Futures High School - Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Futures High School Graduation Requirements include Basic Graduation Requirements, Special Condition Regarding Graduation, On-Campus Attendance Requirements, and Participation in Graduation Activities.

Gateway Community Charters

Curriculum & Instruction Board Policy 07-09

Futures High School Graduation Requirements

1. A student must earn a minimum of 220 credits in courses approved by Gateway Community Charters for high school credit in order to graduate. The grade point average (GPA) on all courses counted toward graduation shall not be less than 1.0 on a 4.0 scale. Courses offered by the GCC for high school credit usually award five (5) credits for each course completed each semester.

2. The minimum of 220 credits for graduation from Futures High School shall include:

Credits	Subject	Time Period
40 Credits	English	4 Years
30 Credits	Mathematics *	3 Years
10 Credits	Life Science	1 Year
10 Credits	Physical Science	1 Year
10 Credits	World History	1 Year
10 Credits	U.S. History	1 Year
5 Credits	American Government	1 Semester
5 Credits	Economics	1 Semester
10 Credits	Foreign Language or Fine Arts	1 Year
10 Credits	CTE/Practical Arts	1 Year
20 Credits	Physical Education	1 Year
60 Credits	Electives

*Students must pass Algebra 1/ Integrated Math I in order to graduate

3. Senior Project/Service Learning Graduation Requirement

Futures High School recognizes preparing "Future Leaders, Future Builders, Future Scholars" for a technologically-advanced global world economy entails learning to serve others, forming partnerships, and developing inter-relationships with the community.

- All seniors graduating from Futures High School must complete a Senior Project in order to receive a diploma.
- Senior Projects shall consist of four required components: the service learning project, the paper, the portfolio, and the presentation.
- Service learning will be met through a one semester course or through an independent study agreement.
- Service hours must be performed without an hourly wage or compensation (i.e. work experience, stipends, or scholarships).
- Service hours benefiting a religion or fraternal organization will not be considered for this project. (Note: Any activity whose chief purpose is to collect food, clothing or other items necessary to benefit others and meet human needs – even if done in conjunction with a faith based agency may be counted toward service hours.)
- Court ordered or mandated community service hours will not be considered for this project.

B. Special Conditions Regarding Graduation

1. Credits applied toward graduation for the following courses are limited to the credit amounts specified. In addition, core academic courses may be repeated but may only be counted once toward the total of 220 credits for graduation (i.e. Biology taken for two years is still only worth a maximum of 10 credits toward the 220 total).

Course	Limited To
Physical Education	40 credits
Office Assistant/Office Aide/T.A.	10 credits

2. No more than 40 credits may be earned in any semester from any combination of courses or work experience without prior written permission/approval by the principal or designee.

C. On-Campus Attendance Requirements

Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 shall be enrolled in a minimum of 6 classes on campus each semester (30 credits).
Students in grade 12 shall adhere to the following:
- Senior students shall have no less than 5 class periods per school day
- Written permission of the parent, guardian, or caregiver shall be obtained before a 5 period schedule is considered by the principal or designee.
The principal or designee may approve a 5 period day for senior students for the following reason(s):
- to attend a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) class off-campus
- to attend a concurrently enrolled college class
- to maintain employment as a means of family support
- for any compelling reason determined by the principal to be appropriate
Senior students may be granted a 5 period day schedule if the student meets all of the following requirements:
- has a 2.5 or better, grade point average
- has passed both sections of the California High School Exit Examination(CAHSEE)
- has satisfactory school attendance
- has satisfactory school behavior
- is on target to graduate in June of the current school year
The principal, upon conferring with the superintendent, may waive any or all requirements due to special circumstances.
Seniors with 5 period day schedules shall leave campus immediately after completing school coursework each day unless approved otherwise by the principal or designee.
The school counselor shall review student progress each grading period to determine if a 5 period day schedule should continue.
The principal may require the senior student to return to a full day schedule at any time.

D. Participation in Graduation Activities

At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, a student who has not passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and has met all other graduation requirements may participate in graduation exercises. The student will be granted a Certificate of Completion. When/if the CAHSEE requirement has been satisfied, the student will be granted his/her diploma.
A senior student lacking in course credits or has who has failed to meet all senior graduation requirements, may work to develop a graduation completion plan/contract with the school guidance counselor prior to the spring semester. This plan must be approved by the Superintendent or designee in order for the senior to participate in graduation exercises. Upon completion of the plan/contract, the senior will be granted their high school diploma.

E. Futures High School Graduation Outcomes Futures High School Students are expected to be:

Effective Communicators who:

Read, write, speak, and listen reflectively and critically.
Use speech and the written word clearly and concisely.
Use language to communicate ideas clearly and comprehensively
Have effective interpersonal skills of integrity, honesty, and responsibility

Quality Producers who:

Create practical, artistic, intellectual and physical product
Show pride in the quality of their work.
Use computers and other technological equipment proficiently.

Critical Thinkers who:

Organize, analyze, combine, and access critical data to solve problems and create products.
Collect data, think critically, develop options, and make sound decisions.
Speak clearly presenting evidence and being able to argue opinions effectively.
Have clear understanding of opportunities and pathways to prepare for college and career.

Lifelong Learners who:

Conduct self evaluations, constantly work to increase their knowledge and improve their skills and are motivated, self directed learners.
Set and follow through with the short-term and long-term academic and personal goals.
Gather, interpret, and synthesize information from a variety of informational sources.
Adapt to a changing society and improved technologies by staying informed of current world events and changes.

Responsible Citizens who:

Demonstrate civic awareness when involved in decision making.
Use knowledge gained and skills learned to make informed decisions and choices.
Take responsibility for their actions.
Contribute time, energy, and resources in a responsible manner in socially and culturally diverse local and global communities.
Affirm and recognize contributions of peers and community.
Be active part of the self-managing group by exercising emotional intelligence, self-control, and resilience.
Conduct themselves in an honest, ethical manner.

High School Diploma/Community College Sample 4-Year Plan

Sample 4-Year Plans
High School Diploma/Community College Sample 4-Year Plan

9	10	11	12
English 9	English 10	English 11	English 12
Geography	World History	US History	Econ/Government
Algebra 1	Algebra 1 Geometry	Elective*	Elective*
Earth Science	Biology	Elective*	Elective*
PE	PE	Elective*	Elective*
Elective*	Health/Driver’s Ed	Elective*	Elective*

*One elective must be from each of the following three categories: Introduction to Computer Technology, Chemistry, World Language, ROP, and/or Visual and Performing Arts

Minimum CSU/UC Sample 4-Year Plan

9	10	11	12
English 9	English 10	English 11	English 12
Geography	World History	US History	Econ/Government
Algebra 1	Algebra 1 Geometry	Geometry Algebra 2	Algebra 2 Elective*
Earth Science	Biology	Chemistry	Elective*
PE	PE	Elective*	Elective*
World Language 1	World Language 2	World Language 3	Elective*

*One elective must be from each of the following three categories: Introduction to Computer Technology, Chemistry, World Language, ROP, and/or Visual and Performing Arts

Recommended UC/CSU Sample Plan

9	10	11	12
English 9	English 10	English 11	English 12
Geography	World History	US History	Econ/Government
Algebra 1 Geometry	Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2	Geometry Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus	Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus AP Calculus
Earth Science	Biology	Chemistry	Physics
PE	PE	Technology Elective	Elective
World Language 1	World Language 2	World Language 3	Visual/Performing Arts Elective