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.

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.

For more information, seniors should see Ms. Panquites in Rm. A127.

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