A Graduation Certificate is an official award issued by Accelerate Educational Ministries (AEM) that recognises a student has successfully completed their senior secondary studies using the ACE program. It confirms that your student has finished the required subjects, credits, and levels for their chosen graduation pathway.

To earn a Graduation Certificate, students complete a set number of credits, with each credit made up of around 12 PACEs in a specific subject area. Core subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Christian Studies must be completed, along with pathway-specific electives.

There are two senior pathways available:

• General Certificate – suitable for students moving into employment, TAFE, apprenticeships, or further vocational study.

• Academic Certificate – includes higher academic requirements and is recommended for students planning to enter university.

Students must register their certificate pathway before beginning the higher-level PACEs so that all completed work is counted toward graduation. Once all required credits, assessments, and moderation checks are completed, AEM issues the Graduation Certificate, which can be used for work, further study, or tertiary entrance (depending on the chosen pathway).

How it works:

• From around Year 10 onward, your student will work with their ACHS teacher/advisor to choose a pathway that matches their aim — for example: moving into work or an apprenticeship, heading into TAFE, or planning for university. Australian Christian Home Schooling+2Australian Christian Home Schooling+2

• The pathway sets out how many credits are required, which subjects are essential (English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Christian Studies), and which electives will help achieve the student’s goal.

• It’s important that the student registers the certificate pathway early — before completing the senior-level PACEs — so their PACE work is counted towards the certificate and aligns with the pathway.

• The pathway also helps monitor progress: as the student completes credits and PACEs, the advisor tracks whether they remain on target for their chosen certificate (General or Academic) and eventual transition (work, TAFE, university).

• Because each student’s destination is different, the pathway is flexible — it can be adjusted (with advisor support) if the student’s goals change.

Why it matters:

• Having a clear pathway means the student doesn’t miss required credits or do unnecessary electives which won’t count toward the certificate.

• It supports future options: A pathway designed for university will include additional rigorous subjects, whereas a pathway for vocational training might focus differently — this planning helps avoid having to “catch up” later.

• It gives both parent and student confidence: knowing “what needs to be done” and “when it needs to be done” reduces stress in senior years.