A minimum of 25 credits must be earned in grades 9 through 12 to receive a Maryland High School Diploma. Students must be enrolled at least four years beyond grade 8 unless a formal waiver is granted by the Superintendent of Schools.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:
4 English Credits (One Each Year)
4 Mathematics Credits (One Each Year)
• 1 credit must be Algebra I
• 1 credit must be Geometry
* A student must take one math credit per year beyond grade 8.*
4 Social Studies Credits (One Each Year)
• 1 Government
• 1 World History
• 1 US History or AP US History
• 1 Contemporary World Studies, Intro to Personal Finance, AP US Government, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AP US History, CC Intro to Psychology or CC Intro to Sociology
*A student must take one social studies credit per year beyond grade 8.*
3 Science Credits
• 1 credit must be in Biology
1 Physical Education Credit
• .5 credit must be in Personal Fitness
1 Health Education Credit
1 Technology Education Credit
6 Electives
Completion of the following:
- World Language (2) and/or - Advanced Technology (2) and/or - Career & Technical Education Completer Program (4-10)
- A second math or social studies credit earned in the year may count as an elective. Make-up credits, pending availability, must be earned through county-approved options.
To meet the graduation requirement, students enrolled in the courses highlighted below must:
• Government: pass the course AND pass the HSA test, the HSA re-test, or the Bridge Plan;
• Science: pass the courses AND participate in MISA;
• Algebra I: pass the course AND pass the MCAP test, the MCAP re-test, or the Bridge Plan*;
• English 10: pass the course AND pass the MCAP test, the MCAP re-test, or the Bridge Plan*.
*Students may meet the Algebra I and English 10 requirements by achieving a 1450 combined score on the two assessments.
To strengthen areas of weakness, Appropriate Assistance will be available to students who do not meet the assessment criteria.
Modified High School Assessments (Mod-HSA) will be administered to a small number of identified students with specific disabilities and modified academic goals.
Results of the High School Assessments are recorded on students’ report cards and transcripts. *Transfer student requirements may differ based upon first time 9th grade enrollment.
For more information, visit www.mdk12.org.
All students must complete the graduation requirement in service learning.
The requirement will be met by successful completion of infused service learning units in grades 6 through 9, or a service learning course in grades 11 or 12.
Transfer students entering grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 will be required to complete the subsequent units upon enrollment in the Cecil County Public Schools (e.g., a student who transferred into the Cecil County Public Schools in grade 7 would be required to complete the service learning units in grades 7, 8, and 9 to meet the graduation requirement).
Transfer students need to meet one of the following:
• proof of previous satisfactory service learning; or
• satisfactory completion of the service learning course; or
• satisfactory completion of an approved service learning project co-planned by the student and the building level Service Learning Coordinator.
High school credit will be granted for the following mathematics courses taken in middle school: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
The grade earned will not be used in the calculation of the high school grade point average nor will the credits earned count toward the high school mathematics requirements. Students must still complete one credit of mathematics per year in the high school. High school credit will also be granted for high school courses taken in middle school.
The grade earned will not be used in the calculation of the high school grade point average. If the credit is world language it will count toward one of the two sequential courses needed for the world language completer program.
Students planning to attend college should note that most colleges do not recognize high school credits earned in middle school. These students should complete at least two (2) sequential world language credits while in grades 9 through 12 in order to meet college admission requirements.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does not accept high school credits earned while in a middle school.
--- Please contact your student's School Counselor if you have any further questions regarding graduation requirements. ---
The goal of the certificate program is to use all available resources to ensure that students are able to enter the workplace and become responsible, productive citizens. The Maryland High School Certificate is awarded to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma.
A student with a disability may be considered for the Maryland High School Certificate if he/she:
• meets the criteria for taking the Alternate Maryland Assessment (Alt-MSA); or
• is enrolled in an educational program for at least 4 years beyond grade 8 or its age equivalent, and is determined by an IEP team, with the agreement of the parents of the student, to have developed appropriate skills for the individual to enter the world of work, to act responsibly as a citizen, and to enjoy a fulfilling life in the world of work including, but not limited to: (a) gainful employment, (b) work activity centers, (c) sheltered workshops, and (d) supported employment ; or
• has been enrolled in an educational program for 4 years beyond grade 8 or its age equivalent and will have reached the age of 21 by the end of his/her current school year.