Graduation Requirements

It shall be the policy of this district that the following Carnegie units must be attained for designated classifications:

• Sophomore – 6 units (with one unit being satisfactory completion of English I)
• Junior – 12 units (with one unit being satisfactory completion of English II)
• Senior – 17 units

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 2.5 Grade Point Average
• Earn Silver Level on the ACT WorkKeys
• Successfully complete one of the following:
  • One CTE dual credit course or earn articulated credit in the high school CTE course
  • Work-Based Learning Experience or Career Pathway Experience
  • Earn a State Board of Education approved national credential

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 2.5 Grade Point Average
• Courses must meet MS IHL college preparatory curriculum requirements
• Earn MS IHL and community college college and career ready benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 17 in English and 19 in math or the SAT equivalency)
• Must successfully complete one of the following:
  • One AP course with a grade of C or higher and take the AP exam
  • One Diploma Program - IB course with a C or higher and take the IB exam
  • One academic dual credit course with a C or higher in the course

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I and two (2) sciences above Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 3.0 Grade Point Average
• Courses must meet MS IHL college preparatory curriculum requirements
• Earn college and career ready benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 18 in English and 22 in math or the SAT equivalency)
• Must successfully complete one of the following:
  • One AP course with a grade of B or higher and take the AP exam
  • One Diploma Program - IB course with a B or higher and take the IB exam
  • One academic dual credit course with a B or higher in the course

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** A student must earn a minimum of four (4) science credits with one (1) being Biology I and two (2) sciences above Biology.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** One of the four required science units must include Biology I. In addition, one unit must be a lab-based physical science course. The allowable lab-based physical science courses are Physical Science, Chemistry I, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics and AP Physics.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** One of the four required science units must include Biology I. In addition, one unit must be a lab-based physical science course. The allowable lab-based physical science courses are Physical Science, Chemistry I, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics and AP Physics.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** One of the four required science units must include Biology I. In addition, one unit must be a lab-based physical science course. The allowable lab-based physical science courses are Physical Science, Chemistry I, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics and AP Physics.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two 1/2 unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

In 2010, Mississippi state policymakers passed legislation to create multiple pathways to a standard diploma. The 2010 legislative actions created a career pathway to a standard diploma, with the goal of improving Mississippi graduation rates and providing students with career and technical training that prepare students for postsecondary credential or certification programs and employable workplace skills. This legislative change created new section 37-16-17, Mississippi code of 1972, to provide for high school career option programs and career track curricula for students not wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree.

Mississippi’s Institution of Higher Learning requirements differ from minimum graduation requirements for this diploma pathway.

* Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation. The two additional English credits must be from the student’s program of study which includes Technical Writing, Creative Writing, English III, English IV, or any college-level dual credit courses.

** Compensatory Mathematics may not be included in the three mathematics courses required for graduation. Effective with eighth graders of 2008-2009, Pre-Algebra and Transition to Algebra may not be taken after a student completes Algebra I. For students pursuing the Career Pathway Graduation Option, at least one of the required mathematics courses must be above Algebra I and selected from the student’s program of study. The allowable mathematics courses that can be taken which are higher than Algebra I are: Geometry, Algebra II, Survey of Mathematical Topics, Algebra III, Advanced Math Plus, Essentials for College Math, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Discrete Mathematics, Statistics, and AP Statistics, or any college-level dual credit courses. Effective with the eighth graders of 2004-2005, Pre-Algebra, Transition to Algebra, and Algebra I, may be taken in the eighth grade for Carnegie unit credit. Effective with the eighth graders of 2008-2009, Geometry may be taken in the eighth grade for Carnegie unit credit.

*** For students pursuing the Career Pathway Graduation Option, at least one of the required science courses must be above Biology I and selected from the student’s program of study. If a student’s program of study allows, one unit may be in Concepts of Agriscience (AEST). A second science unit may be earned by completing a two course sequence selected from the following three options: Science of Agricultural Animals, Science of Agricultural Plants, or Science of Agricultural Environment. Two units may be in the following courses if the student completes the 2-course sequence: Agriscience I & II; Allied Health I & II; Health Science I & II, Aquaculture I & II; Forestry I & II; Horticulture I & II; Polymer Science I & II; Technology Applications I & II and Engineering I & II.

**** Advanced placement U.S. History is accepted in lieu of the required U.S. History 1877 to Present. The third social studies credit should be selected based on the student’s program of study.

***** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course. Credit earned for the first year of Marketing and Economics (Vocational) may be accepted in lieu of ½ unit in Economics.

****** Credit earned in Allied Health I/Health Science I may be accepted in lieu of Comprehensive Health or Family and Individual Health to meet the graduation requirement for ½ Carnegie unit in Health. Interscholastic athletic activities, band, and ROTC if they meet the instructional requirements specified in the Fitness through Physical Education Framework may also be accepted.

******* Career and Technical (CTE) courses must be based on the student’s program of study and should include dual credit/dual enrollment options as found in Section 37-15-38 of the Mississippi Code of 1972.

******** Evidence of proficiency in technology is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in a technology-rich academic or career technical course related to their program of study.

********* Electives must be selected from courses related to the student’s program of study. Credits earned not approved for that student’s program of study will not be counted toward graduation requirements.

Oxford School District students with disabilities and their parents/guardians shall be given the option of the student working toward a high school diploma or a special education certificate of attendance. This decision will be considered at the student’s Individual Educational Program (IEP) meeting prior to his/her entering the ninth grade. The IEP shall thereafter reflect the option selected by the IEP Committee and shall specify whether the student is seeking a high school diploma or a special education certificate of attendance. If there is a need for change, the decision may be reversed through the IEP Committee process. Students who choose the regular high school diploma will be required to follow the graduation requirements for students in regular education. Students who choose the special education certificate of attendance will be required to complete the provisions taken from a special education curriculum that will be listed in the IEP. Every student who completes an approved course of study by or before age twenty-one will receive a regular high school diploma or a special education certificate of attendance and will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Oxford School District students with a significant cognitive disability ruling (SCD) and their parents/guardians shall be given the option of the student working toward a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance. This decision will be considered at the student’s IEP meeting prior to his/her entering the ninth grade. The IEP shall thereafter reflect the option selected by the IEP committee, to include the parents and the student with a SCD ruling and shall specify whether the student is seeking a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance. If there is a need for change, the decision may be reversed through the IEP Committee process. Students who choose the traditional high school diploma will be required to follow the graduation requirements for students in regular education. Students who choose the alternate diploma will be required to complete the criteria as designated in the alternate diploma curriculum and as approved by the State Board of Education. Students who choose the certificate of attendance will be required to complete the provisions taken from a special education curriculum that will be listed in the Individual Education Program. Every student who completes an approved course of study by or before age twenty-one will receive a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance and will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Legal Reference: Senate Bill 2578; Mississippi Code 37-16-11

The Alternate Diploma is not equivalent to a traditional high school diploma and is not recognized by post-secondary entities that require a traditional high school diploma.