Graduation Requirements

(Students beginning  high school in the Fall of 2009)

Regular Diploma- Awarded to students who have earned the prescribed 28 credits and have a satisfactory record of attendance and discipline.

*The additional ½ credit in Physical Education may be met by completing a Physical Education course (in addition to Lifetime Wellness) or by substituting a documented and equivalent time (minimum of 65 hours) of physical activity in school sponsored activities such as marching band, JROTC, cheerleading, dance, interscholastic athletics and other areas pre-approved by the local board of education.

**The elective focus may be CTE (3 courses in the same CTE program area), science and math, humanities, fine arts, AP/IB, or other areas approved by the local board of education. Courses taken as part of the core subject requirement may not be used to fulfill the elective focus requirement.

***Students not planning to attend university may waive the two units of world language and one unit of fine/performing arts to expand and enhance their elective focus.

****Total credits required for graduation is 4 credits less than the potential number available in the master schedule of the student’s school (or schools) during the four school years following the student’s entry into 9^th grade.

Transition Certificate -Awarded at the end of their fourth year of high school to students with disabilities who have 1) taken classes toward a high school diploma (28 credits), 2) have satisfactorily completed an individualized education program, and 3) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct. Students who obtain the transition certificate may continue to work towards the high school diploma through the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two years old.

IEP Certificate - Awarded to students with disabilities who have 1) satisfactorily completed an individualized education program, 2) successfully completed a portfolio, and 3) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct.

Honors Diploma - Students who score at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT will graduate with honors. The ACT benchmarks are: ACT English- 18, ACT Math- 22, ACT Reading- 21, ACT Science Reasoning- 24

Graduating With Distinction - Students will be recognized as graduating with “distinction” by attaining a B (3.0) average and completing at least one of the following:

• Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
• Participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools
• Participate in one of the state’s AllState musical organizations
• Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
• Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT
• Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams
• Earn 12 or more semester hours or transcripted postsecondary credit

                                   Student Planning Guide

(Students beginning high school in the Fall of 2009)

Core Courses                                                   Credit Earned                                                        Enrolled

English I                                             ____________                                 _________

English II                                            ____________                                 _________

English III                                           ____________                                 _________

English IV                                          ____________                                 _________

Algebra I                                            ____________                                 _________

Geometry                                           ____________                                 _________

Algebra II                                           ____________                                 _________

4^th/Higher Math                                 ____________                                 _________

Biology                                               ____________                                 _________

Chemistry or Physics                       ____________                                 _________

Additional Lab Science                   ____________                                 _________

World History or Geography           ____________                                 _________

US History                              ____________                        _________

US Government                     ____________                        _________

Economics                                        _____________                                __________

Lifetime Wellness                             _____________                                 __________

Additional Phys. Educ. or               _____________                                 ___________

   documented physical

   activity (1/2 credit)

Personal Finance (1/2 credit)         ____________                                 _________

Elective Focus (Select one focus area- 3 credits)

• Career and Technical Educ.           _______________                                             ___________
• Science and Math                             
• Humanities                                          _______________                                             ___________
• Fine Arts
• AP Courses                                         _______________                                             ___________

University Admissions Requirements (for students intending to enroll in a college or university after high school graduation. Students not intending to enroll in a college or university are not required to take these classes.)

World Language 1                           ____________                                 __________

World Language 2                           ____________                                 __________

Fine/Performing Art                          ____________                                 __________

Unspecified Elective Credits   ____________                                 __________

 (approximately 6-9 credits)

CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION = 28

         GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND TYPES OF DIPLOMAS

                                                                 (Class of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

REGULAR DIPLOMA: A regular Tennessee diploma is awarded to students who have a satisfactory record of attendance and conduct; have passed the Gateway exams in three (3) subjects; and have either a satisfactorily completed Individualized Education Program (IEP) certified by a multi-disciplinary team, or a specified number of units of scholastic credit in grades 9 through 12 according to the following pattern:

HIGH SCHOOL CERTIFICATE - A High School Certificate is awarded to students who lack passing scores on the Gateway Exams but otherwise meet the attendance, conduct, and scholastic credit requirements of the regular Diploma.  The Certificate may be exchanged for a regular Diploma at any time the student retakes and passes the Gateway exams.

DIPLOMA OF SPECIALIZED EDUCATION - This diploma is awarded to students who lack passing scores on the Gateway Exams but who complete an Individualized Education Program (IEP) certified by a multi-disciplinary team and who attain an acceptable record of attendance and conduct.  The Diploma of Specialized Education may be exchanged for a regular Diploma at any time the student retakes and passes the Gateway Exams.

TENNESSEE SCHOLARS - Students have the opportunity to be designated as Tennessee Scholars by completing a prescribed course of study, maintaining a “C” average in all Tennessee Scholars courses, and successful passing of all State assessments.

(Due to the lack of state funding the Tennessee Scholars Program is no longer available – Fall 2009)