Homeschooling high school in Canada: diplomas, credits and university

Each province and territory sets its own graduation requirements, and diplomas are issued through the school system. Homeschooling families can teach high school content, but the parent can't issue a provincial diploma. Examples we confirmed:

• British Columbia: homeschoolers aren't eligible for a B.C. Certificate of Graduation (the Dogwood Diploma) through homeschooling alone.
• New Brunswick: students who complete their education through home schooling aren't eligible for a New Brunswick High School Diploma.
• Prince Edward Island: home-educated students don't receive a high school diploma unless they enter the public school system and graduate with the required credits.
• Ontario: the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is granted through schools inspected by the Ministry, so a teen who learns only at home won't receive one.

This doesn't mean homeschooled teens are stuck. It means you should decide early whether a diploma matters for your teen's plans — and, if it does, which route will get them there.

Most provinces have online or distance learning options that let homeschooled teens earn credits while still learning mostly at home.

• British Columbia: registered homeschoolers in Grades 10–12 can take online learning courses from a public or independent online school and stay registered as homeschoolers. Online learning (formerly called distributed learning) is offered by many school districts and independent schools.
• Ontario: homeschooled students under 18 can enrol with TVO's Independent Learning Centre (ILC). For 2026/27, the ILC asks for an updated homeschool letter each year — your board's response to your notice of intent — uploaded to the student's ILC portal.
• Alberta: families in a supervised home education program can talk with their supervising board about high school courses and credits, and some teens take selected courses through a school or online program.

Taking credit courses changes things — your teen is enrolled in those courses and must meet the course provider's requirements, deadlines and assessments.

Some families homeschool through Grade 8 or 9 and then enrol in a public or private high school, online school or alternative program for the final years. This is often the most straightforward path to a provincial diploma.

If you plan this, contact the school a term or two ahead. Ask how they'll place your teen, what records they'd like to see, and whether any credits can be granted for learning done at home. Policies vary by province and board, so keep good records of what your teen has studied in each subject.

Some families choose not to pursue a provincial diploma at all. Teens build a strong portfolio, a parent-prepared transcript and, often, some outside evidence such as online course grades, standardized tests or college courses.

Many Canadian universities have an admission pathway for homeschooled applicants. UBC's academic calendar, for example, says homeschooled applicants may be eligible for admission, will be considered individually and may be expected to present a recognized academic secondary school credential. The University of Ottawa has its own page for home-schooled applicants. Requirements vary by university and program, and competitive programs often want evidence in specific prerequisite subjects such as English, math and sciences.

Check admission pages for the programs your teen is interested in by Grade 9 or 10, so you can plan the subjects and evidence they'll need.

If you've heard that homeschoolers can "just do the GED," that's out of date. The GED program was discontinued in Canada in May 2024 after Pearson said it could no longer support the test, and it has been replaced by the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).

The CAEC has five tests — reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science — in English or French. It is designed as a high school equivalency for adults, and the rules on who can write it (including minimum age) are set by each province or territory. Completed GED credentials remain valid.

For most homeschooled teens, the CAEC is a fallback rather than a plan. Check your province's adult education office for current eligibility.

University isn't the only destination. Colleges, polytechnics and apprenticeship programs each set their own entry requirements, and many have routes for applicants without a standard diploma — such as mature student admission, academic upgrading or entrance assessments.

If your teen is interested in a trade or a college program, contact the admissions office early and ask what they accept from homeschooled applicants. Upgrading a few key courses (often English and math) can open many doors.

Whatever route you choose, good records matter more in high school than at any other stage. For each subject, keep:

• a course description (topics, main resources, approximate hours);
• samples of your teen's best work, including essays, projects and tests;
• any outside grades from online courses, tutors or exams;
• a simple transcript listing courses by year with a mark or completion note.

These records support university and college applications, scholarships, and any conversation with a school about placement or credits.