WCPSS HS Graduation Requirements

In the fall of 2003, the Wake County Public School System’s non-magnet high schools moved to a 4 by 4 Block Schedule. This will allow students to earn eight credits each year of high school. With thoughtful planning, students may access more courses in the arts, computer studies, journalism, or healthful living. They may deepen their understanding of science, mathematics, or social studies by adding additional courses in these disciplines; enrich their English studies; or complete longer sequences in foreign language. Also, they may use elective studies in Career and Technical Education to complete requirements for more than one Course of Study. Because of the expanded opportunities to earn additional high school credits, graduation requirements will increase by two credits per year through 2007 (2006 at Middle Creek High School). The following information provides specific graduation credit requirements:
• Graduation from Apex, Athens Drive, Cary, East Wake, Garner, Green Hope, Leesville Road, Millbrook, Sanderson, Wake Forest-Rolesville, and Wakefield High Schools requires completion of a minimum of:
• 20 credits for the class of 2004 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2000-2001),
• 22 credits for the class of 2005 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2001-2002),
• 24 credits for the class of 2006 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2002-2003), and
• 26 credits for the class of 2007 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004) and beyond.
• At Middle Creek High School students must complete a minimum of:
• 24 credits for the class of 2005 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2001-2002) and
• 26 credits for the class of 2006 (students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2002-2003) and beyond.
• Graduation from Broughton and Fuquay-Varina High Schools currently requires a completion of a minimum of 26 credits. Students at Broughton High School must also complete twenty-five hours of community service.
• At Enloe, Longview, Phillips, and Southeast Raleigh High Schools students must successfully complete 20 credits in order to graduate. In addition, students who attend Southeast Raleigh High School must acquire four math credits, four science credits, and complete a graduation project. Individual schools may have additional requirements.
• For the Occupational Course of Study, 22 credits are required at all high schools for the class of 2004 and beyond.
Students must satisfy all course, credit, and testing requirements for at least one Course of Study in order to earn a diploma.
Students must meet the graduation course and testing requirements that were effective the year they entered ninth grade for the first time; however, the total number of credits required for graduation may increase after the ninth grade year. All credits must be earned in grades nine through twelve. Algebra I is a graduation requirement for all students. The only exceptions to the Algebra I requirement are for students who are enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study or have an Individual Education Program (IEP) that identifies them as Learning
Disabled (LD) in math and states that the disability will prevent them from mastering Algebra I. Once a student is exempt, the exemption holds until the student exits public school. Documentation of the exemption will be written in a present level of performance statement on the IEP. Students at Wake County Public School System high schools also must meet established competency criteria. All students must demonstrate proficiency of computer skills through state testing. This assessment shall begin at the eighth grade. A student with disabilities shall demonstrate proficiency by the use of a portfolio if this method is required by the student's IEP. Effective for students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2001-2002, proficiency on the Exit Exam of Essential Skills is required. This exam is given in the spring of the student's eleventh grade year. Students who complete all graduation requirements and pass the North Carolina Competency Tests receive a diploma at graduation. Students who satisfy all graduation requirements but fail the Competency Tests will receive a certificate of achievement and transcript and will be allowed to participate in graduation exercises. Special needs students (excluding Academically Gifted students and pregnant students) who do not satisfy all graduation requirements will receive a graduation certificate and be allowed to participate in graduation exercises if the student completes twenty credits by general subject area and completes all IEP requirements.