For Seniors

1. Timely Registration & Grade Submission

 

We will not enroll a returning student as a senior unless we have received the final grade report for the previous school year.

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​All students should register at the beginning of each school year (August). For seniors, this is especially important. We expect to receive applications for all students in August, first-semester grades at the end of January or early February, final grades in May or June, and summer-school grades by August 31. Failure to enroll and submit grades in a timely manner can delay or even prevent graduation.

 

*August 31 is the final date for grades.*

 

Promptly turning in your senior's grades after the first semester ensures timely processing. We review each senior's file when we receive first-semester grades to make sure that the student is on track for graduation.

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2. Minimum Prior Enrollment

 

Gateway requires seniors to be registered for at least one semester immediately preceding graduation.

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3. Scholarships

 

A. Tennessee Hope Scholarship

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) awards the TN Hope Scholarship to home-educated students who make an ACT composite score of 21 or above or SAT score of 1060 (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) and have been enrolled with a home-education program for a full school year immediately preceding graduation. For more information on this scholarship, go to https://www.collegefortn.org/tennessee-hope-scholarship/.

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B. Tennessee Promise Scholarship

This scholarship offers two free years of college.  It requires the student to meet a series of requirements with strict deadlines (e.g., application for the scholarship by November 1 of the senior year). For more information on this scholarship, go to https://www.collegefortn.org/tnpromise/.​

 

4. Scholarship Application Forms

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Many colleges have forms that can be downloaded from their websites. When applying to a college for admission or scholarship, review the forms carefully.

 

If a form requires verification by a counselor or school official, please complete the student/parent portion, sign your part if required, and then send the form to Gateway for verification and signature by a school official. Please give complete addresses and full instructions as to where, how (mail, fax, or email), and to whom it should be sent.​ We will complete our part, attach an official transcript, and send it to the college.

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5. Diplomas

 

A diploma and unofficial transcript should arrive at the address we have on file about two weeks after we receive final grades. If the diploma is needed by a certain date, plan ahead so that coursework can be finished and final grades submitted in time for us to produce the final transcript, print the diploma, and have it delivered to your home by the postal service.​ Please note that coursework must be completed before final grades are sent.​

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6. Transcript Requests

 

We protect student records; therefore, we do not send out your transcript unless requested.  Please submit your request at the same time you submit final grades if transcripts are needed immediately after graduation.
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Be sure that Gateway has received any ACT/SAT scores as well as the student’s current grades and attendance. (Typically, transcripts sent to colleges in January or February of the senior year should include fall-semester grades.)

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A transcript can be requested by phone, email, fax, or mail. Requests should include the student's full name, date of birth, and year of graduation. Please give a complete address and full instructions as to where, how (mail, fax, or email), and to whom it should be sent.
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Watch deadlines and make your request far enough in advance. Typically, a request is processed within 10 business days of being received in our office. Keep us informed of any deadlines you are facing.
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7. Grading & Attendance

 

When entering grades and attendance, be sure to enter the correct school year, list each high-school subject by the specific course title, and assign the appropriate credit for each. Don't forget to enter the number of days completed and the ending date for each semester.

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8. Graduation

 

A. Ceremonies

Since Gateway's Total Home Education Program does not have a graduation ceremony, families may present the diploma in a celebration with friends and family at home or church, or in a more formal setting.

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Local branches of the Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA) as well as other groups conduct traditional, cap-and-gown ceremonies for home schoolers

(click HERE for a list). To participate in a local graduation ceremony, contact the area graduation coordinator. Remember that many have deadlines.

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If you have a specific graduation date, plan ahead and be sure that your school year ends at least two weeks prior to the ceremony so that we can receive the final grades in sufficient time for you to receive the diploma by mail.

 

B. Supplies​

You may print your own invitations.

 

For those desiring class rings there are various options.  Some design and order their own through a local jeweler, department store, or graduation supply store.

 

Below are some websites for ordering graduation supplies (class rings, caps, gowns, etc.):​

• www.hslda.org

• www.balfour.com (has Gateway’s mascot on file for rings)

 

Gateway’s school colors are red, white and blue. Our mascot is the “Challenger,” represented as a knight mounted on a horse.