GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
UNITS OF CREDIT
A Standard Unit of Credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction and successful completion of course requirements.
A Verified Unit of Credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction, successful completion of course requirements, and achievement of a passing score on the end-of-course (EOC) SOL test or an additional test as approved by the Board of Education.
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA
Students must earn a minimum of 24 Standard Units of Credit and nine (9)verified units of credit to receive an Advanced Studies Diploma.
Receiving the Standard Unit of Credit for English 11 requires that all students (including students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and Alternative Education students) successfully complete the Eleventh Grade Research Writing Requirement, also known as the "English 11 Research Paper."
STANDARD DIPLOMA
Students must earn a minimum of 22 Standard Units of Credit and six (6) verified units of credit to receive a Standard Diploma.
Receiving the Standard Unit of Credit for English 11 requires that all students (including students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and Alternative Education students) successfully complete the Eleventh Grade Research Writing Requirement, also known as the "English 11 Research Paper."
MODIFIED DIPLOMA
According to PWCS, "the Modified Standard Diploma is intended for certain students ... who have a disability and are unlikely to meet the credit requirements for a Standard Diploma. Eligibility and participation in this program are determined by the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team."
SPECIAL DIPLOMA
Students who complete the requirements of their IEP and do not meet the requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded the Special Diploma.
UNITS OF CREDIT
A Standard Unit of Credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction and successful completion of course requirements.
A Verified Unit of Credit is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction, successful completion of course requirements, and achievement of a passing score on the end-of-course (EOC) SOL test or an additional test as approved by the Board of Education.
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA
Students must earn a minimum of 24 Standard Units of Credit and nine (9)verified units of credit to receive an Advanced Studies Diploma.
Receiving the Standard Unit of Credit for English 11 requires that all students (including students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and Alternative Education students) successfully complete the Eleventh Grade Research Writing Requirement, also known as the "English 11 Research Paper."
| Subject | Standard Units of Credit | Verified Units of Credit |
|---|---|---|
| English English 9, 10, 11, 12 |
4 | 2 |
| Mathematics Courses must be at or above the level of Algebra and include at least three course selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher; Algebra II must be included |
4 | 2 |
| Laboratory Science Courses must include selections from at least three different science disciplines: Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, or the completion of the science courses required for the IB Diploma |
4 | 2 |
| History and Social Sciences Courses must include US & VA History, US & VA Government, and World History from 1500, and World Geography |
4 | 2 |
| Foreign Language Courses must include three years of one language or two years each of two languages |
3-4 | |
| Health and Physical Education HPE I, HPE II |
2 | |
| Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education (CTE) | 1 | |
| Electives | 1-2 | |
| Student Selected Test | 1 | |
| Total | 24 | 9 |
STANDARD DIPLOMA
Students must earn a minimum of 22 Standard Units of Credit and six (6) verified units of credit to receive a Standard Diploma.
Receiving the Standard Unit of Credit for English 11 requires that all students (including students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and Alternative Education students) successfully complete the Eleventh Grade Research Writing Requirement, also known as the "English 11 Research Paper."
| Subject | Standard Units of Credit | Verified Units of Credit |
|---|---|---|
| English English 9, 10, 11, 12 |
4 | 2 |
| Mathematics Courses must be at or above the level of Algebra and include at least two course selections from Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher |
3 | 1 |
| Laboratory Science Courses must include selections from at least two different science disciplines: Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics |
3 | 1* |
| History and Social Sciences Courses must include US & VA History, US & VA Government, and World History from 1500 |
3 | 1* |
| Health and Physical Education HPE I, HPE II |
2 | |
| Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education (CTE) | 1 | |
| Electives Courses must include at least two sequential electives |
6 | |
| Student Selected Test* | 1* | |
| Total | 22 | 6 |
MODIFIED DIPLOMA
According to PWCS, "the Modified Standard Diploma is intended for certain students ... who have a disability and are unlikely to meet the credit requirements for a Standard Diploma. Eligibility and participation in this program are determined by the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team."
| Subject | Standard Units of Credit |
|---|---|
| English English 9, 10, 11, 12 |
4 |
| Mathematics Courses must include content from among applications of Algebra, Geometry, Personal Finance, and Statistics, or higher; Minimum courses required for first-time ninth graders are Algebra I Part I, Algebra I Part II, and Personal Living and Finance |
3 |
| Science Courses must include two selections from among Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and Active Physics |
2 |
| History and Social Sciences Courses must include US & VA History and US & VA Government |
2 |
| Health and Physical Education HPE I, HPE II |
2 |
| Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education (CTE) | 1 |
| Electives Courses must include at least two sequential electives |
|
| Total | 20 |
SPECIAL DIPLOMA
Students who complete the requirements of their IEP and do not meet the requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded the Special Diploma.