Graduation Requirements & Academics

The Minnesota Graduation Standards define what it is students should know and be able to do as a result of a Kindergarten through 12th grade education. The Graduation Standards provide the goal towards which both teachers and students are working. They become the focus on which assessment, curriculum, and instruction are designed to ensure that all students receive a variety of educational opportunities which move them closer to the goals of being: purposeful thinkers, effective communicators, self-directed learners, productive group participants, and responsible citizens.

Saint Peter High School requires students to earn 27 credits to graduate with a high school diploma. All students must satisfactorily complete all credit and course requirements before they will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony for graduation. These requirements include:

Students develop a high school academic plan to meet graduation requirements in collaboration with the school counselor in their Saints Time/PLP (Personal Learning Plan) course. These plans will be developed based on student ability and interest, Minnesota Graduation Standards, and St. Peter High School graduation requirements.

• All schedule changes need to be completed within the first five days of the semester.

• All schedule changes need to be made by a school counselor. Some changes must be approved by the building principal.

• Requests for schedule changes will be considered individually based on course availability, open seats, credit requirements, and reason for request. Examples of cases where changes are most often granted include a mistake in registration entry, duplicate enrollment, error in course sequencing (ex. Spanish II before Spanish I), or unmet prerequisites.

• Read and understand course descriptions before requesting a course. Make sure you have met prerequisite requirements and get instructor approval when required (Advanced, AP, MSU/SCC, etc).

• Register for courses you are interested in. Student interest is an important factor in determining the number of sections offered for each course.

• Work with your parent(s)/guardian(s), PLP/Saints Time teacher, and school counselor to make sure you are taking the appropriate classes and staying on track to graduate.

•  All students must attempt a minimum of seven credits per year and may enroll in a maximum of eight credits.

• Credits are awarded on one (1.0) or one-half (.5) credit increments or at the discretion of the counselor and principal.

• A grade of “F” for a quarter block course or semester skinny course will result in loss of credit. Any student failing a required course will be encouraged to make-up the deficiency during the succeeding nine weeks if possible. Credits may also be made up through summer school, night school, adult basic education, or a correspondence course in order to receive a diploma.

• Students may repeat any course for which they have received a failing (F) grade or no credit (NC).

• All incomplete grades must be resolved within three weeks after the end of the class. An incomplete mark not made-up within three weeks will be changed to an F. This grade may be changed to a NC (no credit) or WF (withdraw fail) at the discretion of the principal.

• All credits required for graduation are subject to change by the St. Peter Public Schools Board of Education.

Block courses meet two periods each day for two quarters (one semester). Students earn half credit each quarter. Successful completion of a course will result in one credit.

Skinny courses meet one period each day for the entire year. Students earn half credit each semester and the semester grade is posted to the transcript. Successful completion of a course will result in one (1.0) credit. 

Concurrent course credit is awarded at the end of the course. The student will receive 1.0 high school credit and the grade will be cumulative for the entire course and therefore consistent with the grade on the college transcript.

Required courses refer to courses that must be satisfactorily completed to qualify for graduation.

Elective courses are courses that are not specifically required for graduation. However, students must earn elective credits in order to meet the 27 credit minimum for graduation. Elective courses are choice courses.

A Honor Roll: Semester GPA of 3.667+

Honor Roll : Semester GPA of 3.333-3.666

Students in grades 9-12 are recognized for the A Honor Roll and Honor Roll at the end of each semester. Notice of their achievement will be sent to the local media. In addition, students who have achieved four semesters of A Honor Roll will be awarded the Academic Achievement Letter. Gold bars will be awarded to students who have received an Academic Achievement Letter and continue to achieve A Honor Roll. These awards are monitored by the Principal’s secretary.

Graduation High Honor Cords (gold): 4.0+ weighted cumulative GPA

Graduation Honor Cords (silver): 3.667-3.999 weighted cumulative GPA

At the commencement ceremony, seniors will have the opportunity to wear cords representing their honor status. Seniors graduating with High Honors will wear gold cords. Seniors graduating with Honors will wear silver cords.

Saint Peter Chapter of the National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is for 11th and 12th grade students who exemplify high academic scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The minimum grade point average for consideration is a weighted cumulative of 3.50. Applications for eligible 10th and 11th grade students will be available after Q4 grades are posted. Applications will be due in the fall and be awarded by the NHS Faculty Council.  Active status will be recognized on Senior Awards night and at the graduation ceremony. If you have any questions about NHS please reach out to Regina Sirianni, rsirianni@stpeterschools.org, NHS Advisor.