To earn a Distinguished Studies Endorsement, in addition to diploma requirements, students must:

● Additional credits above diploma requirements:

○ Complete one additional credit in Math courses (4 total credits)

○ Complete one additional credit in Science courses (4 total credits)

○ Complete 1.5 additional credits in Social Studies courses (4 total credits)

○ Complete a minimum of one credit in Technology related courses

○ Complete two additional credits in World Language (3 total credits)

○ Complete four additional credits in electives (26 credits total)

● Rigor requirements:

○ At least 2 credits of coursework in English must be in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment Courses

○ At least 2 credits of coursework in Math Studies must be in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment Courses

○ At least 2 credits of coursework in Science must be in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment Courses

○ At least 2 credits of coursework in Social Studies must be in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment Courses

● Proficiency requirements:

○ Demonstrate proficiency in all English standards as demonstrated by earning 3 or better in standards aligned to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses

○ Demonstrate proficiency in all Math standards as demonstrated by earning 3 or better in standards aligned to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses

○ Demonstrate proficiency in all Science standards as demonstrated by earning 3 or better in standards aligned to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses

○ Demonstrate proficiency in all Social Studies standards as demonstrated by earning 3 or better in standards aligned to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Dual Enrollment courses

● Demonstrate substantial commitment and excellence in learning beyond our courses with at least 25 hours of learning in a content area of a student’s choosing through one or more of the following activities (must be pre-approved by the High School Principal or Designee):

○ Complete an internship

○ Participate in content-related co-curricular clubs (Art & Literary Magazine, Patriot Umbrella, Yearbook, etc.)

○ Participate in Professional Talks & Presentations

○ Other extended content-related learning

● Present a portfolio demonstrating completion of the above requirements

*At the end of Junior year, in order to be officially “on track” for the Distinguish Studies Endorsement and to be able to report this out to college admissions, students must have earned at least 3 credits each in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, 2 credits in World Language, 1 credit in Technology, and completed 30 hours of additional content area learning.