Glossary 

Formal recognition that a school or education provider meets certain standards. In the American system, accreditation applies to schools and programmes, not to individual students. For home education purposes, this usually means accreditation is relevant if you are using an umbrella school or diploma provider.

It’s also worth noting that the ENIC Statement of Comparability is based on official, accredited  qualifications and documents. ENIC will only assess and compare recognised US-style credentials such as an American high school diploma and transcript issued by an established school or provider, rather than a parent-created transcript on its own.

There are multiple different accreditation groups.

A US university entrance multiple-choice exam covering English, maths, reading and science. It is designed to assess academic achievement and 'college readiness'; usually taken in the final year or two of secondary school. Some UK universities accept ACT scores instead of an A level.

APs are single subject exams offered in May each year; each exam is a single sitting of 2–3 hours, combining multiple-choice and free-response questions.

APs are run by the College Board and there is an AP exam centre in London accessible to home educated students. Exams are regarded by ENIC as comparable in level to A Levels (Level 3), while completion of the course without the exam is seen as comparable to a GCSE (Level 2).

AP courses should be listed on the transcript as 'AP' to show the higher level of challenge. You can prepare independently using College Board materials and revision guides or choose a one-year tutor-led AP course. 

If a UK university states that it accepts APs, it will normally be referring to the exam score. Most UK universities specify whether they require a 4 or the top score of 5. 

APs can also count as dual credit for US universities, because some colleges will give students credit or let them skip an introductory course if they score highly.

The US non‑profit organisation that runs the SAT and AP exams: collegeboard.org

The essential subjects such as English, Maths, Science and Social Studies which are required for a complete high school diploma.

A course or exam that, in the USA, counts for both high school and university credit at the same time. Often taken through a college or accredited provider and includes the Advanced Placement (AP).

A unit used to record the successful completion of a course of learning. One credit represents roughly a year’s worth of study in a subject (often around 120 hours of learning), although this can vary depending on the programme. Credits are awarded based on time spent and work completed rather than exam results alone.

It is also possible to award partial credits where the material is studied over a shorter period or when learning is spread out more gently over a longer timeframe.

A measure of study time used to award credits. One high school credit is often based on around 120 hours of work.

Electives are subjects chosen alongside the core academic areas. Example include art, music, computer science, foreign languages. 

They can include a wider range of interests that sit outside the core curriculum and help reflect the student's individuality and breadth of experience. Most home educated students will include around 4–8 elective credits on their transcript, sometimes more!

The UK body that assesses how international qualifications compare to UK qualifications (formerly UK NARIC).

You can apply to ENIC for a Statement of Comparability. This 'translates' a US high school diploma (HSD), along with any College Board exams (such as SATs or APs), into UK terms and levels. That makes it much easier for sixth forms, colleges, universities, and employers to understand what your qualifications are equivalent to.

enic.org.uk

UK standardised exams usually taken at age 15–16. Optional for home‑educated students and not required for a US‑style diploma. 

One year of GCSE-level study in a subject can be used as one HSD credit. Some umbrella schools (e.g. Homeschool Directive) allow one credit for the course, and a further credit for the exam.

A numerical average of a student’s grades, typically calculated on a 4.0 scale and used by universities to assess overall academic performance.

Unweighted GPA is calculated using grades alone, without giving extra points for more challenging courses.

Weighted GPA includes additional points for more demanding courses (such as honours courses and APs) so it reflects both achievement and level of difficulty.

The US system of grouping students by year, with high school typically covering Grades 9–12. Unlike the UK system, grade level is based more on a student’s age and overall progress than on exam entry or specific qualifications, allowing for greater flexibility in how and when students move through their education.

UK to US comparison:
Year 10 (Grade 9)
Year 11 (Grade 10)
Year 12 (Grade 11)
Year 13 (Grade 12)

The set of courses and credits a student must complete in order to earn a high school diploma. The exact requirements will vary depending on the school or umbrella provider, with the minimum set by the State where the school is based.

Students typically need to earn passing grades in:

• English (four years)

• Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)

• Science (e.g. Biology, Chemistry)

• Social Studies/History (e.g. World History, Economics, Human Geography)

• Physical Education

• Electives (e.g. Art, Music, Foreign Language, Technology)

The final stage of secondary education in the US system for Grades 9-12, typically covering ages 14–18.

The certificate awarded on completion of a full secondary programme, typically covering Grades 9–12. 

This may be achieved by earning the required number of credits (usually around 24–30, depending on the state, umbrella school or family goals). In the UK context, ENIC has assessed many such diplomas as comparable to Level 2 (GCSE) qualifications.

Parent-Issued Diploma is a diploma awarded by parents acting as the student’s school administrators. When supported by a clear, well-documented transcript, this is widely accepted in America by colleges, universities and employers.

I strongly advise having your student enrolled in an unbrella school for their senior (last) year of the diploma path so that you have an official certificate and transcript rather than a parent-issued version. ENIC do not assess UK parent-issued, non-accreditated diplomas and transcripts.

The Transcript is the official record of the high school education, listing the courses the student has taken along with grades and a GPA. This is what sixth-forms, universities and employers will be looking at; it is the black and white outline of the breadth, depth and level of study accomplished. 

More challenging versions of standard high school courses, designed to stretch students through greater depth, complexity, or pace of study. 

They are often given additional weighting in GPA calculations and are viewed positively by universities as evidence of academic rigour. 

Some UK universities may consider strong performance in honours-level work alongside other qualifications such as APs or A Levels.

Grades given as letters (A–F) rather than percentages. Commonly used on US transcripts.

Describes a school, programme or course that has not been formally approved by a recognised accrediting body. 

This does not automatically make the education or resulting diploma invalid but it does mean that recognition relies more on supporting evidence such as transcripts, course descriptions and external exam results. (Please refer to my note on ENIC.)

A standardised university entrance exam widely used in the United States, administered by the College Board. It assesses skills in reading, writing and maths, and is often accepted by UK universities as part of their admissions criteria.

An exam taken under consistent conditions and marked externally, allowing results to be compared across students. Examples include American tests such as the SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, with the UK having IGCSE, GCSE, A Level.

A document issued by UK ENIC comparing an international qualification to UK standards and giving its equivalent. Required by many employers, universities and colleges when presenting non-UK issued educational documents.

A school (usually US-based) that formally oversees home-educated students and which issues transcripts and diplomas. An umbrella school does not always provide teaching. Often, its main role is to record the courses you have completed as high school credits.

If you plan to apply for an ENIC Statement of Comparability, use an accredited umbrella school, so that your diploma certificate and transcript are clearly recognised and easier for ENIC to assess.