Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

1. A. Required Hours for Graduation:
   • A student must have passing grades in classes totaling 240 credit hours in grades 9-12.
   • In the 240 hour requirement for graduation, a student must have successfully completed the following course requirements totaling a minimum of 185 hours:
     a. English – 40 hours
     b. Social Studies – 30 hours
     c. Mathematics – 30 hours
     d. Science – 30 hours
     e. Health & Physical Education – 10 hours
     f. Computer Application – 5 hours minimum
     g. Fine Arts – 10 hours
     h. Career & Vocational Area – 30 hours
   • The following applies to courses taken for graduation:
     a. An additional speech course (beyond the required 5 hour Speech (3e above) may be chosen and applied in the areas of English or Fine/Performing Arts but the same course cannot be used in both areas to meet the requirement.
     b. Strength Training courses can only be counted as an elective for graduation, and cannot be substituted for health and physical education requirements.
     c. Students receiving credit for Independent Study courses must meet the State Department of Education minimum of 112-1/2 clock hours with teacher and student – preferably 150 clock hours – for 10 units of credit.
2. Waivers of Courses
   • Waivers of courses in required areas shall not be allowed generally except for seriously handicapped students and only with the approval of the principal.
   • A student shall not be allowed to waive more than 5 hours of credit in required areas in grades 9-12 and can only be done with the approval of the principal and the teacher of the course being waived if there is a definite
     schedule conflict.
   • If 5 hours of credit is waived because of a schedule conflict, the following shall apply:
     a. Waiver can only be used if there is a definite conflict in the schedule that causes a great hardship.
     b. Waiver can only be granted to a student once, only when necessary, and can be for only a maximum of 5 hours credit during grades 9-12.
   • Required Academic Load
     a. 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students shall be required to be enrolled in four periods of classes on a four period schedule.
3. Early Out Consideration for Graduation
   • A student can only be considered for early out for graduation at the end of term two of the senior year:
   • Students wishing to be considered for early out for graduation shall be required as follows:
     a. Student shall request in writing an application for early graduation with the high school principal by September 1st of his/her senior year.
     b. Student and either parents or guardians must be present to discuss with the principal the reasons for the early out request. The principal may grant approval after considering the reasons for the request. The request is not automatically granted.
     c. Student must have earned a minimum of 240 credit hours to qualify.
4. Residence Requirements
   • Two semesters of attendance under normal circumstances shall be completed in residence at Ord High School to qualify for graduation and a diploma from Ord High School.
   • If a student cannot meet this graduation requirement and wishes to be considered for graduation, the student must make application to the Superintendent, stating in writing the request for being unable to fulfill the residence requirement.

5. Honoring Transcripts and Credits From Other Schools

   • Transcripts and credits of transfer students shall be accepted only from schools which are accredited or approved by the State Department of Education of their respective states. Credits from schools not accredited or approved by their respective state departments shall not be honored by Ord High School.
6. Course Selection to Meet Requirements
   • Selection of courses to meet requirements must be chosen from courses in assigned areas as follows:
     a. English (40 hours): English 9,English 10,English 11, English 12
     b. Social Studies (30 hours): American History 9, World History/Geography, American Government, Sociology-Psychology, and Economics
     c. Mathematics (30 hours): Algebra, 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Advanced Math, Calculus, Statistics, Algebra Concepts, Geometry Concepts and Data Analysis
     d. Science (30 hours): Physical Science, Biology, Biology II, Physiology, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, and Physics
     e. Health & Physical Education (10 hours): Health & Physical Education 9
     f. Speech (5 hours): Speech
     g. Computer Education (5 hours minimum): Any computer education course acceptable
     h. Fine/Performing Arts (10 hours): Ord Singers, Varsity Band, 18th St. Singers, Drama, Speech 2, Art 1, Art 2, Debate
     i. Career/Vocational, Foreign Language (30 hours): Journalism, Ag 1, Ag 2, Ag 3-4, Natural Resources-Wildlife Management, Horticulture-Greenhouse Management, Welding, Power Mechanics, Computer Technology, Parenting, Childcare, Textile Design, Interior Design, School to Work, Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Electricity, Culinary Arts, Medical Terminology