BP 6146.1 — High School Graduation Requirements

Section: 6000 - Instruction
Status: Active

Adopted: 2015-08-25

Revised: 2023-08-17

Policy text

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The Governing Board desires to prepare all students to successfully complete the high school course of study and obtain a diploma that represents their educational achievements and increases their opportunities for postsecondary education and employment.

District students shall complete graduation course requirements as specified in Education Code 51225.3 and those adopted by the Board, except for students who are exempted as provided in “Exemptions from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements,” below. Students who are exempted from district-adopted graduation requirements shall be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and school activity related to graduation in which other students are eligible to participate.

Course Requirements

To obtain a high school diploma, students shall complete the following courses in grades 9-12, with each course being one year (10 credits) unless otherwise specified (total of 230 credits):

Four courses in English
Three courses in mathematics

Students shall complete at least one mathematics course that meets the state academic content standards for Algebra I or Mathematics I. Students may complete such coursework prior to grade 9 provided that they also complete three mathematics courses in grades 9-12.

3. Successful completion of an approved computer science course that is classified as a “category C” course based on the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) “A-G” admission requirements shall be counted toward the satisfaction of additional graduation requirements in mathematics.

Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences
Three courses in social studies, including United States (U.S.) history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics
A one-semester course in global studies
One course in visual or performing arts
One course in world language
Two courses in physical education, unless the student has been otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code
A one-semester course in health education
Six elective courses
Beginning with the 2029-30 school year or before, a one-semester course in ethnic studies
40 hours of community services

Because the prescribed course of study may not accommodate the needs of some students, the Board shall provide alternative means for the completion of prescribed courses in accordance with law.

Exemptions from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements

Prior to the beginning of grade 10, the individualized education program (IEP) team for each student with disabilities shall determine whether the student is eligible for exemption from all coursework and other requirements adopted by the Board in addition to the statewide course requirements for high school graduation, and if so, shall notify the student’s parent/guardian of the exemption. A student with disabilities shall be eligible for the exemption if the student’s IEP provides for both of the following requirements:

That the student take the alternate assessment aligned to alternate achievement standards in grade 11 as described in Education Code 60640
That the student complete state standards aligned coursework to meet the statewide coursework specified in Education Code 51225.3

In addition, a foster youth, homeless student, former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, or migrant student who transfers into the district or between district schools any time after completing the second year of high school, or a newly arrived immigrant student who is in the third or fourth year of high school and is participating in a newcomer program, shall be exempted from any graduation requirements adopted by the Board that are in addition to statewide course requirements. This exemption shall not apply if the Superintendent or designee makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of the fourth year of high school.

Within 30 days of the transfer into a school by a foster youth, student experiencing homelessness, former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, migrant student, or a newly arrived immigrant student, or of the commencement of participation in a newcomer program, as applicable, the Superintendent or designee shall notify any eligible student, and others as required by law, of the availability of the exemption from local graduation requirements and whether the student qualifies for it.

The Superintendent or designee shall not require or request a foster youth, student experiencing homelessness, former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, migrant student, or a newly arrived immigrant student participating in a newcomer program who is exempted from district-established graduation requirements and who completes the statewide coursework requirements before the end of the fourth year of high school, and would otherwise be entitled to remain in school, to graduate before the end of the student’s fourth year of high school.

If a foster youth, a student experiencing homelessness, a former juvenile court school student, a child of a military family, a migrant student, or a newly arrived immigrant student participating in a newcomer program was not properly notified of an exemption, declined the exemption, or was not previously exempted, the student or the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student may request the exemption and the Superintendent or designee shall exempt the student within 30 days of the request. Any such student who at one time qualified for the exemption may request the exemption even if the student is no longer eligible.

Annually, the Superintendent or designee shall report to the California Department of Education, in accordance with Education Code 51225.1, the number of student’s graduating from the fourth or fifth year of high school who, for the prior school year, graduated with an exemption from district-established graduation requirements that are in addition to statewide coursework requirements.

Community Service

In order to promote civic awareness and volunteerism, Laguna Beach High School requires that all students participate in community service as a graduation requirement. Participation may include community/school volunteerism, city, youth and environmental projects, and student assistant and tutoring functions.