Meridian High School

High School Diploma

Traditional High School Diploma :

Meridian High School offers block scheduling for our full time and part time students, which means that a high school diploma is completed in a shorter amount of time. In most cases students finish high school in just 16 months

Estimated times of completion for the High School Diploma:

12th Grade: 4 - 9 months
11th-12 Grade: 8 - 18 months
10th-12th Grade: 12 - 27 months
9th-12th Grade: 16 - 36 months

We serve students throughout the country and the world with a private high school education. It is a unique school that provides a flexible setting, structure and calendar through online learning. This flexibility means you can also take online make-up courses or summer school online to supplement your report card.

This application is intended to help us get to know you. Please complete this application fully and honestly so that, when you begin classes, we can be sure to meet your needs. We enroll students above the age of 13, who can read write and speak English fluently. All courses are provided in English.

Curriculum & Graduation Framework

Meridian High School, as a Florida private school, establishes its curriculum, academic credit requirements, assessment policies, and graduation standards in accordance with its institutional academic policies.

MHS has adopted a course of study aligned with the curriculum and high school graduation framework published by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). This framework provides the academic foundation for the Meridian High School Diploma and is reflected in the school's graduation requirements outlined below.

Florida Statutory Framework

Meridian High School's academic framework takes into consideration relevant provisions of the Florida Education Code, including:

Section 1002.42, Florida Statutes — Private Schools : Provides the statutory framework governing private schools in Florida, including registration, reporting, and institutional responsibilities.
Section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes — Requirements for a Standard High School Diploma : Establishes Florida's public high school course-credit and graduation framework.
Section 1003.41, Florida Statutes — State Academic Standards : Provides the statutory basis for Florida's state academic standards.
Section 1003.42, Florida Statutes — Required Instruction : Identifies areas of instruction forming part of Florida's K–12 educational framework.

Within the independence afforded to Florida private schools, Meridian High School has chosen to align its course of study and graduation framework with relevant Florida academic standards and graduation requirements while maintaining its own institutional policies for curriculum, assessment, academic credit, and graduation.

References: Florida Statutes §§ 1002.42, 1003.4282, 1003.41, and 1003.42; Florida Department of Education.

High School Diploma: Graduation Requirements:

Graduation requires successful completion of a minimum of 24 academic credits in grades 9 through 12. The 24 credits shall be distributed as follows:

04 credits in English, with major concentration in composition and literature.
04 credits in Mathematics. Effective for students entering the 9th grade in the 1997-1998 school year and thereafter, one of these credits must be Algebra I, a series of courses equivalent to Algebra I, or a higher-level mathematics course.
03 credits in Science
03 credits in Social Science
01 credit in Fine or Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or specified Practical Arts courses
01 credit in Physical Education that includes integration of Health

Eight elective credits:

04 Credits in a Major Area of Interest.
04 credits in elective

Individual Courses

Online Credit Recovery Courses

There are several reasons why students may fail a class resulting in them falling behind. Falling short of the required number of credits due to excessive absence, inability to keep pace with the rest of the class, problems at home and learning disabilities are only a few of the reasons that prevent students from graduating. However, with Credit Recovery courses, students can now make good on their credit score by enrolling for extra classes.

Credit Recovery programs are designed to include different strategies that can be customized to suit each student’s individual needs. Since no two students have the same capabilities, they are focused on tailoring course material to maximise learning and improve retention. The most familiar form of delivering Credit Recovery programs is via summer school programs. Traditionally, students could take Credit Recovery courses during regular school hours, after school, during vacation breaks or during the summer.

But with online schools offering Credit Recovery programs, students now have many more options to make good on their credit score. Online platforms that help students work with a variety of learning styles, creativity, and communication skills.

Why Students Need Credit Recovery Programs

Given today’s level of competition in the job market combined with increasing globalization, a high school diploma is no longer sufficient. However, it is the first step toward building a strong, secure foundation for our children. Graduating high school is imperative for those seeking to go on to college or even apply for a decent, well-paying job. Students need to understand the importance of having a high school diploma. As teachers and parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that they understand just how important a high school diploma can be. Not only will such programs prepare our children but they will also go a long way in reducing high school dropout rates – an alarming phenomenon that can have catastrophic, cascading effects. Students need to approach online learning with a whole new mindset. Online courses are much more than a way to recover credits. They offer you a whole new platform with new learning methodologies. These modern methods optimise learning processes and maximise retention, thereby helping students improve their overall learning process.

Benefits of enrolling for Credit Recovery Programs

There are several benefits associated with online Credit Recovery programs –

High degree of flexibility
Tailored course content
Improved retention
Easier synchronization of time schedules
Overcome geographical limitations – greater access to teaching faculty
Speed up the process of delivering results and feedback
Optimization of timelines and focus of curriculum

How many credits can a student earn?

At Meridian High School, we offer our courses to students on an individual basis via both online learning and correspondence (books). While both programs offer academic records, we simply provide these courses individually outside of our full-time program.

Meridian High School operates as a private K–12 school in the State of Florida in accordance with Section 1002.42, Florida Statutes. The school maintains its annual reporting and compliance requirements with the Florida Department of Education and provides educational programs for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

While the full-time K-12th grade programs (4 to 6 credits/classes) are still the best option both academically and financially for most families, we recognize that there may be good reasons why a student may wish to take only a course or two with us – credit recovery, summer school, accelerated credits, electives, foreign languages, etc. However, students taking individual courses with Meridian High School who are not enrolled in our full-time or diploma program are not eligible to graduate from Meridian High School or receive a high school diploma. Students in twelfth (12th) grade must complete 25% of their courses at Meridian High School in order to attain a high school diploma.

Students who wish to enroll for our individual courses should seek approval from their public/private school.

Generally we allow up to two (2) courses of individual credits per semester.

Adult Foundation Diploma (AFD)

Foundation Learning for Adult Learners

The Meridian High School Adult Foundation Diploma (AFD) is a flexible adult education program designed for learners who did not have the opportunity to complete a traditional high school education and who wish to strengthen the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for further learning, employment, and personal development.

The program provides structured learning across essential areas including English language and communication, mathematics, digital literacy, personal development, and work, life, and employability skills. Learning may include carefully selected courses and educational resources offered through established third-party learning platforms.

The AFD consists of 8.0 Meridian High School AFD Credits. Individual AFD courses may be divided into component parts so that multiple learning activities or courses can collectively satisfy the learning outcomes of an AFD course.

Program Objectives

The Adult Foundation Diploma is designed to help adult learners:

Develop practical English language, reading, writing, and communication skills.
Strengthen essential mathematical and numeracy skills for everyday life and the workplace.
Build confidence in using computers, digital technologies, and online learning environments.
Develop practical work, life, and employability skills.
Improve independent learning, problem-solving, and personal development skills.
Establish a foundation for progression to further education, vocational training, professional development, or employment-related learning.

Flexible Learning Model

AFD learning may be completed through a combination of Meridian High School academic activities and selected courses or learning resources from established external education providers and online learning platforms.

Where an external course forms part of an AFD requirement, students may be required to provide evidence of successful completion. Any certificate or credential issued by an external provider remains the credential of that provider. Meridian High School evaluates the completed learning against the relevant AFD course requirements before awarding applicable AFD credit.

AFD Credit Framework

Successful completion of the Adult Foundation Diploma requires a total of 8.0 AFD Credits. The program is organized around the following broad areas of foundation learning:

Foundation Learning Area	AFD Credits
English Language & Communication Skills	2.0
Mathematics & Practical Numeracy	2.0
Digital Literacy & Technology Skills	1.0
Work, Life & Employability Skills	1.0
Personal Development & Independent Learning	1.0
Foundation Elective / Applied Learning	1.0
Total	8.0

External Learning & Certificates

Depending on the selected AFD pathway, students may complete approved learning activities through established education providers and other selected approved learning providers. Specific courses and providers may vary as the AFD curriculum is reviewed and updated.

Where applicable, students may also receive separate certificates directly from the external learning provider upon successful completion of its course requirements. Such certificates are issued independently by the respective provider and are separate from the Adult Foundation Diploma awarded by Meridian High School.

Important Program Information

The Adult Foundation Diploma (AFD) is a Meridian High School adult foundation education program. It is separate from the Meridian High School High School Diploma program and has its own curriculum and AFD credit framework.

The AFD is not a Florida Standard High School Diploma, GED®, or state-issued high school equivalency credential. Completion of the AFD should not be represented as completion of a Florida high school diploma or high school equivalency credential. Admission, employment, recognition, and progression decisions remain subject to the requirements of the receiving institution, employer, or relevant authority.

Who is the AFD for?
The program is intended primarily for adult learners who have not completed traditional high school education, learners returning to education after an extended break, and individuals seeking a structured foundation for further academic, vocational, or employment-related learning.

For information about admission requirements, available AFD courses, fees, and enrollment, please contact the Meridian High School Admissions Office.

Professional Courses

Meridian High School professional education courses are designed for working professionals, offering interactive, online learning in a convenient, time-saving manner that fits into busy schedules. Courses typically run for just a few days to several weeks. Course content will be geared to a specific industry or skill set, with an emphasis on learnings and hands-on scenarios from the field. All professional education courses are fee-based, with specific fees varying by course. Many courses offer students continuing education or professional education credit, and all courses offer students Verified Certificates of Achievement

Certificate in ESL

English as a Second Language (ESL), also called English as a Foreign Language (EFL), is an English language study program for nonnative speakers. The goal of an ESL program is to improve the students' level of English. ESL classes teach different language skills, depending on students' English abilities, interests, and needs. All programs teach the following: conversational English, grammar, reading, listening comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.

Certificate in IT

This course will introduce you to the field of information technology / computer science and the fundamentals of computer programming. Certificate in Information Technology is specifically designed for students with no prior programming experience, and taking this course does not require a background in Computer Science.

Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety

This part-time certificate program is designed to help practitioners from many different backgrounds develop the competencies needed to be effective in the development, implementation, and evaluation of occupational health and safety programs and systems in a wide variety of occupational settings. Develop an understanding of concepts, principles and practices involved in creating a safe work environment reducing hazards, accidents, injuries, diseases and disabilities to people in on-the-job situations.

Certificate in Education

If you’re looking for a challenging career that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives, consider teaching. As the population of the United States grows, so too does the demand for qualified and certified teachers. As a teacher, you can specialize in teaching at any level from preschool to adult education, and can choose whether to teach in public or private school systems. To become a teacher, you generally need at least a bachelor’s degree in education or in a field such as science or history with additional education coursework.