Students may earn a diploma from Fairborn High School by meeting the following requirements:
Complete all Fairborn High School curriculum requirements of twenty-one (21) credits. Fairborn High’s curriculum requirements exceed the number of credits set by the Ohio Department of Education.
Have paid all outstanding school fees and/or debts.
Take and pass the state-designated end-of-course exams (EOCs) -OR- take the state-designated EOCs and qualify for one of three competency options for graduation as set by the Ohio Department of Education.
Earn at least two of the diploma readiness seals, one of which must be Ohio-designated.
Required State Tests (EOCs):
Students must earn a passing score on the state tests listed below as per the competency requirements set by the state of Ohio. Refer to the Ohio High School Graduation Requirements (linked below) for details regarding three additional ways that students can show competency if they have retaken and not passed the two required tests:
● Algebra I
● English Language Arts II
While the two tests above have minimum score requirements as a condition for graduation, students are also required to take the following End-Of-Course (EOC) state tests:
● Geometry 2
● Biology^
● American History*
● American Government*
NOTES:
2 Recent changes to state law direct the Ohio Department of Education to work with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure compliance with federal testing requirements for mathematics. Following these discussions, the geometry EOC test may be eliminated. Until that time, FHS will continue to administer the geometry EOC to students enrolled in a geometry course for the first time and have not already taken the test.
^ All students must take the biology EOC, however, the highest value of a students’ biology EOC, CCP course grade, and/or AP test score will be used towards the Science diploma seal.
*College Credit Plus courses or approved advanced Placement (AP) tests in the subject area will satisfy the EOC test requirement in American history and American government. Students completing CCP courses in American history or American government will not need to take the EOCs in those subjects and will earn credit towards the Citizenship diploma seal based on the letter grade earned.
Diploma Seals: Demonstrating Readiness
In addition to fulfilling curriculum requirements and meeting the competency requirements listed above, students also must show they are prepared for their next steps after high school. State law created 12 diploma seals for students to demonstrate academic, technical, and professional readiness for careers, college, military, or self-sustaining professions. Each seal allows students to demonstrate knowledge and skills essential for future success in their chosen post-high school paths. Students must demonstrate readiness by earning at least two diploma seals, at least one of which must be state defined. Seals help students develop an array of critical skills that are valuable to them as they transition to the next steps after high school. [Note: State law requires districts and schools to develop guidelines for at least one of the locally defined diploma seals.]
Students must satisfy one of these American History options:
Earn a final course grade of “B” or higher in an American History course
Earn a score of proficient or higher on the American History EOC
Earn a score equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test in US History
Earn a “B” or higher in a 3-credit hour American History CCP course.
AND
one of these American Government options:
Earn a final course grade of “B” or higher in an American Government course
Earn a score of proficient or higher on American Government EOC
Earn a score equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test in US Government
Earn a “B” or higher in a 3-credit hour American Government CCP course
NOTE: Students with an IEP who participate in the Ohio Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities may earn the Citizenship Seal by earning a score of Basic on the social studies alternate assessment.
Earn remediation-free scores on the areas of the ACT or SAT listed below.
NOTE: Minimum scores are subject to change – check ODE for updates
ACT SAT
English subscore 18 or higher EBRW* 480 or higher
Reading subscore 22 or higher Math 530 or higher
Math subscore 22 or higher *Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Complete forty (40) hours of community service during high school (grades 9-12) as approved by administration and/or school counselors prior to engagement. In addition to the service hours, the students must meet documentation requirements, including:
1. Completed Community Service Experience Agreement Form before starting to count hours
2. Log of Completed Hours verified by the community organization seal.
Contact your counselor for additional information and for the forms.
Earn 3 Fine Arts credits during grades 9-12;
OR
Earn 2 Fine Arts credits during grades 9-12 and participate in at least one community/school-based fine arts performance separate from the activities or requirements associated with the 2-credits earned. Students will be required to submit verification of participation in any activity completed outside of FHS instructional time. Documentation may include a certificate/letter/award verifying participation by the hosting organization that includes the student’s full name and date as well as photographs or other such verification of the work being displayed a the event.
NOTE: For students who enroll in FHS late in their high school career, one (1) art show participation may be equivalent to two (2) Level 1 semester art classes. All submitted work must be juried by the FHS Art Department and Administration for credit.
Earn one of six Honors Diplomas below (and explained further on [Insert Link]):
1. Academic Honors Diploma;
2. International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma;
3. Career-Tech Honors Diploma;
4. STEM Honors Diploma;
5. Arts Honors Diploma;
6. Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma.
Earn an approved industry-recognized credential that is aligned to a job considered in demand in this state and its regions. For a current list of Industry-Recognized Credentials by career field look here;
OR
Obtain a state-issued license for practice in a vocation that requires an examination.
Contact your counselor for a list of available credentials and any qualifying assessments that must be passed.
Provide evidence of enlistment in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces;
OR
Participate in an approved JROTC program for a minimum of two school years.
Demonstrate proficiency in each of the 14 identified professional skills
Using the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness form document how you have demonstrated these skills at school, work, or in the community
Have each skill validated by at least one of three mentors*
*Mentors must be from at least two different settings. For example, 2 mentors from the community, 1 from work.
Meet the requirements and criteria, including proficiency requirements on assessments in a Foreign Language and English.
Complete three (3) years of meaningful participation during grades 9-12, defined as 80% attendance, in Fairborn High School organizations/clubs, Fairborn High School athletics, or other extracurricular activities approved by administration and/or school counselors. The advisor or coach of the organization must officially verify students’ 80% attendance via membership/team rosters.
Complete the Student Engagement Form and return to your counselor.
Students must satisfy at least one of these options:
Earn a final course grade of “B” or higher in an Advanced Science course
Earn a score of proficient or higher on the Biology EOC
Earn a score equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate science test
OR
Earn a “B” or higher in a CCP science course.
NOTE: Students with an IEP who participate in the Ohio Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities may earn the Science Seal by earning a score of Basic on the science alternate assessment.
Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test;
OR
Earn a final course grade of “B” or higher in an appropriate CCP technology course;
OR
Complete a technology course that meets criteria established by ODE. (NOTE: Schools are not required to offer a course that meets those guidelines.)
FHS Graduation Curriculum Requirements
The Fairborn Board of Education mandates that at the time of graduation each student will have fulfilled all state testing, academic and financial obligations. A good school record is the best recommendation an applicant can offer, either to a college or to a job. A record of good personal behavior and cooperation will be expected.
Courses
English
Including: English 9, English 10, English 11, and English 12 or more advanced study
Mathematics
Including: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (or Alg 2 alternative), and one additional credit of math
Science
Including: 1 Biological Science, 1 Physical Science, and 1 Advanced Science course
Social Studies
Including: World Studies, American Studies, and American Government
Visual Arts and/or Performing Arts
If 2 semesters are successfully completed in grades 7/8, then substitute any other elective(s)
Health
Physical Education
Personal Financial Literacy
Electives
Total Required Credits
Required Credits
4
4
3
3
1
.5
.5
.5
4.5
21
Recommended Credits Include:
Subject Area College-Prep Career-Technical Prep
English 4+ credits 4+ credits
Math 4+ credits 4+ credits
Science 4+ credits 3+ credits
Physical Education ½ credit ½ credit
Health ½ credit ½ credit
Social Studies 4+ credits 3+ credits
Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and/or Applied Arts 2+ credits 3+ credits
Foreign Language 2+ credits
Four-Year Plan: It is recommended that each student develop a four-year plan and revise it each year as a means to help ensure that graduation requirements are being addressed each year. A worksheet is available [Insert link] for students to use as a tool to develop such a plan and to track their own progress.
Early Graduation
Early graduation is an option for students who will complete all graduation requirements in less than four school years. If circumstances exist which seem to warrant early graduation, the principal, after careful consideration and discussions with the parents or guardians, the student and the counselor, may grant permission for early graduation.
● Requests for early graduation must be made in writing by the parents/guardians to the principal by December 15 for a spring or summer graduation. The school cannot guarantee that a diploma and cap and gown can be ordered and delivered in time for students to participate in the graduation ceremony if these deadlines are not met.
● Students’ final rankings will be with the class in which they graduate.
● Students who graduate in the summer may receive their diplomas in the principal’s office, or they may request to participate in the next year’s graduation ceremony.
● Upon graduation, students are no longer eligible to participate in school-sponsored activities.
Enrolling with Transfer Credits
Transfer credits and grades for secondary school courses earned by a student in other chartered Ohio schools or schools approved or accredited by the Department of Education in another state will be accepted by Fairborn City Schools. Credits will be awarded according to guidelines established by the Ohio Department of Education and Fairborn City Schools.
Credit for religious courses cannot be counted toward the minimum number of credits required for a Fairborn High School diploma.
Honors credit and/or honors credit GPA weights will only be transferred to FHS for those courses that are offered for honors credit/weighting at Fairborn High School.
Credits from non-chartered schools and schools in foreign countries will be evaluated by the principal and may or may not be accepted based on the following:
Criteria for such determination will include the number of days the school was in session, length of the official school day, the number of scheduled meetings per course and the clock hours per year for each course, as well as course content.
The principal also may request evidence that the courses were taught by teachers holding properly validated certificates from the appropriate state education agency.
The principal may consider the student’s past academic history, including courses taken, grades earned and the results of standardized and criterion-referenced testing. The principal may require additional testing to determine the best educational placement for the student.
Home-Educated students enrolling at Fairborn High School are subject to the following:
The parents or guardians will provide official grade reports/transcripts for any previously completed high school level courses as well as results of any recognized standardized achievement test taken within three months prior to enrolling in Fairborn City Schools.
The student may be required to take a final exam for a corresponding course to determine placement for leveled courses.
For courses that are accepted for credit, the student will receive a grade of “Pass” with a “home education” notation on the transcript. These courses will not be calculated into the grade point average (GPA).
Enrolling from/Withdrawing to Home Education
Home education is defined as the education of a child, between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age, that is directed by the child’s parent/guardian. Within five (5) calendar days of starting home education, moving into a new school district, or withdrawing from a public or nonpublic school, the parents or guardian must notify the superintendent of the student’s district of residence. This notice must include the following:
The parent’s or guardian’s name and address
The child’s name
An assurance that the child will receive education in the required subject areas.
Notice of ongoing home education must be provided to the superintendent of the child’s district of residence by August 30 of each year.
A student enrolling into a public school after a period of home education shall be placed into the appropriate grade level based on the district’s policies.
A child may be subject to Ohio Revised Code regarding truancy if at any time there is evidence that a receiving home education is not receiving education in the required subject areas.
The withdrawal date for students withdrawn to home education will be the date the school received the parent/guardian written notice to the district. Note that this date may not be the same as the student’s last day of attendance at the district of the student’s first day of home education.
Withdrawing from School
Withdraw Procedure:
The custodial parent/legal guardian must meet with the guidance secretary to complete the official withdrawal forms to indicate where the student is moving. Ideally, the school should be notified at least one day prior to a student’s last full day of attendance so that grades can be finalized and the textbooks, Chromebook (including charger and case), and outstanding fees can be collected. The office will give the student a “withdrawal form” to take to all teachers and other offices for signatures verifying that the student has returned textbooks, library books, and other school-issued items.
Students should empty their lockers. The school is not responsible for any items left in lockers.
All outstanding debts for lost books, fines, and class fees must be paid upon withdrawal in the finance office during regular school hours. The finance office accepts cash, money order, personal check, certified check, or credit card.
Students return the withdrawal form that all the teachers have signed to the guidance secretary.
Student records will be sent to the new school electronically once FHS receives a records request from the new school.