Graduation Requirements

To graduate from high school, a student will meet the minimum requirements set forth by the Virginia Department of Education.

Requirements for a Standard Diploma

1. To receive a Standard Diploma, students will earn standard units of credit described in the table below, and of the standard units of credit earned, students will earn the following number of verified units of credit: English-two; math-one; science-one; history/social science-one; and one additional verified unit of credit of the student's own choosing.
    
   Students who complete the requirements for a standard diploma with a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better at the end of their senior year will receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma.

Credits Required for Graduation: Standard Diploma

¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will be at or above the level of Algebra and shall include at least two course selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra and Geometry.

²Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will include course selections from the following [at least two different science disciplines]: Earth Science[s], Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

³Courses completed to satisfy the History and Social Sciences requirement will include World Geography or World History, U.S. and Virginia History, and U. S. and Virginia Government.

⁴Courses to satisfy the Electives requirement will include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of Quality.

⁵A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career and technical education, or other areas as prescribed by the Virginia Department of Education Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.

⁶Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for (i) the student selected verified credit and (ii) either a science or history and social science verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the Board of Education as an additional test to verify student achievement.

2. Sequential Electives
   Beginning with the graduating class of 2003, at least two sequential electives are required for the Standard Diploma. Sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation.
   • Courses used to satisfy the one unit of credit in a fine arts or career and technical education course may be used to partially satisfy this requirement.
   • An exploratory course followed by an introductory course may not be used to satisfy the requirement.
   • An introductory course followed by another level of the same course of study may be used.
   • Sequential electives do not have to be taken in consecutive years.
      
3. Locally Awarded Verified Credits for the Standard Diploma
   Students may be awarded locally verified credits in science and social studies to fulfill the requirements for verified credits for the standard diploma. To be eligible for locally awarded verified credit, a student must:
   • Pass the high school course but not pass the related Standards of Learning test or approved substitute;
   • score within a 375-399 scale score range on any administration of the Standards of Learning test after taking
     the test at least twice;
   • have earned fewer than four of the verified credits required for the standard diploma; and
   • demonstrate achievement in the academic content through the appeal process that follows.
     

In the appeal process for the student, a review panel will be established at the school consisting of an administrator, the Guidance Director, and the Lead Teacher for the appropriate content area. The panel will review the student’s record for the course in question and grant the verified credit if: (a) the student has made a grade “C” or better in the course each semester or (b) has passed the course each semester and received a minimum score of 385 on the corresponding SOL test.

No more than three verified credits may be awarded through this process. Students may not use locally awarded verified credits for the Advanced Studies Diploma.

Requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma

1. To receive an Advanced Studies Diploma, students will earn the standard credits outlined in the table below, and of the total credits earned, students shall earn the following number of verified units of credits: English-two; Mathematics-two; Science-two; History/Social Science-two; and one additional verified unit of credit of the student's own choosing.

2. Students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of 3.00 or better at the end of their senior year and successfully complete at least one Advanced Placement course (AP) or one college-level course for credit will receive a Governor’s Seal on the diploma.
    
   Beginning with the ninth grade class of 2006-2007, students must complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment courses to receive the Governor's Seal.

Credits Required for Graduation: Advanced Studies Diploma

¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will be at or above the level of Algebra and shall include at least two course selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra and Geometry.

²Courses completed to satisfy the Laboratory Science requirement will include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among Earth Science[s], Biology, Chemistry, or Physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

³Courses completed to satisfy the History and Social Sciences requirement will include World Geography, World History, U.S. and Virginia History, and U. S. and Virginia Government.

⁴Courses completed to satisfy the World Language requirement will include three years of one language or two years of two languages.

⁵A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education, or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.

Requirements for Diploma Seals from the Board of Education

1. Requirements for a Board of Education’s Seal
   Students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or advanced Studies Diploma with an average
   grade of “A” shall receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma.

2. Requirements for Board of Education’s Career & Technology Education Seal
   The Board of Education’s Career and Technical Education Seal will be awarded to students who earn a Standard
   or Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that they choose and maintain a “B” or better average in those courses;
   1. or pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education
      concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a
      recognized industry, trade or professional association
   2. b. or acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board of education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
       
3. Requirements for Board of Education’s Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology
   The Board of Education’s Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology will be awarded to students who earn
   either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma
   1. and satisfy all of the mathematics requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma (four units of credit
      including Algebra II, two verified units of credit) with a “B” average or better
   2. and do one of the following
      • pass an examination in a career and technical education field that confers certification from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association;
      • acquire a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia; or
      • pass an examination approved by the Board that confers college-level credit in a technology or computer science area. The board of education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
         
4. Requirements for a Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education
   The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education will be awarded to students who earn either a
   Standard or Advanced Studies diploma and
   1. complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of “B” or higher
   2. have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies
   3. complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. Activities that
      would satisfy this requirement include:
      • volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate;
      • participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar youth organizations;
      • participating in JROTC;
      • participating in political campaigns or government internships, or Boys State, Girls State, or Model General Assembly; or
      • participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.

Requirements for a Superintendent's Seal of Distinction

1. The NNPS Scholars Program is designed to provide an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating advanced course of study; to recognize students’ academic achievements beyond the advanced requirements for graduation; and to further enhance the NNPS Advanced Placement course offerings. The Superintendent’s Seal of Distinction will be awarded on the diplomas of students who successfully complete the Scholars Program. The implementation of the Scholars Program will begin with ninth grade students in the 2005-2006 school year.

2. Requirements for the Scholars Program include:
   1. All requirements for the NNPS Advanced Studies Diploma.
   2. As part of the graduation requirements, at least five Advanced Placement courses (at least one for each core content area—English, social studies, science, and mathematics—as well as a dual enrollment (college course) or an additional Advanced Placement course must be included in the student’s program of study to qualify for a Scholars Seal. The Advanced Placement examination must be taken for all Advanced Placement credits applied toward the Scholars Program.
   3. A four-course sequence in at least one world language.
   4. Projects. The student must individually complete both of the following requirements.
      1. Individual Scholars Project—research paper/project, or multi-media project.
         • The Scholars Project must be pre-approved by the Division Scholars Committee. This committee will meet three times during each academic year, and the proposal should be submitted one week prior to an announced meeting date for consideration at that meeting.
         • The project will be selected by the student in an area of his/her interest.
         • The project must go beyond requirements for any course taken while in high school. International Baccalaureate senior papers and other senior projects may be expanded to meet the Scholars Project requirements.
         • The project must have a tangible product such as an advanced research paper/thesis, a complex multi-medial project, or a specialized portfolio.
         • The project must culminate in a formal Scholars Presentation before an audience. The Scholars Project and presentation will be assessed by a panel of professionals. The presentation must be given no later than the end of the third quarter of the senior year.
         • The Scholars Project Presentation should be a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes. A question and answer period should follow the presentation.
           
      2. 2) One Hundred hours of elective community service which should be completed by the end of the eleventh grade. “Community Service” for this project is defined as, “Voluntary unpaid work for the good of others.” The following guidelines describe hours that may be used for this community requirement.
      • Community service for this project must directly benefit the citizens of Newport News.
      • The 100 hours must be served on one focused service project in the area of the student’s choice. The project should demonstrate a commitment, which is served over at least six sessions.
      • A plan for the community service project must be presented to and be pre-approved by the Division Scholars Committee. The project proposal may be presented for approval as early as the freshman year, but no later than May 15 of the junior year.
      • Community service hours credited toward the Scholars Program must be beyond hours required by any course, extra-curricular activity, or other school or community program requirement.
      • No monetary compensation may be received by the student for these hours.
      • A log of hours verified by the supervising adult from the appropriate community organization must be turned in to the Scholars Program Coordinator (suggested completion by the end of the student’s eleventh grade year). The student will meet with the Scholars Committee to reflect on the community service experience at one of the three annual Scholars Committee meetings.
      • Adjustments to the required timeline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for students who transfer into NNPS during the 11th or 12th grade year.
      3. 3) The Scholars Project and elective community service may be coordinated as two components of a single project.

Requirements for the Modified Standard Diploma

1. Every student will be expected to pursue a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma. The Modified Standard Diploma program is intended for certain students at the secondary level who have a disability and are unlikely to meet the credit requirements for a Standard Diploma. Eligibility and participation in the Modified Standard Diploma program shall be determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team
   including the student, where appropriate, at any point after the student’s eighth grade year.

2. The school must secure the informed written consent of the parent/guardian and the student to choose this diploma program after review of the student’s academic history and full disclosure of the student’s options.

3. The student who has chosen to pursue a Modified Standard Diploma shall also be allowed to pursue the Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma at any time throughout that student’s high school career, and the student must not be excluded from courses and tests required to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.

4. Students pursuing the Modified Standard Diploma will pass the 8th grade English (Reading, Literature, and Research) and mathematics Standards of Learning tests to meet the literacy and numeracy requirements. Students may substitute a higher-level Standard’s of Learning test (i.e., end of course English [Reading], Algebra I, Algebra, or Geometry) for the 8th grade SOL tests in English (Reading, Literature, and Research) and mathematics or other substitute tests approved by the Virginia Board of Education.

Credits Required For Graduation

¹Courses completed to satisfy the Mathematics requirement will include content from among applications of algebra, geometry, personal finance, and statistics in courses that have been approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

²Courses completed to satisfy the Science requirement will include content from at least two of the following: applications of earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics in courses approved by the VDOE.

³Courses completed to satisfy the History and Social Sciences requirement will include one unit of credit in U.S. and Virginia History and one unit of credit in U.S. and Virginia Government in courses approved by the VDOE.

⁴Courses to satisfy the Electives requirement will include at least two sequential electives in the same manner for the Standard Diploma.

Requirements for Special Diploma

Students identified as disabled who meet the requirements of their individualized education programs, but do not meet
the requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma, Standard Diploma, or Modified Standard Diploma, will be awarded a Special Diploma.

Requirements for the General Achievement Diploma

1. The General Achievement Diploma is an option for high school dropouts and individuals who exit high school without a diploma. Individuals who are at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in public schools or not otherwise meeting the compulsory school attendance requirements set forth in the code of Virginia shall be eligible to earn the General Achievement Diploma. Diploma candidates will participate in GED preparation.

2. The required number of standard units of credit may be earned by enrolling in a public school if the individual meets the age requirements, a community college or other institution of higher education, an adult high school program, or correspondence, distance learning, and online courses.

3. Credit and assessment requirements for the General Achievement Diploma are as follows:

¹Courses completed to satisfy the Mathematics requirement will include content in mathematics courses that incorporate or exceed the content of courses required for the Standard Diploma.

²Courses completed to satisfy the Science requirement will include content in science courses that incorporate or exceed the content of courses required for the Standard Diploma.

³Courses completed to satisfy the History and Social Sciences requirement will include one unit in U. S. and Virginia History and one unit of credit in U. S. and Virginia Government in courses that incorporate or exceed the content of the school system courses in these subject areas.

⁴Courses shall include at least two semesters of sequential electives in an area of specialization or concentration, which may include career and technical education and training.

Requirements for an Adult High School Diploma

An adult high school diploma is awarded to those individuals who were not required to earn verified credits at the time they entered the ninth grade but who meet the graduation credit requirements that were in place at the time they entered the ninth grade. An adult high school diploma also will be issued to individuals who complete the National External Diploma Program (EDP) through this school division. Previously, EDP candidates earned a standard high school diploma. Although adults are eligible to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies high school diploma, they must meet all credit requirements defined by the current Regulations Establishing the Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131) at the time that they will graduate. Adults enrolled in a program leading to a standard diploma prior to August 15, 2005, will be granted the option of completing the requirements of the program they were enrolled in prior to that date.

State regulations allow school divisions to issue an adult high school diploma to adults who complete the course requirements for a diploma, including the EDP, but who do not complete the requirements for a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.

Certificate of program completion

Students in each of the categories noted below will be given a Certificate of Program Completion and will not be permitted to participate in the school commencement exercises:

• Students who successfully complete all academic coursework required for either the Advanced Studies or Standard Diplomas, but who have not yet obtained the necessary verified credits required by the state for the awarding of a diploma.

• Students with disabilities who successfully complete all academic coursework required for the Modified Standard Diploma, but who have not earned passing scores on the eighth grade reading and mathematics SOL tests.

Students who are awarded a Certificate of Program Completion may continue to take the Standards of Learning tests needed to upgrade their certificate to a diploma.