Embedded Files
The regulations instituted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education shall be the minimum requirements for graduation from Southern Lehigh High School. Credit units for courses passed during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades shall be counted towards the necessary credits for graduation. To receive a diploma, each student shall have earned passing grades in all required subjects. The minimum requirements are:
DEPARTMENT: CREDITS:
English 4.0
Social Studies 3.0
Mathematics 3.0 to 4.0 **
Science 3.0 to 4.0 **
Physical Education 2.0
Health 1.0
Driver Education 0.5
Arts & Humanities* 1.0
Technology 0.5
Business 0.5
Electives or LCTI 8.0
*Arts and Humanities include World Language, Fine Arts, and Music courses.
**Each student must take a total of 7.0 credits of Mathematics and Science.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
Grade point average is determined by multiplying the course credit value by the achieved course grade quality points. Honors courses are weighted an additional .5 and AP courses are weighted an additional 1 quality point towards the calculation with the exception of grades lower than a C-. The sum of all course quality points is then divided by the total number of credits. Please see the SLHS Profile, located on pages 1 and 2 for more information.
KEYSTONE EXAMS
Keystone exams are state-mandated end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that students in the Class of 2022 and beyond demonstrate proficiency on these exams as one path to graduation. Students who do not pass will be offered multiple opportunities to retake the Keystone exams or demonstrate proficiency through various pathways as outlined by the state. Detailed information about the Keystone exams can be found at: http://www.pdesas.org/Page/Viewer/ViewPage/8.
Honor Roll
Recognition will be given each marking period to students who meet the following scholastic standards:
Principal’s List - Attainment of a 4.0 average with no grade lower than B-.
High Honors - Attainment of a 3.5 average with no grade lower than B-.
Honors - Attainment of a minimum 3.25 average with no grade lower than C-.
Final Grades
Final grades are determined by averaging the 4 marking periods and the final exam/final project, each worth 20% of the final grade. Within the final exam/final project category, the final exam grade is worth 60% and the final project
Graduation Pathways
Graduation Pathways
Effective with the graduating class of 2023, students must meet one of the five identified Pathways in order to satisfy Pennsylvania’s statewide graduation requirements. The following are the five identified Pathways:
Pathway 1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway
Score Proficient or Advanced on all three Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Biology, and Literature
Pathway 2. Keystone Composite Pathway
Earn a composite score of 4452 or higher
Obtain at least one Proficient or Advanced score
Have earned no Below Basic scores
Pathway 3. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway
Students are required to earn a passing grade in all three Keystone courses (Algebra I, Biology, English 10), and successfully complete one of the following:
Earn an industry-based competency certification by passing either the OSHA or SP2 Certification Program
Demonstrate a likelihood of success on industry-based competency assessment (PNOCTI or PNIMS)
Have scored a 2 or higher on all completed areas of shop task list
Pathway 4. Alternative Assessment Pathway
Students are required to earn a passing grade in all three Keystone courses (Algebra I, Biology, English 10), and successfully achieve one of the following:
PSAT - earn a score of 970 or higher
ACT - earn a score of 21 or higher
ASVAB - earn a score of 31 or higher
SAT - earn a score of 1010 or higher
AP exam score - earn a score of 3 or higher (*the curriculum of the AP class must correlate with the content of each Keystone Exam required)
Dual Enrollment course completion (*the curriculum of the Dual Enrollment class must correlate with each Keystone Exam required)
Completion of a pre-apprenticeship program (co-op program; technician program)
Acceptance to an accredited 4-year nonprofit college or university
Pathway 5. Evidence Based Pathway
Students are required to earn a passing grade in all three Keystone courses (Algebra I, Biology, English 10), and successfully achieve a total of three pieces of evidence with at least one (and up to three) having been earned from Category A:
Category A
AP exam score - earn a score of 3 or higher on any AP exam (*does NOT need to correlate with Keystone content)
Acceptance to an accredited 2-year nonprofit institution (community college; trade school)
Dual Enrollment course completion (*does NOT need to correlate with Keystone content)
Attainment of an industry-recognized credential
Category B
Service Learning Project completion
Attainment of a score of Proficient or Advanced on a Keystone Exam
Letter guaranteeing full-time employment
Internship or Work Based Learning program completion (*certificate required)
Compliance with NCAA’s core courses eligibility and minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher
Page updated
Report abuse