Scheduling Information
Graduation Requirements
Based on Policy and Administrative Guideline #5460
In order for a student to qualify for a diploma in this district one must have satisfactorily completed 26 credits required for graduation, 18 core* credits, outlined below, and 8 elective credits.
In order for a student to participate in the commencement ceremony, one must meet the criteria as established in the Student Code of Conduct.
English Language Arts ............................................. 4 credits
Mathematics Core ..................................................... 3 credits
Algebra I .................................................................... 1 credit
Geometry or Honors Geometry .............................. 1 credit
Algebra II or Honors Algebra II ............................... 1 credit
Mathematics Related Course in the Senior Year ...1 credit
Science ..................................................................... 3 credits
~Chemistry or Honors Chemistry .............. 0.5 credit
~Physics or Honors Physics ...................... 0.5 credit
~Biology or Honors Biology .......................... 1 credit
~Earth Science, IB ESS, IB Chem HL1,
IB Biology HL1, or IB Physics HL1 ................ 1 credit
Social Studies ........................................................... 3 credits
~Modern American History or
Honors Modern American History .................. 1 credit
~US Government or AP US
Government and Economics
or Honors Economics ...................................... 1 credit
~Contemporary International Studies
(and Elective World History) or IB 20th
Century World History ..................................... 1 credit
Physical Education .................................................. 1.5 credits
Fine or Applied Arts ................................................. 1 credit
Health ..................................................................... 0.5 credit
Personal Finance................................................... 0.5 credit
Online and/or Technology
Integration Experience ............................................ 1 credit
(Embedded in other courses)
World Language ...................................................... 2 credits
Electives- In addition to the credits outlined above, credits must be obtained through additional electives or career and technology education programs for the remaining balance of the 26 required credits taken in grades 9-12.
Full time attendance for four years.**
Students shall complete all sections of the Michigan Merit Exam or other required tests by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) during or before the end of their senior year to be eligible for graduation from Portage Public Schools (PPS).***
Parents may request a personal modification to the core credit requirements as outlined by MDE.
Students in Special Education objective-based programs shall complete the requirements as recommended by the Individualized Educational Planning Committee and must request a personal curriculum as outlined by the MDE.
*Waivers, substitutes, or courses recognized to fulfill specific requirements shall be reviewed, published and distributed to students annually.
**A student may, under specific circumstances, and upon the recommendation of the building principal and the approval of the Board of Education, complete minimal graduation requirements in fewer than four years. However, no commencement ceremony other than the traditional one held at the end of the regular school year shall be conducted.
***Students who transfer to the District after the testing window will be granted special consideration.
* Algebra II credit: Additional option of a formal CTE program that covers Alg. II assessed benchmarks on the MME
** 3rd Science Credit: Additional options of a formal CTW program (regardless of content) or 1 credit of Computer Science
*** Foreign/World Language: Two (2) credits of formal coursework or the equivalent learning experience in Grades K-12; or One (1) credit of formal coursework or an equivalent learning experience in Grades K-12 AND One (1) credit from the completion of an approved formal CTE course or an additional VPPA course.
**** Beginning with the class of 2028, students will be required to complete 0.5 credits of Personal Finance. This may be in addition to or embedded within other course requirements.
