Graduation

It is possible for a student to fulfill all graduation requirements in less than four years; however, it is not recommended for most students. Students who are interested in this option should schedule an appointment with their school counselor. An Early Graduation application must be completed by the student and parent/guardian prior to being considered. This application is due on October 1st of each academic year. 

High schools uniformly determine the official class rankings of students based on the grade point ratios (“GPRs”) of students in grade twelve, i.e., seniors, including students considered to be in grade twelve (see “Acceleration of students in grades nine through twelve”). GPRs are calculated after seniors’ grades are finalized at the end of the school year, i.e., at the conclusion of the fourth nine-weeks grading period or after the first term if the student is a January graduate. January graduates will not be included in the final rank. These final class rankings for seniors are computed in order to achieve the following Latin honors designations: 

·  Students with a weighted GPR* of 4.750 or higher on the S.C. uniform grading scale will be recognized as Summa Cum Laude graduates. 

·  Students with a weighted GPR* of 4.250 or higher, but less than 4.750, will be recognized as Magna Cum Laude graduates. 

·  Students with a weighted GPR* of 3.750 or higher, but less than 4.250, will be recognized as Cum Laude graduates. 

*Weighted GPR calculations are based up on the S.C. Uniform Grading Policy’s three decimal-point scale, and computations will not be rounded up.

Honors graduates will be recognized at each district high school graduation ceremony in the following manner: 

·  A notation indicating honor status (i.e., Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude) will be inserted by the graduate’s name in the high school’s graduation program. 

·  The high school will announce the honor graduate’s level of recognition (i.e., Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude) when the graduate walks across the stage. 

·  District-wide, a uniform color-coding system will be used for the honor cords awarded to honor graduates. The color coding is as follows: 

 Summa Cum Laude

green and gold

Magna Cum Laude

green and silver 

Cum Laude 

green and bronze

January Graduation is an option for students who opt to graduate in January of their senior year. Interested students should schedule an appointment with their counselor prior to the spring of their junior year. A January Graduation application must be completed by the student and parent/guardian prior to being considered. This application is due on October 1st of each academic year. 

Please keep the following in mind: 

~January Graduates will not receive a final rank. 

~January Graduates will be awarded a diploma through the base high school as soon as it is issued by the SCDE. 

~January Graduates lose all privileges associated with being a student. The January Graduate will not be allowed on campus during the instructional day without an appointment with a school counselor. January Graduates may not attend any function that is designed for active students. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the prom, the academic awards ceremony, the senior celebration, any base school or academy senior recognition ceremony, etc. 

~January Graduates will be allowed to participate in the graduation practice and ceremony (please note: Graduation practice is required for participation in the graduation ceremony). 

~January Graduates will be eligible to begin a post-secondary education program and receive all scholarships for which they are eligible. 

~January Graduates will need to contact the appropriate vendor directly to secure graduation supplies. 

The fact that a student has met with his/her school counselor, examined his/her transcript, and determined that the necessary units to graduate have been completed, does not ensure that the student has the necessary units to attend a four-year college. It merely means the student is eligible for high school graduation. 

The South Carolina Department of Education Honors Award is granted to seniors who:

~Are eligible for graduation with a state high school diploma.

~Complete 24 units of credit as prescribed.  Of the 24 units earned, 18 must be college preparatory coursework, four units in additional electives, and two units in one or more of the following: English, science, social studies, or math.

~Receive a minimum grade of “B” for each semester course in grades 9-12 through the 7th semester.

~Achieve either a score of 710 or higher on the SAT verbal, a score of 690 or higher  on the SAT math, a score of 30 or higher on the ACT English, or a score of 33 or higher on the ACT math.

~Have a combined score of 1400 on the SAT verbal and math sections or an ACT composite of 31. 

Students enrolled in South Carolina high schools shall have the opportunity to earn graduation Seals of Distinction within each high school diploma pathway that identifies a particular area of focus.

The earning of a graduation seal(s) shall be based upon the following criteria:

• Students shall meet all requirements set forth in State Board Policy R43-234: State Graduation Requirements related to earning a high school diploma.

• Students may earn one or more Seals of Distinction including an Honors Seal, College Seal, Career Seal, Specialization Seal (with focus areas in the following: STEM, World Language, Arts, and Military).

• English I, II, III, IV or their course equivalents (Customized English I, II, III, IV), or higher level substitutes (AP, IB, or Dual Credit) must be taken to earn all Seals of Distinction.

• Students are not required to earn a Seal of Distinction in order to receive a diploma.