High School Graduation Requirements
Graduation from all Wake County Public School System high schools, except Broughton and Fuquay-Varina High Schools, requires completion of a minimum of twenty credits earned in grades nine through twelve. At Broughton High School, students must successfully complete twenty-two credits for the class of 2002, twenty-four credits for the class of 2003, and twenty-six credits for the class of 2004 and beyond. Students at Broughton High School must also complete twenty-five hours of community service. Twenty-six credits and an introductory writing course are required for graduation from Fuquay-Varina High School. 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.
Students at Wake County Public School System high schools also must meet established competency criteria. The only exemption to the Algebra I requirement is for students who 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 exempted, 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.
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. Starting as early as the graduating class of 2005, students must also demonstrate proficiency on the Exit Exam of Essential Skills. 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 Test 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. Additional credits are required at Broughton and Fuquay-Varina High Schools.
Graduating Classes Of 2004 and 2005
Minimum Graduation Requirements
The requirements for high school graduation are new for rising ninth and tenth graders. Students must satisfy all course, credit, and testing requirements for at least one Course of Study in order to earn a diploma. The charts on pages 8 and 9 provide specific information to guide in selecting a Course of Study and in choosing the appropriate courses.
Career Prep Course of Study RequirementsMeets minimum graduation requirements and is designed to prepare students for entry level career choices and admission to a community college |
College Tech Prep Course of Study RequirementsMeets higher academic standards and prepares students for admission in highly technical fields of study at a community college |
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Course |
No. of Credits |
Course |
No. of Credits |
|
English I, II, III, & IV |
4 |
English I, II, III, & IV |
4 |
|
Mathematics three courses to include Algebra I |
3 |
Mathematics Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II OR Algebra I and Technical Math I and II |
3 |
|
Science A Physical Science Biology Earth/Environmental Science |
3 |
Science A Physical Science related to career pathway Biology Earth/Environmental Science |
3 |
|
Social Studies Government/Economics (ELPS) U. S. History A World Studies course |
3 |
Social Studies Government/Economics (ELPS) U. S. History A World Studies course |
3 |
|
Second Language Not required |
|
Second Language Not required |
|
|
Computer Skills A specific course is not required. Students must demonstrate proficiency of computer skills through state testing. |
|
Computer Skills A specific course is not required. Students must demonstrate proficiency of computer skills through state testing. |
|
|
Healthful Living Education Healthful Living A & B |
1 |
Healthful Living Education Healthful Living A & B |
1 |
|
Career/Technical Select courses appropriate for a career pathway to include a second level(advanced) course. OR Select courses appropriate for an arts education pathway to include an advanced course. (Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts) At least one credit in an arts discipline as an elective is recommended for students not selecting an arts education pathway. |
4 |
Career/Technical Select courses appropriate for career pathway to include a second level (advanced) course. |
4 |
|
Arts Education (Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts) Not required. At least one credit in an arts discipline as an elective is recommended. |
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|
Electives |
2 |
Electives |
2 |
|
Proficiency on the Exit Exam of Essential Skills is required for the graduating class of 2005. |
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Proficiency on the Exit Exam of Essential Skills is required for the graduating class of 2005. |
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|
Total* |
20 |
Total* |
20 |
*Broughton, Fuquay-Varina, and Southeast Raleigh High Schools have different or additional requirements. See paragraph 1, page 7. Students should check with their guidance counselors for specific subject area and elective requirements.
College/University PrepCourse of Study Requirements Meets the highest level of academic standards and fulfills the minimum course requirements for admission to UNC Institutions |
OccupationalCourse of Study Requirements This Course of Study is appropriate for certain students who receive Special Education services. It prepares students to enter competitive employment.
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Course |
No. of Credits |
Course |
No. of Credits |
|
English I, II, III, & IV |
4 |
Occupational English I, II, III, & IV |
4 |
|
Mathematics Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or a higher level course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. (Effective with the class entering ninth grade for the first time in 2002-2003, the requirement shall become four credits, which shall be Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a higher level course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.) |
3 |
Occupational Mathematics I, II, & III |
3 |
|
Science A Physical Science Biology Earth/Environmental Science |
3 |
Science Life Skills Science I & II |
2 |
|
Social Studies Government/Economics (ELPS) U. S. History A World Studies course |
3 |
Social Studies Government/U. S. History Self-Advocacy/Problem Solving |
2 |
|
Second Language Two credits in the same language |
2 |
Second Language Not required |
|
|
Computer Skills A specific course is not required. Students must demonstrate proficiency of computer skills through state testing. |
|
Computer Skills Computer proficiency as specified in IEP |
|
|
Healthful Living Education Healthful Living A & B |
1 |
Healthful Living Education Healthful Living A & B |
1 |
|
Career/Technical Not required |
|
Career/Technical Vocational education electives |
4 |
|
Arts Education (Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts) Not required. At least one credit in an arts discipline as an elective is recommended. |
|
Arts Education (Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts) Not required. At least one credit in an arts discipline as an elective is recommended. |
|
|
Electives |
4 |
Occupational Preparation Occupation Preparation I, II, III, & IV Completion of 300 hours of school-based training, 240 hours of community-based training, and 360 hours of paid employment |
6 |
|
Proficiency on the Exit Exam of Essential Skills is required for the graduating class of 2005. |
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Additional Requirements Elective credits, completion of IEP objectives and career portfolio are required. The Exit Exam of Essential Skills is not required. |
|
|
Total* |
20 |
Total* |
22 |
*Broughton, Fuquay-Varina, and Southeast Raleigh High Schools have different or additional requirements. See paragraph 1, page 7. Students should check with their guidance counselors for specific subject area and elective requirements.
Classes Of 2002 and 2003
Minimum Graduation Requirements
The charts on this page provide specific information to guide students in the graduating classes of 2002 and 2003 in choosing the appropriate courses. Students must satisfy all course, credit, and testing requirements in order to earn a diploma.
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All High Schools (Except Broughton, Fuquay-Varina, & Southeast Raleigh High Schools) |
Southeast Raleigh High School |
Fuquay-Varina High School |
|
|
English |
(4 credits) English I, II, III, & IV |
(4 credits) English I, II, III, & IV |
(4 credits) English I, II, III, & IV |
|
Mathematics |
(3 credits) Algebra I or equivalent & two others |
(4 credits) Algebra I or equivalent & three others |
(3 credits) Algebra I or equivalent & two others |
|
Science |
(3 credits) Biology, a physical science, & an additional laboratory science |
(4 credits) Biology, a physical science, an additional laboratory science, & one other science |
(3 credits) Biology, a physical science, & an additional laboratory science |
|
Social Studies |
(3 credits) |
(3 credits) |
(3 credits) |
|
Healthful Living |
(1 credit) Healthful Living A & B |
(1 credit) Healthful Living A & B |
(1 credit) Healthful Living A & B |
|
Electives |
6 credits |
4 credits |
12 credits |
|
TOTAL CREDITS |
20 CREDITS |
20 CREDITS |
26 CREDITS |
|
NC Tests of Computer Skills |
Passing Score | ||
|
NC Competency Test |
Passing Score | ||
|
Broughton High School Class of 2002 |
BroughtonHigh School Class of 2003 |
|
|
English |
(4 credits) English I, II, III, & IV |
(4 credits) English I, II, III, & IV |
|
Mathematics |
(3 credits) Algebra I or equivalent & two others |
(3 credits) Algebra I or equivalent & two others |
|
Science |
(3 credits) Biology, a physical science, & an additional laboratory science |
(3 credits) Biology, a physical science, & an additional laboratory science |
|
Social Studies |
(3 credits) ELPS, U. S. History, & a World Studies course |
(3 credits) ELPS, U. S. History, & a World Studies course |
|
Healthful Living |
(1 credit) Healthful Living A & B |
(1 credit) Healthful Living A & B |
|
Electives |
8 credits |
10 credits |
|
TOTAL CREDITS |
22 CREDITS |
24 CREDITS |
|
NC Tests of Computer Skills |
Passing Score | |
|
NC Competency Test |
Passing Score | |