NEPN/NSBA Code:  IKF

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The School Committee recognizes the need to establish minimum standards for awarding a high school diploma that are consistent with state law and regulations and with community educational values and expectations. 

Before entering high school, students need to know the standards for attaining a high school diploma in order to plan an appropriate, sequential, educational program to meet that goal. 

The superintendent, through the high school principal and other designee, shall be responsible for making accurate information concerning diploma requirements available to incoming students and their parents prior to the start of their ninth grade school year. A copy of this policy will be disseminated to all incoming ninth-grade students at the time of course selection. This policy will also be included in every edition of the high school student handbook. 

I. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA 

Diplomas will be awarded to students who meet the following minimum requirements. 

A.  The student must successfully complete a total of 24 credits. Of these credits, 15 ½ (fifteen and one-half) must be from the following list: 

1.   English/language arts – 4 credits; 

2.  Mathematics – 3 credits; 

3.  Social studies and history, including one year of American history and government – 3 credits; 

4.  Science (including at least two years of lab study) – 3 credits; 

5.  Visual and Performing arts,– 1 credit; 

6.  Health – ½ credit; and 

7.  Physical education – 1 credit. 

B. The remaining credits may be selected by the student based upon the student’s interests, abilities, and the requirements of the field that the student plans to enter upon graduation. 

A student who is deficient in these requirements may meet these requirements through a post-secondary course, a state-approved adult education course, a distance learning course or correspondence course, approved by the school principal in advance of registration. The student may participate in the next regular graduation ceremony following successful completion of the requirements. 

At the principal’s discretion, a student who leaves Lewiston High School to attend an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education may, upon satisfactory completion of the freshman year, be awarded a diploma. 

II. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE AWARDING OF STANDARDS-BASED DIPLOMAS 

A.  Transfer Students: For students who transfer to Lewiston High School from another state or educational program, the school principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience towards achieving the standards in a manner consistent with the school unit’s applicable School Committee policies. 

B.  Early Awarding of Diplomas: A student who has met the state and School Committee diploma requirements in fewer than four years of high school may be awarded a diploma. 

C.  Extended Study: Students are eligible for extended years of study to complete the requirements of a diploma if they have not reached the age of 20 by July 1st. Students eligible for extended years of study may be referred to adult education or other resources suitable to young learners. Extended study for students with disabilities shall be specified in the student’s Individualized Education Plan. 

D.  Participation in Graduation Ceremony: A student must complete all requirements for a high school diploma or successfully meet the requirements as specified in the goals and objectives of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) in order to be eligible to participate in graduation exercises. The Principal may approve Foreign Exchange students participating in all graduation activities, except receipt of a signed diploma. 

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §4722 

Ch. 12 §§7.02 (Me. Dept. of Educ. Rule) (reference for publication and distribution of diploma requirements only) 

Cross Reference: IKFA – Early Graduation 

ILA – Testing and Assessment of Students (Local Assessment System) 

Adopted: June 30, 2003 

Revised: August 30, 2004 

Corrected: December 3, 2004 

Revised: July 25, 2005 

Revised August 28, 2006

Reviewed: September 10, 2012 

Revised: August 19, 2013 

Revised: November 7, 2016 

Revised: May 6, 2019