Adult High School & High School Equivalency

Step 1: Attend a placement testing and orientation session.
Sessions are held at both our Anson County and Union County campuses. Click the links below for upcoming sessions.

• Register for Anson County
• Register for Union County

Step 2: Choose the GED® or HiSET® test.

• GED®: A computer-based test you can take in our Pearson Vue testing centers. More info on GED®
• HiSET®: Available on paper or computer in both Anson and Union counties. More info on HiSET®

Step 3: Prepare for the test in our classes, then take your test and get your diploma!

Step 4: Sign up to take the GED® or HiSET® at South Piedmont. Explore our testing services.

Students 16 or 17 years of age may attend Adult High School and HSE classes at South Piedmont if they have officially withdrawn from high school.

• Print and complete the Minor Applicant Notarized Petition Form. This form must be signed and notarized. Notary services are typically available at a local bank or library. For notary services through South Piedmont, please call 704.290.5243.
• Obtain a signed, official Withdrawal Form from your last high school attended (public, private, or home).  The high school will provide this form.
• Bring completed and notarized Minor Applicant Notarized Petition Form and Withdrawal Form to placement testing and orientation session.

Students will not be able to participate in placement testing and orientation without the completed forms.

If you didn’t finish high school but only need a few more credits, this may be a good choice for you. You’ll complete the credits you need to earn a high school diploma. Once you’ve finished, South Piedmont will award your diploma in partnership with our local public school system.

Our orientations are offered each month July – October and January – April 

During orientation, you have an opportunity to sign up for any of the available HSE classes. 

We offer morning and evening classes.  Our morning classes meet from 9am – noon.  Our evening classes meet from 4:30 – 7:30 or 5:30 – 8:30pm. 

The following classes are available each semester:  

• Lab Resource 
• Math 
• Reading & Writing 
• Spanish Lab Resource 

Our orientations are offered each month Sept – October and January – February 

We offer a Lab Resource class that meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:30 – 7:30pm 

We offer Math class or Math support as needed.  

Students 16 or 17 years of age may attend Adult High School and HSE classes at South Piedmont if they have officially withdrawn from high school. Minor students MUST bring two forms with them to the orientation session.  

1. Print and complete the Minor Applicant Notarized Petition Form. This form must be signed and notarized. Notary services are typically available at a local bank or library. For notary services through South Piedmont, please call 704.290.5243. 

2. Obtain a signed, official Withdrawal Form from your last high school attended (public, private, or home).  The high school will provide this form. 

Bring both forms to the orientation session and placement testing. 

Students will not be able to participate in placement testing and orientation without the completed forms.  

Our program assists students who are studying to pass either the HiSET tests or the GED tests to earn their high school equivalency diploma (HSE).  To earn the credential, students will test in reading, writing, social studies, science and math.   

The program is self-paced.  All students attend our Lab Resource class to focus on each subject by taking practice tests and reviewing resource materials.  If needed, a student may choose to register for a math class or a reading & writing class.  These classes provide direct instruction and should be attended regularly.  

After 12 hours of attendance, a student may be eligible to take the final tests.  Tests are scheduled and taken separately.  Once all tests have been completed, a student has earned the HSE credential!  

We hold a graduation ceremony each year in May to celebrate students who have graduated within the year.  

At this time, we offer an online study resource that is self-paced. We do not offer any online synchronous classes. The online program provides students with lessons to complete in any of the subject areas.  These are individualized lessons based on the assessment of the student.  When a student has completed these lessons, he/she is advised to attend our Lab Resource class and take the official practice tests to ensure success on the final exams. 

Yes, both the HiSET and the GED tests are offered in English or Spanish. 

We offer a Spanish Resource lab with an instructor that has Spanish materials to help a student prepare for testing. 

The length of time it will take a student to earn his/her HSE will vary.  There are several factors that need to align for a student to be successful.  These factors are: 

• The foundation of knowledge a student has in each of the different subject areas (What you already know)  

• The amount of time a student devotes to attending class to practice and study (How often you study) 

• The desire and motivation a student has to earn the HSE (How determined you are) 

It is important to attend class consistently.  It is also important to study while you are in class, utilize our resource materials, and read at home.  If you prioritize your education for a semester, you will see progress which will result in successful testing!  It is in your hands as to how long you are in our program.  

There is no cost to attend any of our HSE classes.  In addition, at this time, we provide vouchers to cover the cost of GED and HiSET testing for our students.  

To qualify for the voucher, a student must have a minimum of 12 hours of attendance, have attended within 90 days and have a passing score on two practice tests for the subject area. 

No. Practice materials are provided in the Lab Resource class.

Once you have completed the orientation and placement evaluation, you can start attending our Lab Resource classes.

Our orientations are offered each month July – October and January – April

Yes! We offer a graduation ceremony once a year in May.

Any student that has earned his/her HSE diploma from May of the previous year through April of the current year will be invited to walk in the May graduation ceremony.