It shall be the policy of the Board of Education to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program appropriate to the achievement of District goals and objectives as well as personal proficiency by the awarding of a diploma at fitting graduation ceremonies.

The Board directs the District Administrator to prepare a list of specific criteria for granting a high school diploma which includes the student's academic performance, the recommendations of teachers, the statutory credit requirements, and any additional Board-approved credit requirements.

The Board requires an additional seven and one-half (7 1/2) credits in elective courses in addition to the credit requirements set by Statute for high school graduation. A total of twenty-six (26) credits are required to receive a high school diploma, provided all other requirements as determined by the District Administrator and Board policy are met. The Board authorizes the District Administrator to establish an alternative diploma program for students that meet the requirements of State law but not the additional elective credit requirements established for attainment of a regular high school diploma from the District.

A student must also have participated in curriculum relating to financial literacy and completed the appropriate examination assessing their financial literacy to the same extent as the State mandated test assesses their knowledge of mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history.

The Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in this District who meets the requirements of graduation established by this Board as provided by State law. and detailed in AG 5460 – Graduation Requirement.

In order to be granted a high school diploma, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, a student must successfully complete a civics assessment.

Students with disabilities who properly complete the programs specified in their I.E.P. and have received the recommendation of the I.E.P. Committee may participate in graduation activities and may be awarded a diploma (provided the student satisfied the District's high school graduation requirements).

The principal of the high school shall prepare a report describing the District's policies on high school graduation standards, including a list of courses required under State law and the number of hours in each school term required to earn one (1) credit for those courses. Additionally, any change to the District's policies shall also be reported to the Department of Public Instruction or other appropriate agency after it has been approved by the Board and signed by the Board president, the District Administrator, and the principal. A student may be denied participation in graduation activities for disciplinary reasons and for non-payment of fees.

Students who have participated in interscholastic athletics, for at least one (1) season as defined in the athletic handbook, while enrolled in grades nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11) and twelve (12), and as documented by the athletic director may be excused from .5 credits of the high school physical education requirement, provided they take an additional .5 credits in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education, at their choosing.

The Board may grant, upon a student’s request, permission for that student to take an additional .5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education towards high school graduation requirements in lieu of .5 credits in physical education based on the students participation in an organized physical activity the Board deems appropriate for this purpose. The student’s participation in such organized school activity must meet the stated requirements of the Board in terms of duration of participation and verification of same.

The Board may approve a course or courses in career and technical education that it determines may satisfy up to a total of one credit of mathematics and/or science credit.

115.28, 118.30, 118.33, Wis. Stats.

Revised 3/19/12
Revised 5/19/14
Revised 12/21/15
Revised 2/15/16
Revised 5/16/16