What kind of diploma can my child get from a private school?

Private schools have the freedom to provide and set their own diploma criteria since they're not governed by the CDE. This ultimately means that unless a private school is accredited (which is very rare), they lack the authority to grant diplomas widely accepted by colleges, employers, the military, and other institutions. For kids with disabilities, it’s important to see whether your private school will offer the necessary support for your child to obtain a diploma.

Regardless, every private school student gets a chance for their diploma to be recognized by the CDE. But here's the catch: it depends on whether they pass either the California Proficiency Program or the High School Equivalency Test. So, if your child doesn't pass these exams, their private school diploma might not be widely accepted.

For more information, see our full article Private School 101.