Honors Diploma
Guiding the development of Respectful, Responsible and Resilient VIKINGS!
Guiding the development of Respectful, Responsible and Resilient VIKINGS!
Class of 2026 & Beyond
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in consultation with a group of stakeholders and the State Board of Education, updated the requirements for honors diplomas beginning with the class of 2026. To meet honors diploma requirements, students challenge themselves by taking and succeeding at high-level coursework and in real-world experiences. Students must meet general graduation requirements and complete the requirements outlined below to qualify for honors diplomas. Students may replace one requirement of either 4, 5 or 6 with a “Student Strength Demonstration.” Ohio students have the opportunity to choose to pursue one of six honors diplomas, however highlighted below is the Academic Honors Diploma. High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through an Academic Honors Diploma.
Academic Honors Diploma
Requirements State Minimum
1 Math ~ Fourth math must be > Algebra 2
2 Science ~ One additional unit Advanced Science
3 Social Studies ~ One additional unit Social Studies
4 World Languages ~ Three sequential units of one world language, or no less than 2 sequential units of two world languages studied
5 GPA ~ 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
6 ACT/SAT ~ ACT: Score of 27 or higher, SAT: Score of 1280 or higher
7 Seal Requirement ~ Earn two additional diploma seals, not including Honors Diploma Seal
8 Experiential Learning ~ Field Experience & Portfolio, Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal*, or Work-Based Learning
Students can use the Student Strength Demonstration to replace one of either the ACT/SAT, GPA or World Language requirement for any Honors Diploma. The Student Strength Demonstration options are listed below:
College Credit Plus: 12 total College Credit Plus credit hours
Advanced Placement: three courses with score of 3 or higher on AP tests
Career-Technical Assurance Guide (CTAG): Eligible to earn 12 total articulated credits
Apprenticeship/Pre-Apprenticeship: Completion or Evidence of Acceptance if required to be older than 18
WorkKeys: Score of 6 or higher on all tests (*void for Career-Tech Honors Diploma)
Armed Services Vocational Battery: Score of 50 or above on the ASVAB
Work-Based Learning: 250 total hours of work-based learning
Link to full honors diploma requirements: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Contacts-and-Resources/Honors-Diplomas