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-five (25) 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.

Students with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP) must complete the test but are not required to pass the test in order to graduate. A limited-English proficient student must be afforded the opportunity to take the civics test in the student’s language of choice. The civics test required also applies to a student who is seeking a general education diploma (GED) or high school equivalency diploma.

A student must also have participated in curriculum related to financial literacy.

Students who have participated in interscholastic athletics, for at least one (1) full season as defined in the student handbook, while enrolled in grades nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11) or twelve (12), and as documented by the athletic director and approved by the principal, may be excused from one-half (1/2) credit of the high school physical education requirement, provided they take an additional one-half (1/2) credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education, at their choosing.

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 s. 115.28(7)(e)1) 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 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 pupil 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 of the core required course areas of English, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, or health.

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.

The Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in this District who meets the requirements of graduation established by this Board as provided by State law.

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) or a certificate of attendance.

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.

Graduation Activities and Ceremony

A student may be denied participation in graduation activities for disciplinary reasons and 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.

Early Graduation

The Board of Education acknowledges that some students are pursuing educational goals that include graduation from high school at an earlier date than their designated class.

Application for early graduation will be submitted to the high school principal in writing in accordance with school regulations. The principal may honor this request if all conditions for graduation are met and the student fulfills the graduation requirements.

Parents and students must meet with the Board of Education.

There will be no early release granted for any other reasons than to attend an institution of higher education, to enter military service, or to address other life-altering events as supported by administration.

The student may participate in the graduation ceremonies with his/her designated class.

Revised 9/27/11
Revised 7/24/12
Revised 12/7/15
Revised 12/16/19
Revised 03/03/25

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