Homeschool Graduation

HEAV does not have academic (GPA, credits, or courses) or age requirements for participation in the graduation ceremony. Consistent with our belief that education is the primary responsibility of parents, we leave this decision in the hands of each family. As long as the graduate has been home educated for a minimum of one year under Virginia law §22.1-254.1 (homeschool statute), §22.1-254(B)(1) (religious exemption), or §22.1-254(A) (certified tutor provision), we invite your family to participate. If the participating graduate is from another state, he or she will have to have abided by the laws pertaining to home instruction in that state.

All graduates must register through HEAV and pay the registration fee (See Graduation Information).

Graduates are also required to provide regalia (these may be purchased through the HEAV supplier) and a high school diploma ($45 when purchased through HEAV).

HEAV conveniently provides the opportunity to purchase the required items as well as optional items. The costs associated with purchasing the additional items are thoroughly explained in the online registration form.

The diploma was designed especially for HEAV graduates and is printed in rich black ink on parchment. This certificate will be inscribed with the graduate’s name, date of graduation (June 8, 2024), and the parents’ names or family school name. It will also include the signatures of the graduate’s parents, the HEAV president, and the commencement speaker. An engraved seal and gold ribbon corners adorn the diploma, which is encased in a beautiful, padded navy case with matching seal.

Diplomas purchased through HEAV will be received onsite at the graduation ceremony.

The diplomas are inscribed as follows: “This certifies that has successfully completed the Course of Study for graduation prescribed by [name of parent/school] and is therefore awarded this High School Diploma given this [date] day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four [current year]”.

For the diploma wording in the section, “Has successfully completed the Course of Study for graduation prescribed by,” options include: “his parents,” the parents’ names, or family school name.

If you choose to use a family school name, the inscription must be the name that you have chosen for your homeschool. Copyrighted school names such as “The American School”, “Keystone High School”, or “Liberty University Online Academy” will not be inscribed.

Do not use prescribed by “the Commonwealth of Virginia.” The Commonwealth of Virginia does not prescribe a curriculum or course of study for Virginia homeschoolers. It is up to the parents to decide the course of study. This also incorrectly implies the Commonwealth of Virginia has authorized and approved your course of study.

You are not required to purchase a diploma through HEAV. Some families use a diploma from their local support group’s graduation ceremony or simply a computer-generated certificate. If you do not purchase a diploma through HEAV, you are required to bring something that resembles a diploma for the presentation during the ceremony. It should be flat, sturdy, and clearly labeled with the graduate’s full name. If you are supplying your own diploma and not purchasing one through HEAV, it must be turned in at graduation check-in.