SVUSD graduation requirements

SVUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

TO RECEIVE A DIPLOMA FROM THE SADDLEBACK VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,
A STUDENT MUST:

1. Earn a minimum of a 1.75 total G.P.A.

2. Complete 220 units of coursework: 165 required units; 55 elective credits;

SUBJECT	REQUIREMENT	SUBJECT	REQUIREMENT
English	40 units	Health	5 units
Math	30 units	Physical Education	20 units
Science	30 units	Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or Applied Arts/Technical Arts	10 units
Social Science	30 units

The three years of mathematics must include the content of a SVUSD Algebra 1 course (one year of Algebra 1 or two years of Algebra 1A and 1B). Students who complete Algebra I in intermediate school with an "A" or "B" will have met the one year of the high school math graduation requirement and must complete an additional 20 credits of advanced math at the high school level. Students completing Geometry Honors in intermediate school must complete at least 20 credits of math at the high school level. No high school credits will be granted for completing Algebra 1 or Geometry in intermediate school. Students receiving a "C" or lower in advanced math in intermediate school will need to repeat the class the following year.
Students must enroll in two semesters of Physical Education in 9th grade. If a student meets the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) "Healthy Fitness Zone" (HFZ) proficiency level in 9th grade, the student may elect to take the remaining two semesters in either 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Students who do not meet the PFT HFZ performance level in 9th grade must take PE in 10th grade. No student will receive credit for more than 8 semesters of Physical Education.

3. Demonstrate grade level writing proficiency on a district benchmark activity (CAHSEE writing sample or District Portfolio), given first in the 10th grade.

4. Submit verification of a minimum of eight hours of community service or equivalent project to be completed during grades 9 - 12.

5. Each student completing 12th grade must successfully pass the California High School Exit Examinations (CAHSEE) in language arts and mathematics with a score of 350 or higher. This is first given in 10th grade. There is also an opportunity for all students who have not passed one or both parts of the CAHSEE by the end of Grade 12 to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two years.

Students transferring into the district from an accredited high school shall receive appropriate academic credit for previously completed courses when the sending district verifies that the student has satisfactorily completed those courses. The District will evaluate all coursework and credits granted by the accredited high school and make an individual determination on how those credits will be applied to the District's graduation requirements. Students transferring into the District from a non-accredited school will not receive credit for work done at that institution. An "accredited" school is one that has received accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) or one of the five regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges and universities in the United States, or in the case of a school outside of the United States, by the equivalent governmental accrediting agency in that jurisdiciton. (Board Policy 6146.3)

To participate in a high school graduation ceremony and receive a high school diploma, a student must have completed all graduation requirements prior to the ceremony.

September 2009

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