As Academic Adviser, I support students in earning a high school diploma and making a successful transition to college. From assisting students with course selection, evaluating transcripts, and advising on study skills, I work to maintain a college-bound environment to ensure students are 4-year college eligible.

The University of Nebraska is a leader in education and research, and has delivered distance education for more than 80 years. Our high school courses have been carefully developed to create a high-quality, rigorous education. Our accreditation means that students benefit from courses and a diploma that are widely recognized and accepted. Graduates of our program go on to attend colleges and universities around the world, including many prestigious (and very competitive) institutions.

Over the years we have had a direct impact on thousands of young people’s lives. I look forward to assisting you in your educational journey!

Debby Bartz, M.S. Ed.
Academic Adviser

Each person has a unique way of studying that is most effective for them. Often, students must try several different methods before finding the approach that works best for their learning style.

We recommend you spend approximately 60 to 80 minutes five days a week on each course, for a period of one semester (18 weeks). This is about the same amount of time high school students generally spend in traditional classes. 

It is crucial for students to develop reading strategies and techniques. Remember that becoming a stronger and more critical reader is a lifetime skill that takes practice every day!

Here are some tips you may find helpful as you work though your course material:

1. Complete your lessons one step at a time, in the order the material is presented.
2. Read assigned textbook chapters first to gain understanding of a lesson’s topics and concepts. Then read the course syllabus lessons associated with the textbook chapters for additional insights and context clues.
3. Become actively involved in the reading passage to aid the process of learning.
4. Keep a notebook or journal for each course. Record your thoughts and impressions about the lessons.
5. Mark the text with short notes and your thoughts to develop reading skills for a higher level of meaning and purpose.
6. Summarize each paragraph to develop a map to understanding the chapter.
7. Consult a dictionary if you are unsure of a word’s meaning. (Try a free online resource such as thefreedictionary.com.)

UNL Independent Study High School Students are graded according to a standard four-point grading scale. Letter grade and percent scale equivalents are provided below:

View graduation requirements for completing your diploma at the Independent Study High School.

Students who are ready to graduate should complete a Graduation Clearance form.

The Independent Study High School graduation ceremony is held the second Friday in June. All students who have completed their diploma prior to the ceremony are invited to attend. Learn more about the graduation ceremony.

Most colleges and universities have application deadlines when transcripts, school reports and recommendations are due. We are glad to assist you in this process.

If you plan to attend college, you will also need to take a college admission test, most often the ACT or SAT.

Most colleges accept either test, but some prefer one or the other. Registration is required in advance to take these national tests (register online or visit your local school, as tests vary by geographic region). We recommend that diploma students take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), and use the ISHS School code 281316 to submit their results to the ISHS.

Students interested in applying for college admission to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln may contact the UNL Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Transferring credits into the Independent Study High School
Students who would like to obtain their high school diploma* from the University of Nebraska’s Independent Study High School and have earned credits from other schools should complete a Transcript Evaluation form . Submit this form along with your official transcripts from all previous high schools, to receive an adviser's evaluation of your transferrable credit hours.

Students transferring credits from non-accredited domestic or foreign high schools, as well as home school students, must provide a transcript and must take the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) to validate their credits. Home school transcripts of records must include a listing of the subjects taken at each grade level, accompanied by a listing of the major textbook (title and publisher) used in the course. Home schooled students need to take the ITED to validate their credits or may provide annual standardized test scores.

The ITED tests are available, by contacting customer service. There is a $50 fee for the ITED tests and scored results. The student’s proctor administers the tests.

Please note: The Independent Study High School will provide transcripts upon request by a high school official if a student is seeking to enroll in or is currently enrolled in that school. In these cases, you do not have to submit a request.