Graduation

Family Arena Venue Information

To be eligible for graduation, students must complete a minimum 24 units of credit (17 required units and 7 elective units).

17 Required Units:

4 units of English/Communications Arts
3 units of Social Studies
3 units of Science
3 units of Mathematics
1 unit of Fine Art
1 unit of Practical Art
1 unit of Physical Education
.5 unit of Health
.5 unit of Personal Finance

Credit for graduation will be awarded upon the successful completion of a semester’s course of study in each class. Credit will not be awarded by quarter. The semester grade will be based on a combination of the two quarter grades and the semester examination grade.
 

Cum Laude honors will be announced as students' names are read at commencement. Students will wear a Cum Laude medallion with the color ribbon selected by the individual high school.

Summa Cum Laude: gold medallion

Magna Cum Laude: silver medallion

Cum Laude: bronze medallion

A seal will be placed on the students' diplomas indicating the appropriate honor class and will be reported on transcripts.

Students must accumulate a minimum of 27 credits at graduation, unless prorated due to Advanced Standing acknowledgment of high school level coursework successfully completed before grade nine (see notes below). Only high school courses (including Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) courses)qualify for Cum Laude credit. Classes taken through dual enrollment, correspondence, night school or in grade eight or below do not meet these standards.

Please note:

• Students transferring from other school districts must have taken the maximum amount of credits available at their previous school(s) and then meet the above credit requirements prorated for the period they attend high school in the District.
   
• While high school credit is not awarded for college credit earned through dual enrollment, or for high school level coursework completed before grade nine, it may be necessary to prorate the number of credits required for Cum Laude distinction for those students entering ninth grade with Advanced Standing acknowledgment on their transcripts. Students who successfully complete the highest level of District coursework available in any of the four core subject areas may petition to dual enroll at a local college or university in order to take more advanced courses in said subject area(s). District schedule allowances may be necessary to accommodate these dual enrollment situations, and the Cum Laude total credit requirement may be prorated as a result.

NOTE: GPA will be calculated to include all classes taken in grades 9 - 12 (including MoVIP classes), but exclude correspondence, night school and high school courses taken in grade eight or below. GPAs will not be rounded up.

Students are required to take a minimum of eight semesters in each of the core areas (math, communication arts, science, social studies). Students are required to earn a minimum of "proficient" on all but one MAP/End-of-Course exam taken over high school level coursework.

On college entry exams, students are required to attain a minimum of 27 composite score on the ACT or a combined 1220 on two of the three sections of the SAT.

The Missouri Department of Education presents the Missouri College Preparatory Studies Certificate to all students graduating who complete a more rigorous academic program. This program is highly recommended for students entering college in order for them to meet high school curriculum requirements at most universities. The minimum program requirements are:

Additional requirements include:

• 3.0 grade point average is required in the above courses
• A score above the National Average on ACT or SAT tests
• Maintain an attendance rate of 95% in grades 9 - 12

The President's Award for Educational Excellence is awarded during the senior year. A student must meet all specified requirements for the Missouri College Preparatory Certificate with the addition of the following conditions:

• A student must have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 in a 4.0 system and score at or above the 85th percentile on one of the following: A.C.T., S.A.T. or P.S.A.T.

In order to receive the Standard of Academic Accomplishment Award, a student must meet all specified requirements for the Missouri College Preparatory Studies Certificate with the following additions and exceptions.

Additions

• A student must participate in at least one co-curricular activity for each of the four high school years.
• A student must have an excellent citizenship/attendance record in each of their four years in high school.

Exceptions

• Three units of approved Mathematics credit may be substituted for Geometry and Algebra II as required by the Missouri College Preparatory Studies Certificate.
• If a student has a GPA less than 3.3 but not less than 2.5 and has scores at the national average on the ACT, SAT,  Missouri SCAT or the PSAT, they may still be deemed qualified if the Principal believes these grades/scores are truly commensurate with the student's ability level.