IKF
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Before entering high school, students need to know the standards for attaining a high school diploma in order to plan an appropriate, sequential, educational program to meet that goal.
The Superintendent, through the high school principal or other designee, shall be responsible for making accurate information concerning diploma requirements available to incoming students and their parents prior to the start of their ninth-grade school year, and as soon as practicable when there is of any change in State-imposed standards that must be met before students may be awarded a high school diploma. A copy of this policy will be disseminated to all incoming ninth grade students at the time of course selection and will also be included in every edition of the high school student handbook.
The school unit’s instructional program is aligned with the content standards of Maine’s system of Learning Results. A diploma from Woodland High School signifies that the graduate has completed the requirements described in Maine law and Board policy and that he/she is ready to enter a postsecondary educational program or a career as a clear and effective communicator, a self-directed and life-long learner, a creative and practical problem solver, a responsible and involved citizen and an informed and integrative thinker.
The Board has approved the following schedule of minimum requirements for graduation, which includes requirements specified by the State of Maine.
The Board expects the Superintendent/designee to inform students and parents as soon as practicable of any additional State-imposed standards that must be met before students may be awarded a high school diploma.
I. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
In order to graduate from Woodland Jr/Sr High School, you will meet the following requirements:
4 English credits*
3 Social Studies credits (including 1 credit of U.S. History)
4 Math credits*
4 Science credits (Biology and Chemistry Labs are worth 1 credit)
1 Visual and Performing Arts credit
1.5 Health and Physical Education credits
1 Career Prep Credit
1 Community Service Credit
3.5 Elective credits
Advisory
Total of 23 Credits
*All students must take these courses in all their years of high school: English and math.
Area of Study
Requirements
English/Language Arts
Earn 4 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the English/Language Arts graduation expectations. In addition, all students are required to study English/Language Arts in all of their years in high school.
Social Studies
Earn 3 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the Social Studies graduation expectations, including the study of civic education, United States History, and American Government.
Mathematics
Earn 4 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the Mathematics graduation expectations. In addition, all students are required to study mathematics in all of their years in high school.
Science and Technology
Earn 4 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the Science graduation expectations including Intro to Physics and Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry. Biology and Chemistry also have labs)
Visual and Performing Arts
Earn 1 credit by demonstrating proficiency in the Visual and Performing Arts graduation expectations
Career Prep
Earn 1 credit by demonstrating proficiency in the Career Preparation graduation expectations (This is accomplished through CTE or JMG)
Health and Physical Education
Earn 1.5 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the Health and Physical Education graduation expectations. 1 credit for physical education and .5 credit for health
Community Service
Earn 1 credit by demonstrating proficiency in Community Service graduation expectations over a 4 year period
Electives
Earn 3.5 credits by demonstrating proficiency in the expectations of the courses selected.
Woodland Jr/Sr High School graduates will also successfully complete the following activities:
Career Exploration Program
The Career Exploration Program is an opportunity for tenth and eleventh graders to meet Career Ready Learning Standards:
Students demonstrate and reflect on personal characteristics, attitudes, and interests that develop life skills and assist in making post high school career and life decisions.
Students articulate a variety of post high school options based on individualized, in-depth exploration.
Students gain an understanding of networking and connecting to people who are doing the kind of work they want to do.
Students demonstrate positive interpersonal and life skills and understand how they are important to success in relationships, school, work, and community.
Students understand their options and can navigate choices and experiences concerning interests and future opportunities.
Students seek out meaningful career exploration opportunities, both individually and in small-group interactive settings.
Students will complete a variety of activities to meet these goals, from career interest surveys and resume writing to career research and job shadowing. Completion is a graduation requirement for Woodland Jr/Sr High School.
Community Service
Community service is a constructive way to see that one person can make a difference. Students can learn a sense of responsibility, experience the value of working with others, and understand that there are needs greater than their own. All students must complete 10 hours of approved community service in order to graduate from Woodland Jr/Sr High School. New students to the high school are expected to complete the community service requirement based on when they enroll (e.g., If a student enrolls as a sophomore, then 9, a junior, then 7 and a senior, then 4 hours are required.)
GRADING
Grades and Corresponding Averages
A = Excellent
A 92-100
B = Very Good
B 85-91
C = Satisfactory
C 77-84
D = Passing with guidance
D 70-76
F = Failure
F below 70
P = Pass
Special circumstances
WP = Withdrawn Passing
If a student drops a class with passing grade
WF = Withdrawn Failing
If a student drops a class with failing grade
COURSE LEVELS
College Preparatory
College Preparatory classes are designed to prepare students for college work once they graduate from high school. Accordingly, there is a high level of academic learning in CP classes at Woodland Jr/Sr High School. At the same time, CP classes will provide students with teacher-guided instruction, practice, and work-time in class. Homework will be assigned as needed and will, at times, require time outside of class to complete.
Honors Challenge Component
In some courses designated as CP (College Preparatory), students will have the opportunity to earn Honors-level credit for the course. Through this program, students will be offered various assignments throughout the year in content embedded in the course through which they can deepen their understanding of the material and challenge themselves as learners. Honors Challenge is academically rigorous; it offers
more depth of content and skill development. Students who elect to participate in Honors Challenge should expect to produce work at a high academic level. While that may require students to spend more time on their studies, the Honors Challenge work is not simply additional coursework. These opportunities will be available to all students, but to earn Honors credit, students in the Honors Challenge Program will be expected to:
Successfully complete all required Honors Challenge assignments
Maintain a minimum class average for the year of 85%;
Submit a letter of intent and a contract signed by the student’s parent or guardian to complete their Honors Challenge Program;
The designation of Honors on a student’s transcript will appear upon satisfactory completion of the Honors Challenge Program.
II. MULTIPLE PATHWAYS: ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF EARNING CREDITS
Students may also opt to earn credits toward a high school diploma through multiple additional pathways including:
Early college/dual enrollment courses
Career and technical education programming
Gifted and talented programs
Online/virtual learning
Apprenticeships, internships, and/or field work
Community service
Exchange programs
Independent study
Alternative education
Adult education
Each pathway must provide a quality learning experience comparable in rigor to the school unit’s own educational offerings.
III. STUDENTS RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
All secondary students must achieve the content standards of the parameters for essential instruction of the system of Learning Results and graduation requirements established pursuant to Maine law. A student with a disability, as defined in 20-A MRSA § 7001(1-B) who satisfies the local diploma requirements in the manner specified by the student’s IEP must be awarded a high school diploma.
IV. STUDENTS IN DUAL ENROLLMENT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
A secondary student who has satisfactorily completed his/her junior and senior years in a dual enrollment career and technical education program formed pursuant to 20-A MRSA §6971-6975 may be eligible to receive a high school
diploma from Woodland High School, although the student may not meet the graduation requirements of 20-A MRSA §4722.
V. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE AWARDING OF A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
This section applies to all students, in all graduation classes.
A. Transfer Students
For students who transfer to Woodland High School from another state or from an educational program that is not required to be aligned with the content standards of the system of Learning Results, the Woodland High School Principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience towards meeting graduation requirements.
B. Home-schooled Students
For previously home-schooled students wishing to receive a diploma from Woodland High School, the Woodland High School Principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience toward meeting graduation credit requirements. A home-schooled student must have attended Woodland High School for a minimum of two semesters or one year in order to receive a Woodland High School diploma.
C. Delayed Awarding of Diplomas
A student who leaves Woodland High School to attend an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education may upon satisfactory completion of the freshman year be awarded a high school diploma, provided that the student has notified the principal at the time of the early admission.
D. Early Awarding of Diplomas
A student who has met the State’s and the Board’s diploma requirements in fewer than four years of high school will be awarded a diploma.
E. Extended Study
Students are eligible for extended years of study to complete the requirements of a diploma if they have not reached the age of 20 at the start of the school year. Students eligible for extended years of study may be referred to adult education or other resources suitable to young learners. Extended study for students with disabilities shall be specified in the student’s IEP.
F. Students Experiencing Education Disruption
Credit toward the awarding of a high school diploma to a student who is experiencing or has experienced educational disruption as defined in 20-A MRSA §5161(2-A) and who attends more than one school after the student’s second year of high school will be determined in accordance with 20-A MRSA §5165. If it is likely that a student will be unable to complete the requirements of either the school in which the student is currently enrolled or those of their previous school, whether through completion of similar courses, alternative learning experiences or other means or by waiver or particular course requirements, by the end of the student’s 4th year in high school, the student will be encouraged to pursue a Department of Education diploma and provided information about that option.
G. Participation in Graduation Ceremony
A student must complete all Board requirements for a high school diploma in order to participate in graduation exercises.
H. Honors and Awards at Graduation
In order to be eligible for honors or awards based wholly or in part on academic achievement (e.g., valedictorian, salutatorian, class speaker, “Top 10”), a student must have been enrolled full time at Woodland High
School during the year for one year, or for two semesters preceding graduation. Students who do not meet this enrollment requirement will not be “ranked” for the purpose of determining eligibility for graduation honors, awards, or scholarships.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 4722; 5161-5165; 6971(4); 7007(1-B); 8402; 8404
Ch. 127 § 7 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule)
Cross Reference: IHCDA – Post-Secondary Enrollment Options
Adopted: February 6, 1996
Revised: July 7, 2003; June 9, 2004; July 16, 2013: September 2, 2025
Reviewed: March 3, 2000; June 15, 2004