Graduation Requirements

revised 7/13/07

 

In order to earn a diploma from GVCS, a student must fulfill requirements in the six growth areas, which, as specified in the charter, constitute an educated person in the 21st century.  The student must also take and pass the CAHSEE.

 

Meeting Graduation Requirements

Credit System

Most schools in the United States of America base requirements for graduation on this measurement, by which a student earns credits for completing a certain amount of schoolwork, within a specified amount of time.  Traditionally, when a student passes a semester of math, for instance, s/he receives five credits of math; when s/he completes the whole year, a total of 10 credits are earned.  Schools using this system set a minimum of credits in each subject area required for graduation.

 

GVCS requires 210 credits to graduate.  These credits must be divided among the six growth areas as shown below.  In addition, certain growth areas require a specific number of credits be earned in specific courses.  Details are shown on the Graduation Requirements Worksheet form.  Extra credits earned in a particular growth area may be used to meet the Special Interests electives requirement.

 

 Required number of credits for graduation, by growth area:

  • English-Language Arts: 30

  • Life Skills: 50

  • History-Social Science: 30

  • Mathematics: 20

  • Science: 20

  • Special Interests: 60

 

Integrating Choice Options for fulfilling graduation requirements are numerous.  There are a wide variety of curriculum options for each course.  Students may choose from a variety of formats and text options.  Also, GVCS does not measure the length of time a student spends working on a subject area but expects the student to cover and master the educational material, topics, and state standards in order to earn the credits.  This allows the parent and student to design a plan of rapid mastery in order for the student to graduate in less than four years.  It also provides for parents and students to choose a more concentrated and lengthy course of study.  A student earns a diploma when s/he has completed the required credits with acceptable results and has passed the CAHSEE.  Completion of the credits required in each area is verified by the credentialed teacher, the Education Specialist.

 

Graduation Planning  Planning for graduation should begin early and should include the ES, parent, and student.  Future educational or employment plans should be discussed.  It is the student and parent’s responsibility to inform themselves of the requirements for admission at the college of the student’s choice.  It is also the student and parent’s responsibility to inform the ES of these requirements, in order to best plan high school course work accordingly.  The possibility of returning to a regular high school should also be discussed.  It is the student and parent’s responsibility to be informed of the requirements of any other high school the student may attend.  It is also the student and parent’s responsibility to inform the ES of those requirements, to allow the ES to best help guide the planning of the high school courses.  If the student is transferring from another school, they need to be as fully informed as soon as possible about graduation requirements.  It is the responsibility of the ES to make sure that the parent and student are fully informed regarding graduating from GVCS.

 

Golden Valley Charter School High School Graduation Requirements

 

Golden Valley requires a minimum of 210 credits on the high school transcript, in order to receive a high school diploma.  The credits must be achieved through the following minimum requirements, within each of our 6 growth areas:

1. English-Language Arts – 3 years (30 credits)

2. Life Skills – 50 credits

      Computer/Typing – 2 semesters (10 credits)     

Physical Education – 2 years (20 credits)

      Health – 1 semester (5 credits)

      Life Skills Electives – 3 semesters (15 credits)

[Life Skills Electives course titles include: the five GVCS-created modules; Career Exploration; additional credits of Computer, beyond the 10 credits required; Consumer Life Skills; Driver’s Education; Driver’s Safety & Awareness; Family Studies; First Aid; Leadership; Life Choices; Life Skills; Nutrition; and Personal Finance.  Health is a one semester, 5-credit class; no additional credits may be awarded for additional course work under the Health title.] 

3. History-Social Science – 30 credits

      World History – 1 year (10 credits)

      United States History – 1 year (10 credits)

      Economics – 1 semester (5 credits)

      American Government – 1 semester (5 credits)

      [All other history-type course titles (e.g. Ancient History, Medieval History,

Native American History, World Geography, etc.) are considered Special Interests elective titles, for the purposes of graduation requirements.]

4. Mathematics – 2 years (20 credits)

[Students must successfully complete Algebra 1, in high school or prior to entering high school.  Algebra 1 completed prior to 9th grade does not count towards the 20-credit math requirement.]

5. Science – 2 years (20 credits)

      1 year (10 credits) must be a physical science (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, etc.)

      1 year (10 credits) must be a life science (e.g. Biology)

6. Special Interests – 12 semesters (60 credits)

      1 year (10 credits) must be a Language other than English or a Visual or Performing Art

 

All students must also pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) in order to receive a diploma.

 

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