What is a certificate of completion?

A certificate of completion is an alternative to a high school diploma. The CA Transition Alliance states that students working toward a certificate should “have significant cognitive impairments, take alternative assessments, and [be] unable to demonstrate subject matter competence in diploma track classes, even with differential proficiency standards, accommodations, and modifications to the courses and curriculum required to do so.” (They define a student with significant cognitive impairments as, “one who requires extensive individualized instruction and a substantial amount of supports in order to meet and progress with the state academic standards.”)

Students on the certificate path will attend graduation and participate in transition services from the school district. They will also have access to more elective courses and many (non-degree) community college classes. Students without a diploma may still attend community colleges and trade schools that don’t require diplomas, and transition to independent living classes available at inclusive colleges.

For more information on this topic, check out our article about obtaining a high school diploma.