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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 4Pt. 28Ch. 3Art. 3.5§ 51440 Military Service High School Diploma

§ 51440 Military Service High School Diploma

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 51440 Military Service High School Diploma

Key Takeaways

  • •If you joined the military before finishing high school, you can still get your diploma later if you meet certain rules.
  • •You must have been a California resident when you joined the military or live in California now.
  • •If you finished half of your 12th-grade work before joining, you automatically get a diploma.
  • •The school will check your military training and classes to see if they count toward your diploma.

Example

John was in 12th grade in a California high school but left to join the Army before finishing. He completed half of his 12th-grade classes before leaving.

Because John finished half of his 12th-grade work and joined the military, his high school must give him a diploma.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 51440 Military Service High School Diploma

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to regulations that the state board shall prescribe, a high school district, unified school district, or county office of education maintaining a four-year high school or senior high school, may, for a person who has not received a high school diploma included in paragraph (2), evaluate classes completed in any high school, community college, or state college; grant credit toward graduation for military service and training received while in the military service of the United States, and if satisfied that that person has completed the equivalent of the requirements for graduation from high school, grant him or her a diploma of graduation. (2) Persons who may be granted a diploma pursuant to paragraph (1) are: (A) A former member of the Armed Forces who is a resident of this state and who has received an honorable discharge. (B) A member of the Armed Forces who is, and on the date he or she entered the Armed Forces was, a resident of this state. (b) A veteran who entered the military service of the United States while a pupil in grade 12 of a high school and who at the time of his or her entrance into military service had satisfactorily completed the first half of the work required for grade 12 shall be granted a diploma of graduation from that high school. (Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 255, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2005.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

graduationeducationschoolstudentregulationarmed forcesunited statescommunity

Related Statutes

  • § 56205 Special Education Plan Requirements
  • § 69435.5 Community College Cal Grant Eligibility
  • § 313.1 Long-Term English Learner Definition
  • § 46300.2 Community School Attendance Funding
  • § 51401 Accredited School Diploma Exemption

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 51440.
View Official Source