Diploma Seals

Diploma Seals to Recognize Performance

A series of seals can be earned to be placed on the Advanced Studies or Standard Diplomas. Students who demonstrate academic excellence and/or outstanding achievement may be eligible for the following:

Shenandoah Scholar Seal — A student who completes the requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and successfully completes four levels of accelerated English, three Advanced Placement (AP) courses and three levels of the same foreign language will receive a Shenandoah Scholar Seal on the diploma.

Governor’s Seal — Awarded to students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of “B” or better and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.

Board of Education Seal — Students who completes the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of “A” shall receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma.

Board of Education Seal for Excellence in Civics Education — The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education will be awarded to students who earn either a Modified Standard, Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and: (I) complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of “B” or higher; and, (ii) have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies* and, (iii) complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. Activities that would satisfy the requirements of clause (iii) of this subdivision include: (a) volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate; (b) participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar youth organizations; (c) participating in JROTC; (d) participating in political campaigns or government internships, or Boys State, Girls State, or Model General Assembly; or (e) participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United State military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement. *Out of school suspension excludes student from receiving this seal.

Board of Education Seal of Biliteracy—The Board of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to students who earn a Board of Education-approved diploma and (i) pass all required End-of-Course Assessments in English reading and writing at the proficient or higher level; and (ii) be proficient at the intermediate-mid level or higher in one or more languages other than English, as demonstrated through an assessment from a list to be approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Board of Education Career & Technical Education Seal—The Board of Education’s Career & Technical Education Seal will be awarded to a student who earns a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization of choice and maintains a “B” or better average in those courses; or (I) pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career technical education concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association or (ii) acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.

Board of Education Advanced Mathematics and Technology Seal (available for students entering high school prior to 2018-2019) — The Board of Education’s Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology will be awarded to students who earns either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and (I) satisfies all of the mathematics requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma (four units of credit including Algebra II; two verified units of credit) with a “B” average or better; and (ii) either (a) passes an examination in a career and technical education field that confers certification from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association; (b) acquire a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia; or (c) passes an examination approved by the board that confers college-level credit in a technology or computer science area. The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.

Board of Education Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment (available only to students who entered ninth grade in 2018-2019 or thereafter) —The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment is awarded to students who enter the ninth grade for the first time in the 2018-2019 year and thereafter, and meet each of the following criteria: Earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma; complete at least three different first-level board approved laboratory science courses and at least one rigorous advanced-level or postsecondary-level laboratory science course, each with a grade of “B” or higher; complete laboratory or field-science research and present that research in a formal, juried setting; complete at least 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of science such as environmental monitoring, protection, management, or restoration.