There are three diplomas that you should know about: Core 40, Academic Honors, and Technical Honors. The Core 40 is the basic diploma, and requires 40 credits. A credit is earned by passing one semester of a class. A full year of Algebra I, for instance, is two credits. A semester of photography would be only one credit.

The Indiana Department of Education has made the following graphic to help people understand the diploma requirements. Take a look at the graphic, and then we will break it down to help you understand it.

There are three other areas that have requirements:

DIRECTED ELECTIVES - This are electives specifically from the areas of art, music, theater, foreign languages, are career/vocational classes. You need 5 credits from this.

HEALTH - 1 credit: For students at MJHS, this is earned in 8th grade.

PE - 2 credits: This can be earned in class, or by playing sports or being in marching band. If you want to earn this credit through extracurricular activities, you have to fill out a form and turn it into the counselor BEFORE the sport begins. Also, there are some journaling requirements to complete during the sport. One seasons of sports earns you one credit.

Finally, once you have filled all of these requirements, you need to take enough classes to get to 40 credits.

The first requirement for academic honors is to earn the Core 40. Once you have done that, there are a few more requirements. First, you need eight TOTAL math credits. They do not have to all be earned in high school. If you earn six in high school and two in 8th grade, that satisfies the eight math credits for the honors diploma.

Second, you need to study some foreign language. You have two options. You can two years of one language and two years of another, or you can take three years of one language. For example, you could take three years of Spanish and be done. Or you could do two years of Spanish and two years of French.

Third, you need two fine arts credits. This can be introduction to art, photography, sculpture, choir, band, piano, theater, etc. You just need two credits of fine art.

Next, it requires you to take be ready for college by taking AP or college courses or scoring high on a college entrance exam. You have to do ONE of the following:

• Earn 4 credits from AP courses and take at least two AP exams -or-

• Earn 6 college credits from the approved dual credit list -or-

• Earn 2 AP credits, take an AP exam, and earn 3 college credits -or-

• Get a 1750 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT.

Finally, every credit counted toward you academic honors has to have a grade of C or better. If you get a D on a required class, you have to retake it if you want the honors diploma. Also, your final GPA has to be 3.0 or better.

The first requirement for technical honors is to earn the Core 40. Once you have done that, there are a few more requirements. First, you have to complete 6 credits in a state approved career path. At the end of that path, you need to pass a test showing that you can work in the industry, or you need to have earned at least 6 college credits in that path.

Besides completed a career bath, you have to do ONE of the following:

• Earn 4 credits from AP courses and take at least two AP exams -or-

• Earn 6 college credits from the approved dual credit list -or-

• Earn 2 AP credits, take an AP exam, and earn 3 college credits -or-

• Get a 1750 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT. -or-

• Pass the Accuplacer or Compass tests

Finally, every credit counted toward you technical honors has to have a grade of C or better. If you get a D on a required class, you have to retake it if you want the honors diploma. Also, your final GPA has to be 3.0 or better.