Other Diplomas & Certificates

General Achievement Adult High School Diploma (GAAHSD) Program

This diploma is intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in public school or not otherwise meeting the compulsory school attendance requirements set forth in the Code of Virginia.

Refer to Adult Secondary Completion Options: General Achievement Adult High School Diploma (GAAHSD) Program for requirements.

General Educational Development Certificates (GED)

Refer to Regulations Governing General Education Development Certificates (8 VAC 20-360-10, et. seq.)

See General Educational Development (GED) Certificate for requirements.

Certificate of Program Completion

Available to students who complete prescribed programs of studies defined by a local school board but who do not qualify for diplomas.

Posthumous Diploma Requests

HB 1514 passed by the 2023 General Assembly amended § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia as follows:  

Provide for the waiver of certain graduation requirements and the subsequent award of a high school diploma (i) upon the Board's initiative or, (ii) at the request of a local school board, or (iii) upon the request of the parent of any high school senior who died in good standing prior to graduation during the student's senior year. Such waivers shall be granted only for good cause and shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Schools who wish to request a posthumous diploma for a student who passed away during their senior year must complete the Posthumous Diploma Request Form. 

Good Cause Waiver

Per 8VAC20-131-420(B), local school boards may seek a waiver of certain graduation requirements on a case-by-case basis by submitting a request to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on behalf of the Board, which explains what requirement(s) are requested to be waived and the justification for each requirement(s) requested for waiver. The justification shall include a statement of the efforts made by the local school board to assist the student to meet the requirement(s) prior to requesting the waiver. Waiver requests may not be submitted more than 90 days prior to the date the student is expected to graduate and, if possible, at least 15 days prior to graduation. 

The local superintendent shall notify the Superintendent of Public Instruction as soon as feasible when there is a situation that could potentially result in a request for a waiver, to explore options that might be available to permit the student to graduate without needing a waiver. The Superintendent may approve the waiver on behalf of the Board and report to the Board waivers that have been granted or denied. 

For the purposes of this provision, good cause may include, but not be limited to: 

• a catastrophic, sudden, or debilitating illness or injury suffered by the student late in his high school career, or
• a sudden, unexpected requirement or event that causes the family to relocate to another state where the student is unable to complete graduation requirements either in Virginia or the receiving state.   

Requirements that have been approved for a waiver shall be noted on the student’s official academic record (transcript). In no event shall a waiver be granted that would substantially reduce or diminish the integrity of the diplomas approved by the Board of Education.

Good Cause Wavier Request Form