Graduation Requirements

Foundation Graduation Plan with Endorsement

Distinguished Level of Achievement

To earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement a student must go beyond the Foundation High School program. It requires 26 course credits to include four credits in math which includes Algebra 2, a fourth science credit and an Endorsement. A student must earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement to be eligible for the Top 10% Automatic Admission to a Texas Public University.

MVHS Performance Acknowledgement

Students who will graduate with a Foundations Diploma may be eligible to receive recognition on their transcript for outstanding performance in the following areas:

  • In a dual credit course – At least 12 dual credit hours as part of Texas core curriculum or advanced technical credit with a grade of 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale.

  • In bilingualism and biliteracy – demonstrate proficiency in any two or more languages. There are two separate tracks

      • Complete all requirements for graduation under the Foundation Diploma Program.

      • Complete ELA requirements and maintain a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; and satisfy ONE of the following:

            • Complete a minimum of three credits in the same language in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or

            • Demonstrate proficiency in the TEKS for level IV or higher in a language other than English with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100; or

            • Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English through the method of scoring a 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement exam for a language other than English.

      • In addition to meeting the requirements listed above, English Language Learners (ELL) Students must have:

            • participated in and met the exit criteria for a Bilingual or ESL program; and

            • scored at the Advance High level on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).

  • On an AP test, score of a 3 or better

  • On the PSAT/NMSQT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT

      • PSAT/NMSQT Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, National Achievement Scholar; or

      • ACT Aspire college readiness in 3 of 5 subject test; or

      • SAT combined Critical Reading and Math of at least 1310; or

      • ACT composite of 28 (excluding the writing subscore)

  • Earn a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

      • Examination performance to obtain national or international business or industry certification; or

      • Examination performance to obtain government-required credential to practice a profession

Endorsements

A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing the curriculum requirements for the Foundation Diploma Program: to include a total of four credits in mathematics, four credits in science, and a minimum of 26 high school credits.

STEM

  • A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

  • Diploma Program must include Algebra II, Chemistry and Physics

  • CTE courses with a final course from the STEM career cluster

  • Computer science

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Engineering

  • A combination of no more than two of the categories listed above

Business and Industry

  • A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

  • CTE courses with a final course from the Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts, Audio/Video, Technology & Communications; Business Management & Administration; Finance; Hospitality & Tourism; Information Technology; Manufacturing, Marketing; Transportation, or Distribution & Logistics CTE career cluster

  • The following English electives: Professional Communications, debate, advanced broadcast journalism including newspaper and/or yearbook

  • Technology applications

  • A combination of credits from the categories listed above

Public Services

  • A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

  • CTE courses with a final course from the Education & Training or Government & Public Administration

  • JROTC

Arts and Humanities

  • A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

  • Social studies

  • The same language in Languages Other Than English

  • Two levels in each of two language in Languages Other Than English

  • American Sign Language (ASL)

  • Courses from one or two categories (art, dance, music, and theater) in fine arts

  • English electives that are not part of Business and Industry

Multidisciplinary Studies

  • A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

  • Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and chemistry and/or physics

  • Four credits in AP, IB, or dual credit selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine arts