The State of Maryland authorizes one kind of diploma for all high school graduates, based upon successful fulfillment of the following five kinds of requirements: enrollment, credit, courses, Student Service Learning and competencies.
Enrollment Requirement = Students must satisfactorily complete four years beyond Grade 8 (For exceptions, see Alternatives to Four-Year Enrollment).
| Credit Requirements |
* 22 Total Credits are required
* English - 4 credits.
* Fine Arts - 1 credit (Selected courses in Art, Dance, Drama/Theater, and Music that satisfy the Fine Arts requirement are marked with a dagger "+" in the course booklet).
*Technology Education - 1 credit (Courses in Industrial and Technology Education, Business Education, and Computer Science that satisfy the Technology Education requirement are marked with "#" or"." in the course booklet).
* Mathematics - 4 credits (1 Algebra, 1 Geometry). Students who have successfully completed a calculus course offered by MCPS may be exempted from the 4-credit requirement in mathematics.
* Science - 3 credits (1 Biology, 1 Physical Science).
* Social Studies - 3 credits (1 U.S. History, 1 World History, and 1 Government).
* Physical Education - 1 credit
* Health Education - .5 credit
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Additional Requirements
In addition to meeting the specific credit requirements, a student is required to earn at least one of the following: |
Foreign Language - 2 credits or
Advanced Technology - 2 credits or
Career Development Program - 3 to 9 credits. |
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High School Assessments (HSA's)
The Classes of 2007 and 2008 must take (not necessarily pass) HSA's in Algebra, NSL, Biology, and English 10. Beginning with the class of 2009, students must pass the HSA's with a minimum score to be determined by the state. |
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Student Service Learning Requirement
Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements contain a student service learning (SSL) component. MCPS students are required to complete a minimum of 60 SSL hours. Middle school students complete 30 SSL hours through the infusion of service learning experiences in the middle school curriculum. The remaining 30 hours may be earned in middle or high school. New students enrolling in MCPS as second semester juniors are required to accumulate 15 SSL hours; those enrolling anytime during the senior year are required to complete 10 SSL hours. All documented SSL hours from any school system will be accepted toward the MCPS graduation requirement. Students who earn 260 or more SSL hours are eligible to receive a certificate of Meritorious Service. |
| Hours may be accumulated through the following: |
- Curriculum - Courses with service learning outcomes and activities are identified in the course descriptions. Students may earn all, part, or none of the identified hours based upon evidence of attainment of the service learning outcomes for the course.
- Co-curricular - A list of approved school activities and organizations that include SSL is available in schools.
- Community Organizations - Students may complete SSL hours through activities offered by approved organizations outside the school setting and day. A listing of approved organizations is available to students in media centers, career centers, and guidance offices, from the SSL coordinator in each high school and on the Internet at this link.
- Special Student Service Activities - A student must present a written proposal for approval to the school service learning committee before performing service learning activities not approved as described above.
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| Verification of service is required for hours earned through co-curricular activities, community organizations, and special activities. For additional information, see the student service learning coordinator or guidance counselor. |
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Certificate of Merit
In addition to the Maryland high school diploma, students who meet the following requirements may be awarded the Montgomery County high school Certificate of Merit: |
Advanced Courses
At least 12 credits must be earned in advanced courses identified by MCPS as applicable to the Certificate of Merit.*
Cumulative Grade Point Average
Students must obtain at least a 3.0 un weighted cumulative grade point average. |
| All courses counted toward the Certificate of Merit must be taken for a letter grade. |
| * Courses that satisfy these requirements are designated by an asterisk in course listings in this bulletin. |
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