GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Please refer to the updated Student Handbook for graduation requirements.

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the 22 units required for graduation by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the district requires an additional 2 units to graduate for a total of 24 units. The additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core requirements.

Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-149, in order to receive a high school diploma, each student, unless exempted in accordance with the student’s individualized education program, shall correctly answer 60% of test questions on the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Students shall be trained in quality psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in order to graduate. All students shall receive credit in a course covering the Personal and Family Finance Standards.

SMART CORE CURRICULUM DIPLOMA

24 Units of Credit

  • English – 4 units

    • English 9th grade

    • English 10th grade

    • English 11th grade

    • English 12th grade

  • Mathematics – 4 units
    At least one unit must be taken in Grade 11 or Grade 12. Springdale School District requires students to take a math

    course every semester.

    • Algebra I*

    • Geometry*

    • Algebra II

    • Fourth Math:

      • Advanced Topics and Modeling in Mathematics

      • Algebra III

      • Calculus

      • Computer Science and Mathematics

      • Linear Systems and

        Statistics

      • Mathematical Applications and Algorithms

      • Pre-Calculus

      • Advanced Placement mathematics

      • Comparable concurrent credit

        college courses may be substituted where applicable.

*A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.

  • Natural Science – 3 units

    1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;

    2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and

    3. A third unit that is either:

      • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or

      • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit with prior approval.

  • Social Studies – 3 units

    • Civics - 1⁄2 unit

    • World History - 1 unit

    • U.S. History - 1 unit

    • Economics or other social studies – 1⁄2 unit

  • Oral Communications – 1⁄2 unit

  • Physical Education – 1⁄2 unit

  • Health and Safety – 1⁄2 unit

  • Economics – 1⁄2 unit (may be counted toward Social Studies or Career Focus)

  • Fine Arts – 1⁄2 unit

  • Career Focus – 6 units

Each high school student shall be required to take at least one digital learning course for credit to graduate.

CORE CURRICULUM DIPLOMA - 24 units of credit

  • English – 4 units

    • English 9th grade

    • English 10th grade

    • English 11th grade

    • English 12th grade

  • Mathematics
    4 units Springdale School District requires students to take a math course every semester.

    • Algebra I

    • Geometry

A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four (4) unit requirement.

  • Science – 3 units

    1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;

    2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and

    3. A third unit that is either:

      • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or

      • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit with prior approval.

  • Social Studies – 3 units

    • Civics - 1⁄2 unit

    • World History - 1 unit

    • U.S. History - 1 unit

    • Economics or other social studies – 1⁄2 unit

  • Oral Communications – 1⁄2 unit

  • Physical Education – 1⁄2 unit

  • Health and Safety – 1⁄2 unit

  • Economics – 1⁄2 unit (may be counted toward Social Studies or Career Focus)

  • Fine Arts – 1⁄2 unit

  • Career Focus – 6 units

(Comparable concurrent credit may be substituted where applicable.)

Each high school student shall be required to take at least one digital learning course for credit to graduate.

MINIMAL DIPLOMA - 22 units of credit

(Core Curriculum requirement with six rather than eight Career Focus units)

This option may be available to those students who during their senior year find that due to circumstances beyond their control are unable to meet the regular 24 unit graduation requirement. Students must follow appropriate application procedures and meet all criteria in order to be considered for a minimal diploma.

HONOR GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

  • Honor Graduate

    1. Meet Smart Core Curriculum

    2. 3.50 GPA based on 8 semesters

    3. Completion of two (2) years of the same foreign language

    4. Complete at least two (2) AP and/or IB units of credit

      • Each semester of a concurrent credit course will count as 0.5 AP/IB class b.

  • High Honor Graduate

    1. Meet requirements of honor graduate

    2. Complete at least four (4) AP and/or IB units of credit

      • Each semester of a concurrent credit course will count as 0.5 AP/IB class c.

  • Highest Honor Graduate

    1. Meet requirements of honor graduate

    2. Complete the IB curriculum or complete of at least six (6) AP units of credit

      • Each semester of a concurrent credit course will count as 0.5 AP/IB class

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities are expected to meet requirements for graduation as set forth by the Springdale School District. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) committee shall establish a program of study that is compatible with each student’s ability to perform. The committee may waive or substitute specific courses and may require specific courses when it is determined to be in the best interest of the student to do so.

Springdale School District is committed to providing a research based model of parent and family engagement. Epstein’s Framework of Six Types of Involvement provides support and encouragement for family and community engagement in the school.