The intent of this policy is to clearly articulate the graduation requirements for all students receiving an Edwin O. Smith High School diploma.

Graduation from Edwin O. Smith High School implies that students have satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study, fulfilled distributive course requirements, and met all state and district requirements for graduation.

Minimum Requirements for Graduation

The total number of credits needed for graduation shall be 23.

District Performance Standards

In addition to completing the credit and course requirements above, students must meet the following performance standards in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Educational Technology.

Promotion and Retention Policy

The Promotion and Retention Policy is intended to clearly articulate the board of education’s intention to foster achievement, reduce the incidence of social promotion and to foster standards for student achievement.

Promotion and Grade Placement

Students shall be placed at the appropriate grade level based on the number of credits earned each year.  Accordingly, the following minimum number of credits must be earned for each grade level to be promoted, based on a twenty-two (22)-credit graduation requirement.

Each student will be required to maintain a schedule of 5.0 credits plus 0.5 credits for physical education.[1]
Credits earned at other accredited high schools [2] will be accepted for transfer.

Retention

Only those students who earned a sufficient number of credits shall be promoted to the next grade level.  Students shall be retained at the end of the school year if they do not have sufficient credits to progress to the next grade.

The school administration may promote a student at any time during the school year when evidence has been received that the student has earned a sufficient number of credits for advancement.

[1] The minimum credit requirement may be waived for students entering their senior year with 18 or more earned credits in conjunction with an individual plan of study, approved by the director of guidance and principal.

[2]Transfer credits must be earned from an accredited high school recognized by a regional accrediting agency, such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Inc., and the State Department of

Education in which state the high school is located.

Students must meet a district performance standard in reading and writing.

Students must meet a district performance standard in social studies beginning with the class of 2007

Students must meet a district performance standard in mathematics. A total of 4 mathematics credits will be
required for graduation beginning with the class of 2010

Students must meet a district performance standard in science beginning with the class of 2007

All students in the senior year must complete an interdepartmental research and presentation project.

A total of 23 credits will be required for graduation beginning with the class of 2010