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Graduation Requirements
CSSD offers three options for graduation:

1) Option 1 High School Diploma

2) Option 2 High School Diploma

3) Option 3 General Education Development (GED)/California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) Certificate

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

OPTION 1 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA:

Students graduating with an Option 1 High School Diploma from an Altus School must complete 42 Semester Credits in grades 9-12. Altus schools’ graduation requirements may fulfill the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admissions requirements. Items that have an asterisk (*) are the courses that UC or CSU bound students should take.

Option 1 Graduation Course Requirements:

English - 8 semester credits
  • 4 credits - English 1-4*
  • 2 credits - American Literature*
  • 2 credits - World Literature*
  • Contemporary Voices in Literature* or English Literature*
    *4 years required

Mathematics - 6 semester credits
  • 2 credits - Algebra
  • 2 credits - Geometry
  • 2 credits - Intermediate Algebra* or Integrated Math I
    *3 years required, 4 years recommended

Science - 4 semester credits
  • 2 credits - Physical Science (Earth Science, Physics* or Chemistry*)
  • 2 credits - Life Science (Biology*)
    *2 years required, 3 years recommended

Social Studies - 6 semester credits
  • 2 credits - World History*, Geography & Economics*
  • 2 credits - US History*
  • 1 credit - Government*
  • 1 credit - Economics
    * 2 1/2 years required

Electives - 13 semester credits
  • PE credits earned prior to Altus will be counted as elective credits
  • UC/CSU: 2 credits –Approved electives in same area

Senior Exhibition - 1 semester credit
All students must present a senior portfolio (met through the Introduction to Careers 2 course)


World Languages and Visual, Performing and Practical Arts – 3 semester credits
  • Option 1:
    • 2 credits - World Language (both semesters must be the same language)
    • 1 credit - Visual, Performing or Practical Arts
  • Option 2:
    • 2 credits - Visual or Performing Arts
    • 1 credit - Practical Art
  • UC/CSU Option:
    • 4 credits – World Language (all semesters must be the same language; 2 years required, 3 years recommended)
    • 2 credits – Visual or Performing Arts (both semesters need to be the same course)

Computer Literacy - 1 semester credit
Demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy in grades 7-12 by taking an approved course


ROP/Service Learning – 2 semester credits
  • Option 1: 2 credits - ROP (Regional Occupational Program)
  • Option 2: 2 credits - Service Learning (120 hours total of community service) - Recommended for UC & CSU students

Grade Point Average (GPA) All students must have a weighted GPA of 2.0 or higher in scholarship based on coursework completed in grades 9-12.


California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE)
All graduates must pass both the English Language Arts and Mathematics sections of the California High School Exit Examination in order to receive a diploma in California. Passing score is 350. NOTE: Students, including English learners, who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination by the end of grade 12 are to be provided the opportunity to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12.

*Courses required for UC/CSU Admissions. Students planning on applying to a UC or CSU can request a meeting with a college counselor to develop a course plan.


OPTION 2 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

The Option 2 High School Diploma seeks to assist those students that will have reached their 18th birthday by the graduation deadline, and have at least 28 credits in the required courses and a minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in those courses designated for the state of California Option 2 diploma.

Option 2 Graduation Course Requirements:

English - 6 semester credits
Must have American Literature 1 and 2

Mathematics - 4 semester credits
Including Algebra 1, 2 and higher

Science - 4 semester credits
Including Biology 1, 2 and one year of a physical science

Social Studies - 6 semester credits
World History, Geography & Economics 1, 2; U.S. History1, 2; Government 1; and Economics 1

Electives - 2 semester credits
Recommended courses from our current Practical Arts list

Practical Arts - 2 semester credits
All students must present a senior portfolio (met through the Introduction to Careers 2 course) which fulfills 1 Practical Arts requirement

World Languages and Visual, Performing and Practical Arts – 2 semester credits of Fine Arts AND 2 semester credits of Practical Arts (which includes Introduction to Careers 2)

Computer Literacy – must prove competency in computer literacy

ROP/Service Learning/WEE – 2 semester credits
  • Option 1: 2 credits - ROP (Regional Occupational Program)
  • Option 2: 2 credits - Service Learning (120 hours total of community service)
  • Option 3: Work Experience Education (350 hours of paid employment)

Grade Point Average (GPA) Students must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.00 in the required courses for Option 2

California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) All graduates must pass both the English Language Arts and Mathematics sections of the California High School Exit Examination in order to receive a diploma in California. Passing score is 350. NOTE: Students, including English learners, who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination by the end of grade 12 are to be provided the opportunity to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12.


Option 3 GRADUATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS: CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM (CHSPE) OR GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED)

Students graduating with the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) from an Altus school must complete the following requirements:
  1. Successful completion and passing score on the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).
  2. An official score must be received from the State of California verifying a passing score.
  3. Upon successful completion and at the request of the parent/guardian (unless the student is 18 or older), the student must complete a Parent Consent for Exemption from Compulsory Attendance (Form C-37) and submit to the school.

Students graduating with the General Education Development (GED) from an Altus school must complete the following requirements:
  1. Successful completion and passing scores of 410 or higher on all five (5) subject matter exams.
  2. Overall score of 450 or higher.
  3. An official score report must be received from the State of California verifying a passing score and a copy submitted to the school.