High School Graduation Requirements
The mission of the San Diego Unified School District is to ensure that all students will graduate with the skills, motivation, curiosity and resilience to succeed in their choice of college and career in order to lead and participate in the society of tomorrow.
In order to graduate from a San Diego Unified high school, all students must meet all of the following requirements:
Attendance
All students in grades 9-12 must attend eight semesters for six periods daily.
If it is in best interest of a student, an alternative plan may be created, with an accelerated program or shortened-day schedule. The plan requires counselor involvement as well as approval from the school principal and the student's parent/guardian.
Grade-Point Average
Students must maintain a cumulative weighted grade-point average (WGPA) of 2.0 or higher in scholarship, computed on the basis of A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. The WGPA for graduation is computed from courses completed in grades 9-12. Students should talk to their school counselors about the effects of repeating courses on computing GPAs.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses, certain International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, and designated Honors courses earn credit on a weighted or five-point scale: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 1, F = 0.
Conduct
Students must maintain a record of responsible citizenship. To participate in graduation ceremonies, students must meet a minimum standard of a 2.0 average in citizenship grades during the senior year. The citizenship GPA is computed on a scale of E (excellent) = 4, G (good) = 3, S (satisfactory) = 2, N (needs improvement) = 1, U (unsatisfactory) = 0.
California High School Exit Examination
All students in the State of California must pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to receive a diploma. The two-part examination is based on the California State Content Standards for English language arts and mathematics. All students are required to take the exam in the spring of grade 10. Students who do not pass either or both parts in grade 10 will continue to retake those parts in grades 11 and 12 until they are successful.
Senior Exhibition
Students must present a senior exhibition in order to receive a high school diploma. Information about exhibitions is available from individual schools.
Computer Proficiency
Students may demonstrate computer proficiency (in Grades 5-12) through completion of a course of study (such as i21) that incorporates proficiency in computer applications. Proficiency may also be demonstrated through satisfactory results on the high school level district test of computer proficiency.