Online GED Alternative: How Excel High School’s Adult High School Diploma Program Works
If you’re an adult thinking about finishing high school, you might be wondering:
- Where do I even begin?
- Do I need to take the GED?
- Do I have to go back to the classroom?
The truth is, you have options—and you don’t have to start over.
At Excel High School, we’ve designed a flexible, fully online diploma program just for adults. Whether you dropped out years ago or just need to finish a few remaining credits, our program is built to meet you where you are—and guide you step-by-step to the finish line.
This isn’t a test-prep course or a shortcut. It’s a real, accredited high school diploma you can earn on your schedule, from home, at your own pace. And the best part? The way it’s structured makes it feel manageable, even if school hasn’t been part of your life for a while.
If you’ve ever used Duolingo to learn a new language, you’ll already understand how our course system works—one module at a time, one subject at a time, progress that unlocks the next step. It’s learning made flexible, and finishing made possible.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how the program works—from what classes you’ll start with, to how your prior credits are evaluated, to how your diploma becomes one course closer every time you log in.
You might be thinking, “But I don’t have my old transcripts. Does that mean I have to start over?”
Not necessarily—but even if you do, you’re not alone. Many of our most successful graduates began again from the very first course—and completed their diplomas in just 6 to 12 months. The difference? They had a program designed for adults, with support and flexibility built in.
Think of It Like Duolingo—But for Your Diploma
If you’ve ever used Duolingo to learn a language, you already know how motivating small, structured progress can be. Excel High School’s Adult Diploma Program works in a similar way—just swap out vocabulary drills for full-credit high school courses.
Here’s how the structure compares:
- On Duolingo, you unlock new lessons as you complete earlier ones.
- At Excel, you unlock new courses within each subject as you finish the previous ones.
You don’t need to complete every subject all at once. Instead, you move through your diploma one subject at a time, one course at a time—with just the right amount of challenge to keep you moving forward.
- Start with Public Speaking as your first Language Arts course → unlock English 9
- Complete English 9 → unlock English 10
- The same pattern applies in math, science, social studies, and electives
This keeps the experience focused and rewarding. You’re never staring down 10 courses at once. You’re making progress, one module at a time—just like a language learner unlocking their next lesson. And just like Duolingo, you can log in, complete a short lesson or quiz, and walk away knowing you’re a little closer to your goal.
Getting Started: How Enrollment and Course Access Work
Once you enroll and make your first tuition payment, you’re officially on your way to finishing high school—without having to wait for transcripts or paperwork to be processed first. Right away, six starter courses will appear in your Learn Stage student portal. These cover core subject areas and give you a strong academic foundation while our team reviews any transcripts you submit.
Your initial courses typically include:
- Public Speaking (counts as a Language Arts credit for adults)
- Environmental Science
- U.S. Government
- Math Models
- Health & Fitness
- Media Arts
These aren’t “filler” courses—they’re fully accredited, credit-bearing classes that count toward your diploma. You can start working on any or all of them right away, depending on your schedule and comfort level. Even if you don’t have access to past transcripts, many students start with these six and go on to graduate successfully in less than a year. And if you do send in an official transcript? Our team will evaluate it and update your course queue so you’re not repeating anything you’ve already earned.
Transcript Evaluation: Get Credit for What You’ve Already Done
If you’ve completed any high school classes in the past—whether it was two years ago or twenty—Excel High School makes it easy to pick up where you left off.
Here’s how it works:
- You request an official transcript from your previous school(s).
- Our team audits your completed courses and credits.
- Any qualifying credits are transferred into your Excel High School record.
- Your personalized course queue is updated so you only take the classes you still need.
No guessing. No redoing classes you’ve already passed. Just a clear, efficient path toward your 21.5-credit graduation requirement.
💡 Don’t have access to your transcripts? That’s okay too. You can still complete your diploma by starting fresh—many students do, and still graduate in 6 to 12 months.
It’s all about meeting you where you are—and helping you move forward, not backward.
Course Structure: What Each Class Looks Like
Every course in Excel High School’s Adult Diploma Program is thoughtfully designed to be clear, manageable, and goal-oriented. Whether you’re taking English, math, science, or an elective, the structure is consistent—so once you complete one class, the next feels familiar.
Each course includes:
- Modules: Each course is broken into multiple modules, which are like chapters or units.
- Lessons: Inside each module, you’ll find short, focused lessons that include reading material, videos, activities, or guided practice.
- Quizzes: Many modules end with short quizzes to check your understanding.
- Writing Assignments: Especially in Language Arts, writing is key. Essays must be passed with at least 60% to earn course credit.
- Midterm and Final Exams: Each course includes a midterm and a final that must be completed to pass the class.
You’ll always know where you are and what’s next—just like progressing through levels in an app.
Didn’t pass a class? No problem. If you score below passing or struggle with key assignments, you’ll be enrolled in an “A/B” version of the course. These split the material into smaller parts to help you rebuild your understanding without starting from scratch.
Progression: Courses Unlock by Subject as You Advance
While you’ll begin with six foundational courses across different subjects, you’re not locked into a rigid one-at-a-time schedule. In fact, you can work on any of those six courses at the same time—whenever it fits your life.
What makes the Excel program feel achievable is how progress is structured:
- Courses unlock by subject as you go.
- Finish Public Speaking → unlock English 9 → complete that → unlock English 10.
- The same applies for math, science, social studies, and electives.
This means you’re not overwhelmed with a long list of courses all at once. Instead, you see steady, focused progress—like leveling up in a learning app, but with real, credit-bearing results.
You control your pace:
- Want to focus on one course at a time? Great.
- Prefer switching between a few subjects each week? That works too.
The system is designed to give you structure without rigidity—and to keep you moving forward, one subject at a time.
Support, Flexibility, and How Long It Takes to Graduate
Excel High School’s Adult Diploma Program is built for busy adults with real responsibilities. Whether you’re working full-time, raising a family, or both, the program is designed to flex around your life—not the other way around.
Study on your schedule
- The entire program is 100% online and self-paced—you log in when it works for you.
- No fixed class times. No group projects. No deadlines except your own.
Help when you need it
- While adult students don’t have assigned Success Coaches like teens, help is always available through the Help Desk in your Learn Stage portal.
- If you’re stuck on an assignment, confused about instructions, or unsure about your progress—you can submit a support request and get a real response from our academic team.
How long does it take to graduate?
- Most adult students finish in 6 to 12 months, depending on how many credits they need and how often they can study.
- The program allows up to 24 months to complete your diploma, giving you room to take breaks or slow down when life gets busy.
Whether you move quickly or take your time, you’re always making progress toward a real, accredited high school diploma—on your terms.
Why It Works: Designed for Real Life, Recognized in the Real World
What makes Excel High School’s Adult Diploma Program so effective isn’t just the structure—it’s the fact that it’s designed specifically for adult learners, but delivers the same high school diploma earned by any graduate of our school.
It’s a real diploma—not a GED, and not labeled “adult”
When you graduate, you’ll receive an accredited high school diploma issued by Excel High School, a Minnesota non-public school recognized under state law. The diploma does not say “Adult Program” or “Online Diploma”—because it isn’t a shortcut or substitute. It’s the real thing.
- Nationally recognized
- Regionally accredited
- Aligned with Minnesota state graduation standards
- Accepted by employers, colleges, and the military nationwide
We call it the “Adult Diploma Program” not because it’s a different kind of diploma, but because it’s built around the real-life needs of adults—flexible pacing, focused coursework, and credit for your past achievements.
You don’t need to “go back to high school.” You just need the right path forward—and that’s exactly what this program delivers.
You’re Closer Than You Think
You don’t need to settle for a GED. You don’t need to sit in a classroom. And you definitely don’t need to start from scratch—unless you choose to.
At Excel High School, you can earn a real, accredited high school diploma in a way that fits your life. With flexible scheduling, credit for past coursework, and a clear, focused course structure, the Adult Diploma Program is designed to help you move forward—one course, one subject, one milestone at a time.
Whether you’re looking to qualify for a better job, apply to college, or simply finish something you started, your diploma is closer than you think.
🎓 Take the Next Step
Ready to unlock your next course—and your future?
👉 Learn more about Excel’s Adult High School Diploma Program
Or contact our team to get your questions answered and start your journey today.
