Adult High School Completion

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Lake Washington Institute of Technology provides a number of educational pathways to help adults reach their goals. LWTech offers a wide variety of degree and certificates to prepare students for today's careers and tomorrow's opportunities, and also has many options for earning a high school diploma or equivalent.

Contact the Academic Support Center to make an appointment for an evaluation. At this appointment we can discuss your goals and previous educational coursework completion, then determine what classes you will need to take in order to complete your high school diploma. We will discuss options for taking these classes and any testing that is needed to get started.

If you have earned credit when you were in high school or through other accredited schools or colleges, you will want to contact them to obtain official copies. Official copies must be in a sealed envelope. It is a good idea to ask for a second copy so that you can have one for your records and one for the evaluation.

The HS+ Adult High School Completion Pathway combines high school equivalency test preparation with course content designed to meet the requirements for a high school diploma. Those choosing to enroll in the HS+ program can apply previously earned high school credits, can potentially earn credits for current and previous learning or work experience, and can choose from a variety of approaches to complete their unfinished coursework.

Students age 18 and older can take college level classes to complete missing graduation requirements that were not finished during high school. Students who are at least 19 and who have two or fewer classes remaining to complete graduation requirements may be eligible for a tuition waiver. 

Students who earn an associate degree (AAS or AAS-T) at LWTech may request the high school diploma from LWTech. Earn then ask, simple as that! The State of Washington has agreed that earning the associate degree signifies a student has mastered a body of knowledge at least equivalent to the requirements of a high school diploma.

 

Adult High School Completion FAQs

Generally, to apply for federal financial aid you need to have a high school diploma or high school equivalency like the GED®.

An evaluation of your transcripts must be done before we can tell you what courses you need to complete your diploma. The State of Washington sets the minimum requirements for the high school diploma. Required credits are spread among English, mathematics, history, government, art, science, physical education, occupational subjects, and elective. LWTech offers a wide variety of ways to complete these requirements.

No, you don't need a high school diploma. Students 18 or older are eligible for admission to LWTech.

Adult High School Diploma options begin at 18 years old and there is no upper limit to eligibility! 

Keep in mind, it is never too late to earn a high school diploma or equivalent! Many students who wish to achieve this important milestone are in their thirties, forties, and older.

Students age 16-21, are also eligible for a number of other high school options through enrollment in our Technical Academy or Running Start.

Students age 14-16 can also enroll for credit through our Underage Enrollment program.

Even if you didn't finish high school, you may have knowledge and skills comparable with a high school graduate. The GED®® (General Education Development) is one of several high school equivalency examinations that certify that the taker has high school level academic skills in key subject areas. The GED® exams will be:

  • Delivered in a computer-based format only.
  • Four tests that align with the national Common Core State Standards. These standards are designed to ensure every student is ready to compete and succeed; whether he or she goes on into higher education or pursues a better career in the global economy.

LWTech offers several ways for students to build their skills and test with confidence. We can provide you with practice tests or can register you for low cost test preparation classes.

There's no right answer to this question. Depending on your academic skills, how much time you have to complete your education, and what your goals are in life, any option can be the right one. Either version of the high school diploma requires effort, class attendance, and completion of credits. A high school equivalency examination such as the GED®®may be the fastest way for you to meet your goals, since it requires only that you pass a standardized test. However, institutions such as the military restrict the admission of GED® completers and may give preference to applicants holding a high school diploma. 

This will depend on the option that most aligned with your interests, goals, and personal circumstances. The cost per class can vary from $25 up to regular college tuition. We can discuss in more detail at your evaluation appointment. The testing fee for the GED®® is $30.00 for each of the four subjects ($120 total) and the re-testing fee is $36.00 per test.