High School Credentials

There are two options to earn a High School Credential:

Attending the required amount of class time (High School Diploma)
Passing 5 High School Equivalency tests (HiSET)

We can help you determine if a diploma or the HiSET (formerly GED) is the right credential for you.

High School Diploma

Getting Started

Obtain your transcript, if possible.
Call the guidance office at the last school you attended and ask them to send your transcript to our office at 14 Locust Street, Portland, ME 04101 or fax it to 207-773-0151.
Call to make an appointment with our High School Diploma advisor. The advisor will review your transcript and determine the credits you have already earned.
Check here for current intake information. Completing an intake will determine which Math and Language Arts classes you are ready for.
After meeting with the advisor and completing Math and Language Arts intakes, you will register for the classes you and the advisor have selected. Any class required for high school completion is free, but you should plan to pay for your books. Please be prepared to register and pay for your course immediately following the appointment.

You must meet with the advisor before you can enroll in the program.
The appointment will take about 2 hours.
If you have ACCUPLACER scores, please bring them to the appointment with you.
Our advisor is available by appointment during the day and some evenings.
The advisor can also help you determine if a diploma or the HiSET (formerly GED) is the right credential for you.

Once you are in the High School Diploma program, schedule a follow-up appointment with your advisor in the month prior to each new term to evaluate your progress in the program and plan your courses for the next term. You should also plan to meet with the teacher, advisor, or director if any problems or difficulties arise.

If you have any questions, please contact our Academic Advisor:

E-mail Anja Hanson Call (207) 874-8155

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, most students need to earn 20.5 Carnegie units (11.5 required courses and 9 elective courses). This is equivalent to the requirement to graduate from Portland’s traditional high schools. Your advisor will tell you how many credits you already have and how many you need to earn your diploma. You must earn credits in the following areas:

Required Subjects	# of Required Credits	Credits You Have	Credits You Need
English	4 credits
Math	3 credits
Social Studies	1 credit
U.S. History	1 credit
Science	2 credits
Computer Applications	.5 credit
Electives	9 credits (may vary)

Earning Credit

One credit is earned for successful completion of any course that exceeds 45 hours. Credit is awarded on the basis of attendance and completion of class work. Be sure you understand the attendance policy for HSD students: if you miss more than two classes, you may lose credit for the course. Teachers of partial credit classes may require even fewer absences. All missed class time, including tardiness and early dismissal, may be counted toward absences.

Any credits you earned in a previous high school setting will count toward your requirements.

Courses

Out-of-School Experience

With proper documentation, up to six credits may be granted for out-of-school experience. This may include:

Work experience, on-the-job training
Apprenticeship programs, trade and business courses
Online courses
Independent study
Military service
Volunteer community work
Homemaking or parenting experiences

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Academic Advisor:

E-mail Anja Hanson Call (207) 874-8155

High School Equivalency Test - HiSET

Getting Started

HiSET preparation and testing are free for Maine residents aged 17 and over. To get started, call our office at (207)-874-8155 to make a HiSET appointment. Your first step will be to take the practice tests to assess your readiness. If your practice test scores indicate that you are not yet prepared, the HiSET advisor will give you options to help you succeed. If you have questions about HiSET, please contact Rick Cali, Online Student Success Coach.

E-mail RICK CALI

HiSET Requirements

In 2014, Maine changed its method for earning a high school equivalency diploma. Maine previously used the GED, but now uses the HiSET. The 5 HiSET Tests are shown below = 7.5 hours total.

Tests	Number of Questions	Minutes Allowed
Language Arts: Writing	60 plus an essay	120
Social Studies	60	70
Science	60	80
Language Arts: Reading	50	65
Math	55 (calculator and scrap paper provided)	90

Scoring
Essay test is scored 1 to 6
Other tests scored 1 to 20

Passing
Minimum total scaled score of 45
No one score below 8
Essay score of at least 2

HiSET Testing Information

Ways to Prepare for the HiSET

Take classes at PAE. These include Math, Algebra, Reading, Grammar, Writing, Science, and History. New sessions offered in Fall (Sep - Dec), Winter (Jan - Mar), and Spring (Apr - Jun) **All math and language arts classes require intake testing prior to registration, check here for current intake information**
On the web:
Get a study guide from the library, bookstore or on Amazon:
The Official Guide to the HiSET® Exam
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
2nd Edition, 2016
PAE has limited inventory of The Official Guide to the HiSET® Exam, 1st Edition for available to purchase for $20.

Click here for information on accommodations for test-takers with disabilities or health-related needs.

What you should do on testing day

Eat a healthy breakfast/lunch/snack before you come. Food and drink are not permitted in the testing room.
Arrive on time for your appointment. Late arrivals are not guaranteed a seat and may need to reschedule.
Bring a valid, government-issued picture ID to all HiSET appointments. Students without proper ID will not be permitted to test.
Leave all devices and personal belongings in a safe place. Cell phones and other electronics are not permitted in the testing room.

College Preparation

If you are an adult with a High School credential who wants to succeed in college, we can help you to achieve that goal. With the support of an advisor, you will develop a plan to improve your academic skills and prepare for community college or university.

The College Transitions Program includes:

Skills assessment and testing
Financial aid, academic, and career advising
Classes to improve essential academic skills

Learn more

Learn more

The College Transitions Program includes:

Skills assessment and testing
Financial aid, academic, and career advising
Classes to improve essential academic skills

To be eligible for the program, you must have a High School Diploma or its equivalent (HiSET/GED). You must also qualify to enroll in either of the upper levels of Math and English.

For more information about the College Transitions program, please contact the Academic Advisor:

E-mail Anja Hanson Call (207) 874-8155

Find academics courses to earn credits toward your high school diploma:

Find academics courses

The Learning Lab

This online lab provides supported online learning opportunities for students who wish to study for the HiSET or Accuplacer exams using online tools and support from staff, which includes people who have recently passed these tests themselves. An experienced educator will guide your studies and help you achieve your academic goals.

Street Academy

As the largest and most diverse school district within the State of Maine, Portland Public Schools’ student body is representative of all socioeconomic groups including students experiencing homelessness and poverty. Given the unique and many challenges these students face, Portland we recognized the critical need for intensive support services beyond those that existed within the district. In response to this need, the Street Academy was created and administered through Portland Public Schools’ Adult Education Program in 1995, to work directly with the 16-21 year old homeless population who access and receive services for basic needs at the Preble Street Teen Center (located in downtown Portland).

Learn more

Learn more

Street Academy offers homeless youth:

Student engagement, assessment, school enrollment assistance and support services
Advocacy to reduce the barriers while pursuing their educational and employment goals
On-site HiSET pre-testing and testing
One-on-One tutoring
Credit recovery
Post-secondary preparation, planning and guidance
Employment preparation and placement
School supplies

Ongoing needs:

School supplies including backpacks, notebooks and folders.

Our Mission
The Street Academy ensures that homeless youth in Maine have every opportunity to thrive, grow and become productive members of their community through education and workforce training.

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In This Section

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High School Diploma

Getting Started

Graduation Requirements

Earning Credit

Courses

Out-of-School Experience

High School Equivalency Test - HiSET

Getting Started

HiSET Requirements

HiSET Testing Information

Ways to Prepare for the HiSET

College Preparation

Learn more

The Learning Lab

Street Academy

Learn more