Graduation Requirements

The Washington State Board of Education and Central Valley School District Board of Directors have established four statewide graduation requirements, beginning with the Class of 2008.

All students in the Central Valley School District in the Class of 2008 through 2012 are held accountable to these graduation requirements:

1. Complete a Culminating Project
   Culminating projects challenge students to demonstrate and display mastery of skills acquired during their academic careers. Students select a topic of interest and present their findings to teachers, community members and other students.
   
   
2. Meet Standards for Reading, Writing and Math
   Pass the high schol reading and writing Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or state approved alternative, and meet the district's math graduation reqiurements. (see www.waslinfo.org)
   
   
3. Earn 23 Class Credits
   Students must earn at least 23 credits in specified subject areas. One high school credit is 150 hours of planned instructional activity approved by the district (WAC 180-51-050). In most cases, one-half credit is awarded for each successfully completed class. Credits by subject area required for graduation:
   1. Language Arts – 3
   2. Mathematics - 3
   3. Science – 2 (One credit is required as lab science in grade 10-12)
   4. Social Studies – 2 ½
         Global Studies (grade 9) - ½
         U.S. History (grade 10 or 11) - 1
         Government (grade 11 or 12) - ½ 
         Current World Problems (grade 11 or 12) - ½
   5. Health (½) & Fitness (1 ½) – 2
   6. Fine, Visual or Performing Arts - 1
   7. Occupational  Education – 1
   8. Electives – 8
   9. Culminating Project (grade 12) -  ½
   10. Tutorial/Advisory Period (TAP) - 0
       TOTAL - 23
       
       Students planning to attend a two or four year college should contact that college for specific entrance requirements.
       
       
4. Develop a High School and Beyond Plan
   Students must detail their plans for meeting the high school graduation requirements and describe what they expect to do one year after graduation. This plan is intended to help students identify post-secondary interests such as education, travel, military and work by thinking about their future and providing motivation for their current work in high school. The plan begins in the 8th grade and continues to be updated throughout the student's high school years.

Detailed information about alternative learning experiences, waivers, appeals and other possible exceptions related to graduation requirements are published in Central Valley School District Board policies and procedures. Click here to view this information.