Pathways to Graduation

1. Participate in academic planning meetings with a school counselor.

2. Enroll in coursework that will help to achieve your educational goals.

3. Parents/Guardians must review and approve the Academic Plan.

4. Take the ACT with Writing during junior year, at no cost. Students pursuing the Alternative Diploma* will take the NAA instead.

5. Earn a diploma.

* Students with significant cognitive disabilities may earn the Alternative Diploma through participation in the Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA) instead of the ACT. This diploma is included in a school’s graduation rate, and students remain eligible for IDEA services until their 22nd birthday.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) strives to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and in the workforce by providing a rigorous curriculum. The Core Enrollment Expectations are consistent with Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 389.018 and aligned with the State of Nevada Millennium Scholarship minimum core curriculum requirements. To meet the requirements set forth by the Nevada State Board of Education, all students are enrolled in the Core Enrollment Areas of Study.

Core Enrollment Areas of Study                                                  Units

English                                                                                                      4

Mathematics (including Algebra II or higher)                        4

Natural Science                                                                                          3

Social Studies and History                                                                  3

Total                                                                                                                     14

Students who successfully complete the Core Enrollment Expectations outlined above with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 may qualify for the State of Nevada Millennium Scholarship. Please see your school counselor for more information about the State of Nevada Millennium Scholarship.

SOURCES: NRS 389.018, Nevada Board of Regents, Nevada Treasurer’s Office

Required: College and Career Readiness Assessment

The College and Career Readiness Assessment (ACT with Writing) is a requirement for graduation. Juniors will take the ACT in spring of the junior year at no cost. It is recommended that all students take the ACT in the spring of the junior year. Some colleges/universities will use an ACT score for placement in college courses. Finally, some universities determine scholarship eligibility based on ACT and/or SAT results.

Students attending college/university in Nevada can earn the Millennium Scholarship after successfully completing the core curriculum and earning at least a 21 composite score on the ACT. For more information, please see the Nevada Scholarships section of this guide.

SOURCE: CCSD Regulation 5127, NRS 390.610

Optional: ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

The ACT NCRC is a portable, evidence-based credential that certifies the essential skills for workplace success. Employers look for it from job candidates because it is a valid predictor of job performance. Students that earn a Silver or above for the ACT NCRC credential will also meet one of the qualifications for the College and Career Ready Diploma. Please contact your school counselor with additional questions.

Optional: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The United States Department of Defense developed this test to administer to students all over the country. The test is typically scheduled during the school day and is normally at no cost to the student. Score reports received after taking the test can be useful in determining college and career pathways. This test is typically taken in Grades 10–12. Students that earn a Military Entrance Score (or AFQT) of 50 or above will also meet one of the qualifications for the College and Career Ready Diploma. Please contact your school counselor with additional questions.

Optional: SAT

The SAT is used by many colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice test administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure college readiness by providing colleges with common scores to compare all students. Free online test preparation is available through Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). This test is typically taken during the spring of Grade 11 and fall of Grade 12. There is a cost associated with this exam, but fee waivers may be available to those that qualify. Students that earn scores of 480 in Reading and 530 in Math will also meet one of the qualifications for the College and Career Ready Diploma. Please contact your school counselor with additional questions.

Students attending college/university in Nevada can earn the Millennium Scholarship for completing the core curriculum and earning a combined reading, writing, and math score of 1070 or higher. For more information, please see the Nevada Scholarships section of this guide.

PSAT/NMSQT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great way to prepare for the SAT. Scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. Score reports received after taking the test can be useful in determining which Advanced Placement (AP) coursework may be appropriate during high school. Free online test preparation is available through Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). This test is typically taken in Grades 08, 10, and 11. The examinations for students in Grades 08 and 10 are at no cost. Please contact your school counselor with additional questions.

(a) Students with significant cognitive disabilities may earn the Alternative Diploma through participation in the NAA* instead of the ACT. The Alternative Diploma is included in a school’s graduation rate, and students remain eligible for IDEA* services until their 22nd birthday.

(b) The Advanced Honors Diploma is based on the Advanced Diploma and requires 12 of the 24 credits to be Honors or higher in the following credit categories: English (3), Mathematics (2), Science (2), Social Studies (2), Foreign Language (1), and any other Credit Category (2). This diploma will continue to be an option for students through the Cohort of 2025. CCSD Regulation 5127.

(c) Additional College and Career Ready Diploma requirements:

• One (1) of the mathematics credits must be Algebra II or higher, and

• Proficiency in two languages, or two (2) credits in: AP* courses, IB* courses, Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit courses, a CTE* program of study, Work-Based Learning courses, or a world language course, and

• Earn a College-Ready endorsement or a Career-Ready endorsement, or earn both.

(d) CCSD students must take World History or Geography to earn either the Arts/Humanities/CTE credit for the Standard Diploma or the World History/Geography credit for the other diplomas.

(e) Flex Credits are: a 2nd or 3rd year CTE* course, or a 4th year of mathematics (Algebra II or higher), or a 3rd year of science, or a 3rd year of social studies. World History will only be a Flex Credit if a student also takes Geography.

(f) Beginning with the Cohort of 2026, the Advanced Diploma may be awarded to students earning 24 units of credits and 3.25 unweighted or weighted GPA.

A district approved computer science course may count as either a 4th year of math or a 3rd year of science (one credit total) only after successful completion of the required math or science coursework. Please see your school counselor for details. Senate Bill 200, 2017.

Beginning with the Cohort of 2024, the maximum weighted GPA* that can be earned is 4.950. This is achieved by earning a 4.0 unweighted GPA and 0.950 bonus points.

*AP: Advanced Placement, IB: International Baccalaureate, CTE: Career and Technical Education, NAA: Nevada Alternate Assessment, IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, GPA: Grade Point Average.

SOURCES: NAC 390, CCSD Regulation 5127, Nevada Board of Regents, Senate Bill 200, 2017

Grade classification for high school students will be determined by years in school, not on credit earned. Students will be classified to the next grade level at the end of each school year. However, progress should be continuous and student advancement through the curriculum should be according to the student’s demonstrated ability rather than the student’s age or years in school.

SOURCE: CCSD Regulation 5123