USAf's requirements for matric exemption and that they will consider applications for exemption on a case-by-case basis).

Acellus Academy (K - 12) at a Glance

For South African families exploring flexible homeschooling options, Acellus Academy offers a full online curriculum from Kindergarten to grade 12 with a WASC-accredited, self-paced online program leading to an American High School Diploma as a school leaving certificate. Learners can enroll and study year-round, access video-based and adaptive lessons, revisit difficult concepts, and choose from a broad range of core, elective, AP and STEM courses, while parents monitor progress through a dedicated parent portal.

Basic tuition is listed as US $249 per month, with the Roger Billings Scholarship reducing the fee to US $79 per student per month for eligible learners. Families should also budget for possible graduation fees, international shipping and currency-conversion costs—and confirm current prices, scholarship requirements and program details directly with Acellus Academy before enrolling.

See tuition options here: https://www.acellusacademy.com/enrollment-pathways/

Planning for Graduation: a Step-by-Step Approach (gr. 9-12)

Graduation is a destination, not a race. For neurodivergent, gifted and twice-exceptional learners, a supportive graduation plan should provide direction without assuming that development, productivity or support needs will follow a straight line.

Step 1: Understand Acellus Academy's Graduation Requirements

In order to earn a high school diploma and graduate from Acellus Academy, a student must meet the following criteria:

1. Earn a total of 24 high school credits (Standard Pathway) or 26 high school credits (Honors Pathway + 3.0 GPA), including the minimum requirements in each subject area.

2. Complete a minimum of six credits through Acellus Academy, including one credit in each of the four core subject areas (math, science, language arts, and social studies) and two elective credits.

3. Be enrolled and actively engaged in meaningful study in Acellus Academy for a minimum of one year.

4. Be at least 16 years of age.

5. Meet all outstanding financial obligations with Acellus Academy.

The one-year enrolment requirement is important for families considering an accelerated pathway: even when a gifted learner can complete coursework quickly, graduation is not based on credits alone.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the American high school years are from grade 9 to 12. It usually takes 4 years to complete all the high school credits required. Even if you choose only to enroll with Acellus Academy for grade 12, your child still needs to have completed the other credits (gr. 9-11) through an accredited American online school or umbrella school. Check the transfer of credits carefully to ensure that Acellus Academy will accept those credits.

Step 2: Choose the Pathway that Supports the Learner’s Goals for Tertiary Education & their Career Path

Acellus Academy offers two diploma pathways:

• The Standard High School Diploma requires 24 credits and is presented as preparation for community college or entering the workforce.

• Graduation with Honors requires 26 credits and a minimum GPA of 3.0 and is intended for learners considering competitive four-year colleges and universities. Pick this one if your child is aiming to study a degree at a South African university.

One pathway is not a measure of a learner’s intelligence, worth or potential. The most appropriate choice depends on their future plans, career interests, capacity and support needs. A gifted or 2e learner may need intellectual challenge without needing the pressure of the Honors label in every area.

Subject area	Standard Pathway	Honors Pathway
English Language Arts	4 credits	4 credits
History/Social Studies	4 credits	4 credits
Mathematics	3 credits	4 credits
Science	3 credits	3 credits
Fine Arts	1 credit	1 credit
Language other than English	—	2 credits
Health and Physical Education	1 credit	1 credit
Practical Arts	1 credit	1 credit
Electives	7 credits	6 credits
Total	24 credits	26 credits

Step 3: Choose your Subjects

Neurodivergent learners often have asynchronous development: their abilities, interests and support needs may vary significantly across subjects. A learner might be ready for advanced mathematics or science while needing more time and scaffolding for writing, organization or language learning. This is not inconsistency or a lack of effort; it is a valid neurodivergent learning profile.

The graduation requirements provide fixed credit categories, but the available course options and generous elective allocation create room for an individualized graduation plan. Instead of applying blanket acceleration across every subject, families can offer greater challenge in areas of strength while choosing a sustainable pace and appropriate support elsewhere. Electives can also be used to develop a learner’s interests, identity and possible career direction.

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Standard High School Diploma

Acellus Academy’s standard high school graduation requirement aligns to the minimum credit requirements for graduation set by the State of Missouri. This option is recommended for students who plan to attend a college or directly enter the workforce after high school.

Core Requirements

English Language Arts (Core)

Credit Requirement: 4 credits

Course Options:

• English I (1.0)

• English II (1.0)

• English III (1.0)

• English IV – College Prep (1.0)

• English IV – British & World Literature (1.0)

• AP English Literature and Composition (1.0)

• AP English Language and Composition (1.0)

History/Social Studies (Core)

Credit Requirement: 4 credits

*Required:

• United States History (1.0)

• US Government and Civics (0.5)

• Personal Finance (0.5)

Additional Course Options:

• AP European History (1.0)

• AP Psychology (1.0)

• AP US History (1.0)

• AP U.S. Government & Politics (1.0)

• AP World History (1.0)

• Economics (1.0)

• Epic Moments in World History (1.0)

• Ethnic Studies (0.5)

• Psychology (1.0)

• World History (1.0)

• World Geography (1.0)

Mathematics (Core)

Credit Requirement: 3 credits

*Required:

• Algebra I (1.0)

Additional Course Options:

• Pre-Algebra (1.0)

• Business Math (1.0)

• Geometry (1.0)

• Algebra II (1.0)

• Trigonometry (0.5)

• College Exam Math Prep (0.5)

• Pre-Calculus (1.0)

• AP Calculus AB (1.0)

• AP Calculus BC (1.0)

• AP Statistics (1.0)

Science (Core)

Credit Requirement: 3 credits

Course Options:

• Intro to Physics & Chemistry (1.0)

• Environmental Science (1.0)

• Biology (1.0)

• General Chemistry (1.0)

• General Physics (1.0) or Honors Physics (1.0)

• AP Biology (1.0)

• AP Chemistry (1.0)

• AP Environmental Science (1.0)

• AP Physics I (1.0)

Non-Core Requirements

Fine Arts

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

Course Options:

• Music Appreciation (1.0)

• AP Music Theory (1.0)

• AP Drawing (1.0)

• Collaborative Theatre (1.0)

Health & Physical Education

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

• High School Health (1.0)

• Physical Education (1.0)

Practical Arts

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

Course Options:

• AP Computer Science Principles (1.0)

• AP Computer Science A (1.0)

• Business Management (1.0)

• Electrical Technology I (1.0)

• Electrical Technology II (1.0)

• HVAC-R I (1.0)

• HVAC-R II (1.0)

• Info Management I (1.0)

• Info Management II (1.0)

• Medical Terminology (1.0)

• Plumbing Technology I (1.0)

• Plumbing Technology II (1.0)

• Intro to Accounting (1.0)

• Accounting I (1.0)

• Accounting II (1.0)

• Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance (1.0)

• Investigating Careers (1.0)

• College & Career Readiness (1.0)

• Instructional Standards in Education and Training (1.0)

• Principles of Agriculture (1.0)

• Agriculture I (1.0)

• Agriculture II (1.0)

• Introduction to Java (1.0)

• STEM 1: Intro to Coding (1.0)

• STEM 2: Javascript (1.0)

• STEM 3: Electronics & Coding (1.0)

• Fundamentals of Design (1.0)

Electives

Credit Requirement: 7 credits

High school courses from any subject area may be used to fulfill the electives requirement, including foreign languages.

Total: 24.0 Credits

High School Graduation with Honors

Acellus Academy’s High School Graduation with Honors Pathway is recommended for students who plan to apply to competitive four-year colleges and universities with stringent admissions requirements.

Core Requirements

English Language Arts (Core)

Credit Requirement: 4 credits

Course Options:

• English I (1.0)

• English II (1.0)

• English III (1.0)

• English IV – College Prep (1.0)

• English IV – British & World Literature (1.0)

• AP English Literature and Composition (1.0)

• AP English Language and Composition (1.0)

  
  

History/Social Studies (Core)

Credit Requirement: 4 credits

*Required:

• United States History (1.0)

• US Government and Civics (0.5)

• Personal Finance (0.5)

Additional Course Options:

• AP European History (1.0)

• AP Psychology (1.0)

• AP US History (1.0)

• AP U.S. Government & Politics (1.0)

• AP World History (1.0)

• Economics (1.0)

• Epic Moments in World History (1.0)

• Ethnic Studies (0.5)

• Psychology (1.0)

• World History (1.0)

• World Geography (1.0)

  
  

Mathematics (Core)

Credit Requirement: 4 credits

*Required:

• Algebra I (1.0)

Additional Course Options:

• Geometry (1.0)

• Algebra II (1.0)

• Trigonometry (0.5)

• College Exam Math Prep (0.5)

• Pre-Calculus (1.0)

• AP Calculus AB (1.0)

• AP Calculus BC (1.0)

• AP Statistics (1.0)

  
  

Science (Core)

Credit Requirement: 3 credits

Course Options:

• Intro to Physics & Chemistry (1.0)

• Biology (1.0)

• General Chemistry (1.0)

• General Physics (1.0) or Honors Physics (1.0)

• Environmental Science (1.0)

• AP Biology (1.0)

• AP Chemistry (1.0)

• AP Environmental Science (1.0)

• AP Physics I (1.0)

Honors or AP level courses are recommended for this pathway.

Non-Core Requirements

Fine Arts

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

Course Options:

• Music Appreciation (1.0)

• AP Music Theory (1.0)

• AP Drawing (1.0)

• Collaborative Theatre (1.0)

Language other than English

Credit Requirement: 2 credit

Course Options:

• ASL I (1.0)

• ASL II (1.0)

• French I (1.0)

• French II (1.0)

• German I (1.0)

• German II (1.0)

• Spanish I (1.0)

• Spanish II (1.0)

• Spanish III (1.0)

• Discover Spanish (1.0)

• Discover Portuguese (1.0)

Two credit units of a single foreign language are strongly recommended.

Health & Physical Education

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

• High School Health (1.0)

• Physical Education (1.0)

Practical Arts

Credit Requirement: 1 credit

Course Options:

• AP Computer Science Principles (1.0)

• AP Computer Science A (1.0)

• Business Management (1.0)

• Electrical Technology I (1.0)

• Electrical Technology II (1.0)

• HVAC-R I (1.0)

• HVAC-R II (1.0)

• Info Management I (1.0)

• Info Management II (1.0)

• Medical Terminology (1.0)

• Plumbing Technology I (1.0)

• Plumbing Technology II (1.0)

• Intro to Accounting (1.0)

• Accounting I (1.0)

• Accounting II (1.0)

• Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance (1.0)

• Investigating Careers (1.0)

• College & Career Readiness (1.0)

• Instructional Standards in Education and Training (1.0)

• Principles of Agriculture (1.0)

• Agriculture I (1.0)

• Agriculture II (1.0)

• Introduction to Java (1.0)

• STEM 1: Intro to Coding (1.0)

• STEM 2: Javascript (1.0)

• STEM 3: Electronics & Coding (1.0)

• Fundamentals of Design (1.0)

  
  

Electives

Credit Requirement: 6 credits

High school courses from any subject area may be used to fulfill the electives requirement, including foreign languages.

Total: 26.0 Credits 

Note: To qualify for graduation with honors, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

If you need help to choose the right subjects, you are welcome to book a session with me. Find out more about this support service here.

Step 4: Review transferred credits early

Credits from an accredited high school may be considered for transfer, but an official transcript is required. The graduation policy states that only courses with a grade of C-minus or higher are eligible, and Acellus Academy retains the right to decline transferred credits. At the time of writing, a once-off US $50 import fee is listed. Credits from Power Homeschool are accepted if all the steps and Special Lessons are completed (this credit transfer is free).

Ask for a formal credit review before building the final Graduation Plan. This can help prevent unnecessary repetition while ensuring that the learner still completes Acellus Academy’s minimum credit, subject and Grade 12 requirements.

✔ Credits earned while attending another high school may be transferable.

✔ An official transcript will be required for the transfer of credits.

✔ Only credits with a grade of C- or greater (or 70% and above) are eligible for transfer.

✔ Acellus Academy reserves the right to decline the transfer of credit(s).

✔ As a minimum, students must complete the entire 12th grade through Acellus Academy (minimum of 6 credits).

Step 5: Create a flexible Graduation Plan for fluctuating capacity

Functioning is not fixed. A learner’s attention, energy, processing speed, executive functioning, sensory and emotional regulation can fluctuate between subjects, across seasons and even from one day to the next. A neuro-affirming graduation plan therefore works best as a flexible roadmap rather than a rigid productivity schedule.

Build in breathing room for slower periods, recovery and unexpected changes. Allow acceleration when it is joyful and sustainable, but avoid turning a learner’s ability to work quickly into a permanent expectation. Progress can include deepening understanding, revisiting a concept, developing self-advocacy or learning how to recognize the need for rest— not only accumulating credits.

See this example of a Graduation Plan:

Step 6: Work backwards from life after school

Acellus Academy's graduation requirements determine whether a learner can receive an American High School Diploma; they do not automatically guarantee admission to a particular university, tertiary program or professional pathway. Families should investigate the entry requirements of prospective institutions before finalizing subject choices.

This is particularly important for South African families who may later require a foreign-qualification evaluation, matriculation exemption or specific university subjects. Check the latest requirements directly with the relevant authorities and intended institutions, and choose courses that preserve the learner’s realistic future options without overloading them unnecessarily.

Keep USAf's requirements in mind for South African matric exemption:

Step 7: Apply for graduation

Once all requirements have been completed, a parent can submit the High School Graduation Application through Progress Toward Graduation in the Parent Portal. The official page currently lists a US $100 graduation application fee, which must be paid before the diploma can be issued. Fees and policies may change, so confirm them directly with Acellus Academy.

Graduates may also attend the commencement ceremony in Kansas City, but participation is entirely optional. A learner does not need to attend the ceremony to graduate. Families can celebrate this milestone in whichever way feels accessible, meaningful and authentic to the learner.

UNITS OF CREDIT

Graduation from Acellus Academy’s high school is achieved through the earning of credits as specified in this policy. Credits for all high school courses and for graduation requirements will be awarded on a “unit of credit” basis. One “1.0 unit of credit” is equal to a year of instruction within a course. Some courses are offered to students with half credit, “0.5 unit of credit”, is equal to a semester or half a year of instruction within a course.

Learning Differences / 2e / Gifted Students

https://www.acellusacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-07-12-Excerpt-3.mp4

Acellus Academy’s approach to specialized learning needs recognizes that children learn in different ways and may need different amounts of time, repetition and support. Its Gold Edition breaks complex subjects into manageable concepts delivered through concise video lessons, allowing learners to focus on one idea at a time before checking their understanding. Learners can continue when they are ready or receive targeted support through Vectored Instruction when a concept needs further exploration.

This flexibility can be especially valuable for neurodivergent, gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners, whose development is often asynchronous and whose spiky profiles may include advanced ability in some areas alongside greater support needs, challenges with executive functioning and even learning differences like dyslexia or dyscalculia in others.

Rather than expecting a child to perform at one fixed “grade level,” the self-paced format allows them to accelerate in areas of strength while slowing down, revisiting lessons or receiving additional scaffolding where needed. It also makes space for the reality that functioning is not fixed: attention, processing speed, executive functioning, energy and emotional regulation may fluctuate from one day or subject to the next.

By adapting the pace and level of learning, families can respond to the child in front of them that day—supporting both their strengths and their needs without treating either as a contradiction.

Learn more about the American High School Diploma for South African homeschoolers here: https://www.eunoiahomeschool.com/post/homeschooling-towards-the-american-high-school-diploma-in-south-africa

For a more detailed explanation of Homeschooling with the US Curriculum, see this Parent Guide to equip and empower you:

Homeschooling with the US Curriculum: AHSD & GED

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