Graduation Requirements
Grade Promotion Requirements
The minimum number of credits needed to be promoted to each grade level are as follows:
Grade 10 = 5 credits
Grade 11 = 11 credits
Grade 12 = 17 credits
Diploma Requirements
A total of 24 credits are needed for a high school diploma for any student graduating from a DOE Hawaii school.
Some subject areas have specific courses that are required for a diploma.
Personal Transition Plan is a half-credit (0.5) elective that is earned through Advisory class over four years. The credit is awarded to students after the first semester of their senior year.
Do your part to keep track of your credits.
Log into your Infinite Campus account to view a list of courses for which you have earned credit. Also keep track of which courses you still need to earn your diploma.
Honors Recognition Certificate Requirements
In order to qualify for any of the three honors recognition certificates described below, students must also meet the requirements for the Hawai`i High School Diploma and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above..
Academic Honors:
4 credits of Math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start/Early College math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level
4 credits of Science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses
2 credits minimum must be from AP/IB/Running Start/Early College courses (equivalent to credits for two college courses).
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the 3rd quarter of your senior year.
CTE Honors
Complete a program of study in a CTE pathway.
Earn a grade of B or better in each required program of study (coursework). Courses must have been taken sequentially and not in the same year.
Successful completion of a Capstone Project in your CTE pathway. (Consult your CTE elective teacher for more detailed information).
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the 3rd quarter of your senior year.
STEM Honors
4 credits of Math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start/Early College math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level
4 credits of Science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses
Successful completion of a STEM Capstone Project in one of the approved ACCN courses. (Consult your IET elective teacher for more detailed information).
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the 3rd quarter of your senior year.
Valedictorian
To earn the status of Valedictorian, students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.0 and one of the Honor Recognition Certificates (Academic, CTE or STEM). Successful attainment of GPA and course requirements will be determined after the third quarter of senior year.
MCKINLEY HONOR GRADUATES
Students who earn the status of McKinley Honor Graduate are recognized on the day of graduation commencement by being placed in the middle, on the stairs, and by wearing a gold stole.
McKinley Honor Graduates must earn the following:
- Academic Honors Certificate
- CTE Honors or STEM Honors Certificate
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.500
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded upon graduation to students who demonstrate a high proficiency in:
Our State's two official languages of Hawaiian and English; or
Either of our State's two official languages and at least one additional language.
Eligibility Criteria
Must be a graduating senior enrolled in a Hawai`i public or charter school.
Demonstrate a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) upon graduation.
Successfully complete courses required for English Language Arts or Hawaiian Language Arts for a high school graduation diploma with a minimum 3.0 GPA upon graduation
Attain requisite score for one or more of the following world language requirements:
AP Language exam: a score of "3" or above. (AP exams are available in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish).
Hawai`i State Department of Education online language assessment: a score of "5" or above. (Available languages include Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Chin (Hakha), Chuukese, Czech, English, French, German, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ilocano, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese (simplified and traditional), Marathi, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Samoan, Somali Maay Maay, Somali Maxaa, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yup'ik).
American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI); a score of 2 or above.
For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy, please email Ms. Panquites at lisa.panquites@k12.hi.us.