<P> A high school diploma is a North American academic school leaving qualification awarded upon high school graduation . The high school diploma is typically studied for over the course of four years, from Grade 9 to Grade 12 . The diploma is typically awarded by the school in accordance with the requirements of the local state or provincial government . Requirements for earning the diploma vary by jurisdiction, and there may be different requirements for different streams or levels of high school graduation . Typically they include a combination of selected coursework meeting specified criteria for a particular stream and acceptable passing grades earned on the state exit examination . </P> <P> In British Columbia, the diploma is known as the British Columbia Certificate of Graduation . The province of BC has two distinct graduation programs: the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) and the BC Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood). Students also have the opportunity to meet their educational goals (other than graduation) through the BC School Completion Certificate (Evergreen Certificate). </P>

What do you get when you graduate from high school