FHS Graduation Requirements

Students may earn a diploma from Fairborn High School by meeting the following requirements: 

1. 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. 

2. Have paid all outstanding school fees and/or debts.

3. 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.

4. Earn at least two of the diploma readiness seals, one of which must be Ohio-designated.

Ohio High School Graduation Requirements - Classes of 2023 and Beyond

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.]

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.

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.

1. Credit for religious courses cannot be counted toward the minimum number of credits required for a Fairborn High School diploma.

2. 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:

1. 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.

2. The principal also may request evidence that the courses were taught by teachers holding properly validated certificates from the appropriate state education agency.

3. 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:

1. 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.

2. The student may be required to take a final exam for a corresponding course to determine placement for leveled courses.

3. 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:

1. 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.

2. Students should empty their lockers.  The school is not responsible for any items left in lockers.  

3. 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.

4. Students return the withdrawal form that all the teachers have signed to the guidance secretary.

5. Student records will be sent to the new school electronically once FHS receives a records request from the new school.