Graduation Requirements

Page last updated August 28, 2009 1:30 PM

 

3 Types of Graduation Plans

 

Traditional Graduation Plan Upon entering high school, all students are on the Traditional Graduation Plan.   The majority of North students follow this graduation plan. It follows state of Oregon guidelines and allows significant room for elective choices so that students can pursue their interests, career goals, and post-high school plans.   All students remain on this plan unless they follow the procedures to change it to an Individualized Graduation Plan.

Individualized Graduation Plan The Individualized Graduation Plan permits a student to alter the traditional graduation plan under certain circumstances, including: • Participation in a home schooling program for part of high school • Previous attendance in a non-accredited high school program • Participation in a study abroad program during high school   The student and parent must meet with a school counselor to determine the needs of the students and to develop a list of goals and coursework that meet the student’s needs.   The Principal and the Eugene 4J School Board must give final approval for the plan.   The application for an Individualized Graduation Plan must be completed no later than May 1l of the student’s Junior year.   Please note that the Individualized Graduation Plan is only available in Eugene School District 4J, and it is not transferable to any other school district if the student should move.

Modified Diploma A modified high school diploma may be issued to a North Eugene student who participates in the Leaning Center program and whose Individualized Education Plan directs a modified curriculum.   A Modified Diploma also requires that the student earn a minimum of 23 credits.   Those who receive a modified diploma must submit an Individualized Graduation Plan for a modified diploma through the Learning Center no later than the end of April of the Junior year.   A Modified Diploma may also be available to E.L.L. students, if that is the recommendation of the North Eugene English Language Learner Support Team.   Students earning modified diplomas will participate fully in the North Eugene graduation ceremony and activities.

 

To Participate in the Graduation Ceremony

In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, a student must have at least 19 credits by the end of term 3 of the senior year, and also be enrolled in all remaining requirements during term 4.  In addition, all career-related graduation requirements must also be completed before the graduation date.

 

 

4J Graduation Requirements

It is important to note that there are differences between 4J high school graduation requirements and college entrance requirements.

Download the graduation requirements

 

Additional State Graduation Requirements

Educational Plan and Profile: This is a description of the student’s educational plan while at North Eugene high school and plans for his/her future. The profile includes information about the types of classes the student has taken and may include test scores or assignments.
Click here to download the 2-year plan for seniors

 

Career Related Learning Standards: These are six standards that help the student to become more responsible and more employable. They include standards in personal management, problem solving, communication, teamwork, employment foundations, and career development.
Click here to download the standards

 

Career Related Learning Experience: The career experience may include things like job shadows, internships, job experience, volunteer work, service learning, and career fairs. The purpose of the CRLE is to give students an opportunity to explore a career area.
Click here to download the worksheet

 

Extended Application: The extended application is a project or assignment that the student has done that demonstrates rigor and relevance in learning. This may include things like a particularly challenging class experience, or an “outside the school walls” volunteer or work experience.

 

 

Graduation with Honors

Students must apply for an Honors Diploma by turning in the completed application to their counselor prior to spring break of their Senior year. Applications are available in the Counseling Center.

Eugene School District 4J offers an Honors Diploma at graduation to students who earn a standard high school diploma, and who also meet the following additional requirements:
• 24 credit hours
• 3.5 cumulative final grade point average
• 120 community service hours earned in grades 9-12

Community service requirements:

• At least 60 hours must be served in the larger community outside of the school.
• An adult in a supervisory position must verify community service hours by signing the log sheets. Parents, friends and relatives may not verify community service hours.
• Community service hours may not be used for school credit.
• There can be no financial payment for community service.
• Class time may not be used for community service; however use of unscheduled school time is permitted.

The following will NOT count towards meeting the community service requirement:
• Volunteering to work for a family business.
• Athletic participation.
• Pep band and orchestra performances.
• Babysitting without pay.
• IHS community service hours may also be used toward a 4J Honors Diploma.
• Service club meetings and conferences (only the service itself will be counted).
• Unverified community service hours.
• For overnight or full-day experiences such as volunteering at Camp Harlow or mission trips to Mexico, students may count only the hours used in service to others (not eating, sleeping, traveling or recreation) A maximum of 16 hours per day will be accepted.

If there are any questions about whether the community service meets the required guidelines, the student should get approval from the counselor well in advance of the deadline to turn in the application.

 

The Highlander Certificate of Advanced Mastery

The Certificate of Advanced Mastery represents student exploration and achievement in a specific career area of interest. CAM opportunities combine course work and community-based experiences to enhance the junior and senior year high school experience. The process of earning a CAM involves:

• Working with an advisor to formulate career goals.
• Taking coursesthat develop career interests.
• Working in the community to gain experience in a future career area.
• Identifying education and training needed for the future.
• The production of a portfolio that represents advanced accomplishments of the student.

 

Students who work towards a CAM:
• Enhance their education in the 11th and 12th grades.
• Make a smoother transition to college after high school.
• Gain experience in a future career area of their choice with local companies.
• Are recognized in the business community above their peers.

If students are interested in earning a CAM, they should see a counselor, administrator, or the school-to-work coordinator in the Counseling Center for specific course information on their CAM career area of interest.

 

 

Advancement Policy

No matter which graduation plan the student is on, earning a high school diploma in four years requires that students make consistent progress earning credits each year.

North Eugene requires that students earn a specific number of credits each year in order to avoid academic probation or reclassification. Students earning the Standard or the Modified diplomas must both meet the same credit expectations for advancement.

If a student earns less than a C, there is NO CREDIT given for the course.

The minimum number of credits required to successfully advance to the next grade level are:
Grade 9 . . . . 5 credits
Grade 10 . . . 10 credits
Grade 11 . . . 15 credits

Graduation before 2010 requires completion of at least 23 credits. Because satisfactory progress must be made at each grade level, a minimum of 5 credits should be earned by the end of the freshman year and 10 credits should be earned by the end of the sophomore year. If this progress is not made, the student may be placed on academic probation and the family should consult with a counselor or administrator to develop a plan for credit recovery, which may include summer or night school.

Students must earn at least 15 credits by the end of the junior year in order to advance to senior standing and be in a credit position to graduate from North with their class. Students not meeting this requirement will be reclassified as juniors. A reclassified student may file a “Petition to Reclassify” with the counselor if the student has earned enough additional credits through summer or night school.

Families will be notified by mail during the summer if their student does not meet the minimum credits for advancement listed above.

 

Early Graduation

Students wishing to graduate early must petition in advance the Eugene 4j School Board for a waiver of attendance requirements. Information is available through your counselor.