Updated 3/10/2020 (3) - Richland County School District One

GENERAL INFORMATIONSOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAREQUIREMENTS To be eligible to receive a state high school diploma, studentsmust be actively enrolled at the high school issuing the diplomaa semester prior to the graduation date except in the case of abona fide change of residence. Based on State Law,requirements to receive a South Carolina High School Diploma(graduation requirements) for students in grades 9 - 12 areprescribed as follows:English/Language ArtsMathematicsScienceUnited States History andConstitutionEconomicsUnited States GovernmentOther Social Studies ElectivePhysical Education, Junior ROTC,Marching Band with PhysicalEducationComputer ScienceWorld LanguageORCareer and Technical EducationTOTAL CORE UNITSElectives:(Includes Comprehensive HealthEducation Requirements)TOTAL UNITS4 units4 units3 units1 unit½ unit½ unit1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit17 UNITS7 units24 UNITS All students must take End-of-Course Examinations in orderto meet graduation requirements set by the State Board ofEducation. All students must earn one unit of credit in computerscience. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year,Keyboarding will not meet the computer sciencerequirement. Keyboarding credits earned before 2018-2019will meet the requirement. A unit of credit applied towardthe computer science requirement may not be used to meetthe mathematics requirements or the Career andTechnology Education requirements. All students must meet the minimum graduation requirementof one world language or one unit in Career and TechnologyEducation (CATE). All students planning to attend a fouryear college or university are required to take two units ofthe same world language. Some colleges or universitiesrequire three units of the same world language. A half unit of study that meets the Comprehensive HealthEducation requirements must include a course completed inPersonal Health and Wellness (340200CH). One unit of fine arts, found in the “Visual and PerformingArts” section, is required as a pre-condition of admission forstudents planning to attend a public four-year college oruniversity.Students are encouraged to exceed the minimum number ofcredits for graduation and take advantage of the manyopportunities provided in each high school. Relevantcurricular choices in the elective areas will prepare eachstudent for postsecondary educational opportunities aftergraduation.SOUTH CAROLINAEMPLOYABILITY CERTIFICATEREQUIREMENTSThe Employability Credential is designed for students withdisabilities for whom the IEP team determines mastery of acareer-based educational program (that includes academics,independent work experience, daily living skills, and selfdetermination skill competencies) is the most appropriate way fora student to demonstrate his or her skills and provide a freeappropriate public education (FAPE).To attain the Employability Credential, the student must meet thegraduation requirements of one unit of physical education/health(or equivalent) and one unit of technology course; adhere to thelocal attendance policy; and a total of 24 earned units that includethe following: English Language ArtsMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesEmployability EducationElectives4 units4 units2 units2 units4 units6 unitsCoursework in the four core areas (English Language Arts,Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) must meet SouthCarolina College- and Career-Ready Standards.In addition to completing coursework outlined above, to receive anEmployability Credential, a student must:1. Complete a career portfolio that includes a multimediapresentation project;2. Obtain work readiness assessment results that demonstratethe student is ready for competitive employment; and3. Complete work-based learning/training that totals at least 360hours, in which:a. Work-based learning/training is school-based, communitybased, and/or paid or unpaid employment;b. Work-based learning/training is aligned with the student’sinterests, preferences, and postsecondary goals andindividual graduation plan; andc. Paid employment is at a minimum wage or above and incompliance with the requirements of the Federal Fair LaborStandards Act.COMMENCEMENT EXERCISESOnly those students who pass all the units required for a diplomaor certificate may participate in the commencement exercise heldat the end of the school year.GRADE CLASSIFICATIONGrade classification is determined only at the beginning of theschool year. In order to comply with state law and ensurecontinuous and appropriate progress through Grades 9-12, theRichland County School District One Board of Commissionershas established Administrative Rule IKE-R attached to the6

district Promotion and Retention Policy. Students are promotedor retained in grade classification based on these criteria:GRADE 9Grade classification as a ninth-grade student is determined bythe eighth-grade promotion standards.GRADE 10Grade classification as a tenth-grade student requires thecompletion of six units to include:English 1(1 unit)Mathematics(1 unit)Additional Credits(4 units)GRADE 11Grade classification as an eleventh-grade student requires thecompletion of twelve units to include:English 1 and 2(2 units)Mathematics(2 units)Science(1 unit)Social Studies(1 unit)Additional Credits(6 units)GRADE 12Grade classification as a twelfth-grade student requires thecompletion of eighteen units to include:English 1, 2, and 3(3 units)Mathematics(3 units)Science(2 units)Social Studies(2 units)Additional Credits(8 units)If a student has sixteen units and is enrolled in courseworkwhich would allow him/her to complete the twenty-four unitsneeded for a South Carolina High School Diploma within theschool year, the student will be eligible to participate in senioractivities and events. However, participating in senior activitiesand events is not a guarantee that graduation requirements willbe met successfully.HONOR GRADUATESStudents with outstanding academic performance will berecognized as honor graduates with one of the followingaccolades: Valedictorian – The student(s) of the graduating classwith the highest Grade Point Average (GPA). Salutatorian – The student(s) of the graduating classwith the second highest Grade Point Average (GPA).In a case of more than one student having the highest orsecond highest grade point average, multiple valedictorians orsalutatorians may be declared and no attempt will be made tobreak ties. If there are multiple valedictorians, commencementspeeches will be given by the valedictorians.also earn 8 points (minimum) for extracurricular activities. Thesepoints may be earned through school activities, sports, orcommunity service. If students participate in some activities notincluded in the point system, they have the right to present themto the school counselor to determine whether these activitiescan count towards the extracurricular requirements. Theactivities that are submitted for extracurricular points should beverified by the appropriate sponsor, instructor, coach, etc., andsubmitted to the school’s HSS contact person by March 1st ofeach year. Seniors must submit their extracurricular points nolater than the end of the first semester of their senior year. AllHigh School Scholars are automatically named Academic AllStars.ACADEMIC ALL-STARThis program recognizes high school seniors in the District whohave achieved academic excellence. To qualify as an AcademicAll-Star, students must be ranked in the top 10% of their highschool’s senior class and have at least a 3.5 grade point average(GPA). All honorees must be candidates for graduation in thespring of their junior year. Students who are ranked in the top10% of their senior class but do not have at least a 3.5 GPA areineligible. No grade below a “C” will be accepted. Selection ismade based upon the students’ academic standing at the end ofthe first semester of their senior year.INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIESInterscholastic Competitive (Co-Curricular) activities are schoolsponsored activities that result in the presentation of a rating,trophy, or award. Visual and performing arts studentsparticipating in graded experiences outside of class are notincluded.A student must not have received a high school diploma in orderto be eligible to participate. Additionally, if a student turns 19years of age before July 1 of the upcoming school year he/she isnot eligible.Specific requirements for academic eligibility are as follows:1.2.3.HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS DIPLOMA PATHWAYAny rising 9th or 10th grade student, who has the ability anddesire for excellence in academics and to contributemeaningfully to the school may apply. To earn a special diplomadistinction, a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) in HW, AW, IW, orEW courses must be maintained throughout their high schoolexperience. No grade below a “C” will be accepted. Whencomputing the GPA for High School Scholars, HW, AW, IW orEW will be given the same weight towards the 20-unitrequirement (4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 4 Social Studies, and3 World Languages). One unit of PE/JROTC/Marching Band,along with 10 units of electives is also required). Students must4.To participate in interscholastic activities, students in gradessix through twelve must have a 2.00 Grade Point Average(GPA/70) in all courses in which the student was enrolled inthe proceeding semester.Students must satisfy eligibility requirements in thesemester preceding participation.a. First semester eligibility is determined by using the finalgrades earned during the previous year.b. Credits earned in a summer school approved by theSouth Carolina Department of Education may apply tofirst semester eligibility. A maximum of two courses peryear may be used.c. Second semester eligibility is determined by using firstsemester grades.Special Education students:a. A student identified as special needs and served in anon-diploma program shall be considered eligible forparticipation in interscholastic activities if he/she issuccessfully meeting the requirements of his/herIndividual Evaluation Plan (IEP).b. Students identified as special needs and who are beingserved in a program leading to a state high schooldiploma must meet all eligibility requirementspreviously stated for participation in interscholasticactivities.Terms defined:a. Course — any approved course of instruction in thesecondary curriculum, required or elective, for which7

b.c.one unit of credit or its equivalent is awarded on ayearly basis or one-half unit of credit or its equivalentis awarded on a semester basis. If more than one unitof credit is awarded on a yearly basis in a particularcourse, this subject shall count as more than onecourse.Academic Course — those courses of instruction forwhich credit toward high school graduation is given.These may include required courses or approvedelectives.Required Courses — courses specifically mandatedfor a high school diploma. Credit cours

3/4/2019 Spanish 4 Honors VSP changed to 365489HW; 4-year college requirements updated 3/6/2019 PLTW course weightings updated 3/11/2019 Change course code for Emergency and Fire Management 3/15/2019 PLTW honors weighting edited 3/19/2019 Chan