Alternative certificates shall be awarded to students who meet the minimum requirements established by the district, but do not satisfy the requirements for a high school diploma, modified diploma, or extended diploma.
An alternative certificate will be awarded based on a student’s needs and achievement.
Requirements and procedures for awarding the certificate will be specified in an accompanying Administrative Directive from the Superintendent.
By logging in to your StudentVUE account and navigating to Course History, you can check your graduation status and degree progress. There, you will be able to see completed courses and courses in progress. Please take up any discrepancies with your counselor.
Though not usually recommended, some required classes (such as Physical Education and Health) can be delayed in special circumstances. Please speak with your counselor about your specific situation so you can develop a plan for success.
In most cases, it is not possible to take less than 8 classes. No students will be allowed to have a "free period" in their schedule. A monitored study hall is available for students electing to take less than eight courses. Early Dismissal or Late Arrival is not available to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Seniors taking less than eight courses need permission from a parent/guardian to enroll in a shortened academic day. All seniors need to be scheduled in at least 6 classes unless granted approval for less than 6 by the vice principal. Regardless, please discuss all special circumstances with your counselor and teachers, who might be able to help find a solution that works for you.
Career-Related Learning Experiences (CRLEs) are structured educational experiences that connect learning to the world of work. PPS requires students to participate in and write reflections about two CRLEs, but most students complete many throughout their four years of high school. In addition to school and industry sponsored CRLEs, many students arrange their own informational interviews or job shadows.
What counts as a CRLE?
Industry Career Day or Career Fair
Company Tour
Career-focused guest speaker
Future You 2 Go or other virtual career presentation
CTE Work based learning (e.g. practicum, clinical, service learning, school-based enterprise, etc.)
Mentoring Program
Pre-health, ACE, PACE, etc.
Internship or ongoing Volunteer position
Outdoor School, Rieke Internship, etc.
Job Shadow or Informational Interview with a non-family professional
Mock Interview
What does not count as a CRLE?
College visit
Paid employment
One-time volunteer event
In Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s Extended Application diploma requirement is called the My Plan Essay. All PPS students must complete a My Plan Essay that is scored as meeting rubric standards prior to graduation. The My Plan Essay is a formal reflection of a student’s high school experiences related to college and career, future plans, and goals, and supports OSAC scholarship essay questions. The My Plan Essay supports the district’s goal for every PPS student to graduate college and career ready with an informed post-high school plan.
Always feel free to reach out to your teachers, counselor, or even the administration to get help with any problems you're running in to, schedule related or not. They're all here to support you!