graduation - Class of 2021

When: Tuesday, May 25th at 12:00 pm

Where: All City Field

More details to come!

Classes of 2018-2020

Graduation Requirements

These requirements are in effect for students graduating on or before the Class of 2020. All students are required to complete a specific number of courses in order to graduate.

To be considered a senior, the student must have a minimum of 180 credit hours. Students can earn up to 70 credits in any given year by taking a full schedule of classes. Thus, if a student falls behind on credits in their freshmen, sophomore or junior year, they could still graduate on time by successfully completing 70 or more credit hours their senior year.

24 units of study (240 semester hours) are required in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the following content areas:

Language Arts

4 units minimum including:

• 1 unit of English 1

• 1 unit of English 2

• 1 unit of upper division writing academic elective or World Literature 1 & 2

• 1 unit of other upper division language arts credit

• Note: ELA 2 Reading/Reading or an ELD Seminar, taken for an entire year, can meet the upper division language arts requirement

Social Studies

3 units required, including:

• 1 unit in U.S. History

• ½ unit in Civics

• 1.5 units of other Social Studies credit

Science

3 units required, including:

• At least 2 units from Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Math

4 units to be completed while in high school, including:

• 1 unit of Algebra I or its integrated equivalent

• 1 unit of Geometry or its integrated equivalent

• 1 unit of Algebra II or its integrated equivalent

• 1 unit of upper-level math from an approved course list are required

Physical Education/Dance, JROTC or DPS Athletics

1 unit of either Physical Education (PE), Dance, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) or DPS Athletics required

Fine arts or CTE

1 unit required in Art, Music, Drama or Career and Technical Education

Electives

Student must earn 8 units of electives, of which 2 units may be community service and service learning.

Some students may need more time to complete the requirements and it is okay to stretch their path to graduation to a fifth or sixth year (up to age 21).

Class of 2021 and Beyond

New Graduation Requirements

Starting with the Class of 2021, students must complete three key requirements to earn a diploma.

• Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) – their plan for their future – or completion of the goals outlined in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

• 24 units of course credit in required areas shown below.

• Competency demonstrations in English and math through completion of one or more of the items on the competency menu below.