Certificate of attendance

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In the United States and Canada, a certificate of attendance is a certificate given to students who complete the K-12 (kindergarten through 12th grade) program but do not meet the requirements for the high school diploma. Students who pass the 12th grade by obtaining enough credits or by completing all core courses will still be acknowledged in the graduation ceremony; they will walk the stage in cap and gown and will look like a graduate. Instead of receiving a diploma, however, they will receive a certificate of attendance.

Certificates of attendance are considered let downs and sometimes described as having gone to school for the last four years but not learning anything. Students who receive certificates of attendance usually return to school for either a full year or a half year to make up their credits and finally obtain the diploma late.