Table of contents

Completing high school

Completing high school is the first step to getting the skills and background needed to help secure a positive future in post-secondary education or in the workforce.

For most jobs in Alberta, a minimum of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma is required. To be accepted into many post-secondary programs, specific high school or high school equivalent courses are required.

Schools across Alberta offer a number of different ways for students to complete high school.

Parents and students should discuss the best route to meeting graduation requirements with a high school counsellor or school administrator.

Diplomas and certificates

Alberta Education diplomas and certificates certify that the holder has successfully completed a prescribed program of instruction. Requirements can be found from this list below.

Diplomas and certificates are issued twice a year:

  • first semester is issued the last week of February
  • second semester is issued the last week of July

Having a diploma or certificate does not necessarily guarantee admission to a post-secondary institution. Students should check the websites of post-secondary institutions for admission requirements or for contact information to speak to an admissions counsellor.

Student information

Students enrolled in an Alberta high school can view their progress towards achieving an Alberta credential or request diploma reprints online from myPass.

Individuals can also request a reprint of their high school diploma by filling in the form below and sending it to Alberta Education via mail or email.

See Student information and high school transcripts for more information about MyPass and other available services.

Credits

Students are awarded credits for achieving at least 50% in high school courses.

After each semester or school year, students are awarded credits by Alberta Education on the recommendation of the principal. For more information on how to earn credits students should consult with their school guidance counsellor or school administrator. For more information on credits see the Guide to Education.

Credits Checklist

Students can view their progress towards achieving required credits for a credential in their myPass account.

Diploma as a mature student

A mature student, for Alberta High School Diploma purposes, is one who, as of September 1 of the current school year, is either:

  • 19 years of age or older, or
  • the holder of a previously awarded high school diploma from the province of Alberta, or an equivalent high school diploma from a jurisdiction acceptable to the Minister

Mature students are eligible to receive the Alberta High School Diploma or the Certificate of High School Achievement.

They must complete the specified requirements except for Physical Education 10 and CALM.

The Guide to Education outlines all the requirements for a mature student to receive an Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of High School Achievement.

Academic upgrading if you are 20 or older

Find out how and where you can finish high school or upgrade if you are 20 years of age or older.

Supports to complete high school

Alberta supports can help you access more than 30 programs and 120 services for people with disabilities, job seekers, parents and families, homelessness, financial assistance, abuse and family violence prevention.

Contact

Connect with the Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI) for student records, student enrolment and marks:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9337
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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