Graduation Requirements

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 2.5 Grade Point Average
• Courses must meet MS IHL college preparatory curriculum requirements
• Earn MS IHL and community college college and career ready benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 17 in English and 19 in math or the SAT equivalency)
• Must successfully complete one of the following:
  • One AP course with a grade of C or higher and take the AP exam
  • One Diploma Program - IB course with a C or higher and take the IB exam
  • One academic dual credit course with a C or higher in the course

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I and two (2) sciences above Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 2.5 Grade Point Average
• Earn Silver Level on the ACT WorkKeys
• Successfully complete one of the following:
  • One CTE dual credit course or earn articulated credit in the high school CTE course
  • Work-Based Learning Experience or Career Pathway Experience
  • Earn a State Board of Education approved national credential

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class.

** A student must earn a minimum of three (3) science credits with one (1) being Biology I.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

The student must:

• Earn an overall 3.0 Grade Point Average
• Courses must meet MS IHL college preparatory curriculum requirements
• Earn college and career ready benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 18 in English and 22 in math or the SAT equivalency)
• Must successfully complete one of the following:
  • One AP course with a grade of B or higher and take the AP exam
  • One Diploma Program - IB course with a B or higher and take the IB exam
  • One academic dual credit course with a B or higher in the course

* Mississippi College and Career Readiness Math 8, Compacted Math 8/Algebra I, or Geometry taken in the eighth grade will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. Compacted Math 8/Algebra I taken in grade seven will receive a Carnegie Unit that counts toward graduation and will count in the student's Grade Point Average and Rank in Class. At least two of the four required math courses must be higher than Algebra I.

** A student must earn a minimum of four (4) science credits with one (1) being Biology I and two (2) sciences above Biology.

*** The credit earned for a State/Local Government course in any other state by an out-of-state transfer student who enters after the sophomore year can stand in lieu of Mississippi Studies or Mississippi State and Local Government. If the transfer student took a State/Local Government course in a grade level that did not award Carnegie unit credit, then any other ½ unit social studies course may be accepted. An out-of-state student who transfers after the junior year may substitute any other ½ unit social studies course.

**** One unit in ICT II or Cyber Foundations II taken in the seventh or eighth grade or STEM taken in the eighth grade is accepted in lieu of the two ½ unit courses. Evidence of proficiency in Keyboarding and Computer Applications is accepted in lieu of the required courses if the student earns one unit in any of the courses listed in the Business & Technology Framework.

***** The Physical Education requirement may be met by participating in JROTC for one year or by participating in marching band, fitness classes, or athletic activities that are sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association that meet the Carnegie unit seat time requirements throughout the semester as specified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

****** Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing shall not be included in the four English courses required for graduation.

Oxford School District students with a significant cognitive disability ruling (SCD) and their parents/guardians shall be given the option of the student working toward a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance. This decision will be considered at the student’s IEP meeting prior to his/her entering the ninth grade. The IEP shall thereafter reflect the option selected by the IEP committee, to include the parents and the student with a SCD ruling and shall specify whether the student is seeking a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance. If there is a need for change, the decision may be reversed through the IEP Committee process. Students who choose the traditional high school diploma will be required to follow the graduation requirements for students in regular education. Students who choose the alternate diploma will be required to complete the criteria as designated in the alternate diploma curriculum and as approved by the State Board of Education. Students who choose the certificate of attendance will be required to complete the provisions taken from a special education curriculum that will be listed in the Individual Education Program. Every student who completes an approved course of study by or before age twenty-one will receive a traditional high school diploma, an alternate diploma or a certificate of attendance and will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Legal Reference: Senate Bill 2578; Mississippi Code 37-16-11

NOTE: The Alternate Diploma is not equivalent to a traditional high school diploma and is not recognized by post-secondary entities that require a traditional high school diploma.