5460 - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

It shall be the policy of the Board to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program appropriate to the achievement of District goals and objectives as well as personal proficiency by the awarding of a diploma at fitting graduation ceremonies.

A student must earn twenty-four (24) credits, including the credit requirements set by State statute, to be eligible to receive a diploma, provided all other requirements as determined by the State and the Board are met. The Board requires the following credit requirements for a diploma:

In order to earn a high school diploma, a student must successfully complete a civics assessment in accordance with State statute.

A student must also have participated in curriculum relating to financial literacy in order to earn a diploma.

In accordance with State law, a Board may not grant a high school diploma to any student unless, during the high school grades, the student has been enrolled in a class or has participated in an activity approved by the Board during each class period of each school day, or the student has been enrolled in an alternative education program (defined in 115.28(7)(e)1), Wis. Stats.) or is participating in a Board-approved program that allows a student enrolled in the high school grades who has demonstrated a high level of maturity and personal responsibility to leave the school premises for up to one (1) class period each day if the student does not have a class scheduled during that class period.

The Board may approve a course or courses in career and technical education that it determines may satisfy up to a total of one (1) credit of mathematics and/or science credit.

The Board may waive graduation requirements, except for the core requirements, in exceptional cases to suit the needs of a student subject to Wis. Admin Code, §§ PI 18.03 and PI 18.04.

Physical Education Credits

Students who have participated in interscholastic athletics,for participation in at least two full seasons of a JV or Varsity sportas defined in the Student handbook, while enrolled in grades ten (10), eleven (11) and twelve (12), and as documented by the school counselor. 

Academic and Career Planning

In accordance with Wis. Stat. 115.28(59) and Wis. Admin. Code PI 26, students shall engage in a program of Academic and Career Planning (ACP) activities designed to foster self-exploration, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness. Each student is expected to develop and maintain an individualized academic and career plan. The District shall document participation in and completion of required ACP activities to satisfy graduation requirements and ensure compliance with state regulations.

Physical Education Credits 

Students who have participated in  WIAA, for participation in at least two full seasons of a WIAA sport as defined in the Student handbook, while enrolled in grades nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11), and twelve (12), and as documented by the school counselor, can earn 0.5 credit towards the physical education requirement. The athlete must be in good standing according to the Oconto High School Athletic/Activities Handbook.

Graduation Credit as a Middle School Student

The Board permits students in 7th or 8th grade to earn credit towards a high school diploma in any class taken that is approved by the Board for such purpose, provided that the student is academically prepared based on performance on approved student assessments. Any course designated for high school credit at the middle school level must be taught by a teacher with high school certification in the subject matter and must be taught using curriculum and assessments equivalent to those used in the subject at the high school level.

Credit may be earned in any subject area meeting the requirements under this policy.

Courses taken by middle school students for high school credit shall appear on the students’ high school transcript, along with the grade received however the grade and class will not be factored into the students’ high school grade point average.

The Board directs the District Administrator to develop appropriate courses after determining annually whether sufficient student interest and appropriate staffing justifies offering such course(s). The District Administrator shall establish procedures to determine whether a middle school student is academically prepared to take any course approved for high school credit.

Alternative Education Diploma

The Board authorizes the District Administrator to establish an alternative diploma program for students who meet the requirements of State law but not the additional elective credit requirements established for attainment of a regular high school diploma from the District. An alternative education program is defined as an instructional program, approved by the Board, that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms, or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. "Alternative educational program" does not include a private school or a home-based private educational program. (See Policy 2451 - Program or Curriculum Modifications)

The IEP team and any other necessary members will review the student's academic progress and the alternative achievement standards for graduation criteria.

Students With Disabilities

Students with disabilities who properly complete the programs specified in their I.E.P. and have received the recommendation of the I.E.P. Committee may participate in graduation activities and may be awarded a diploma (provided the student satisfied the District's high school graduation requirements). (see Policy 5460.01  - Diploma Deferral)

Graduation Activities and Ceremony

A student may be denied participation in graduation activities for disciplinary reasons and/or for non-payment of fees. The District Administrator and high school principal may establish additional requirements for participation in the graduation activities and may organize said activities to have the appearance and decorum deemed reflective of the District.

Policy Reporting and Review

The principal of the high school shall prepare a report describing the District's policies on high school graduation standards, including a list of courses required under State law and the number of hours in each school term required to earn one (1) credit for those courses. Additionally, any change to the District's policies shall also be reported to the Department of Public Instruction or other appropriate agency after it has been approved by the Board and signed by the Board president, the District Administrator, and the principal.

It shall be the policy of the Board to periodically review and revise this policy specifying the criteria for awarding a diploma.

Revised 10/24/16
Revised 10/21/19
Revised 12/21/20
T.C. 10/23/23
Revised 10/21/24

© Neola 2024