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Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS & PROGRAMS

USD 220 requires 26 credits to graduate with a high school diploma. Our students are encouraged to customize their class choices based on their interests and future goals as they use their Individual Plan of Study (IPS) to guide them to post-secondary success.  Students wishing to go to a traditional university or college are encouraged to take the Kansas Scholar’s Curriculum and complete the requirements for the Diploma of Excellence. Students wishing to receive the honor of Valedictorian or Salutatorian, must complete the Diploma of Excellence.

STEM

Math

3 credits (6 semesters)

Required:

  • Algebra 1 (unless taken 8th gr)
  • Geometry
  • Algebra 2

Electives:

  • Intermediate/College Algebra (if Alg 1 in 8th)
  • Trigonometry
  • Calculus
  • Consumer Math

 

*Kansas Scholar’s Curriculum requires 4 full credits (8 semesters) of math

 

*High school credit will be giving to 8th graders completing Algebra 1 with a C or higher.

 

Science

3 credits (6 semesters)

Required:

  • Physical Science
  • Biology
  • Any 1 credit (2 semesters) of choice from science elective classes

Electives:

  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Animal Science
  • Plant/Soil Science
  • Agriscience
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Advanced Biology
  • Advanced Chemistry

 

*Kansas Scholar’s Curriculum requires Chemistry and Physics

COMMUNICATIONS

English Language Arts

4 credits (8 semesters)

 

  • English 9
  • English 10
  • English 11
  • Choice: English 12 (1 semester) or  Composition I  & Composition II (dual credit – ITV)

 

Communications

 

0.5 credit (1 semester)

 

Electives:

  • Speech (dual credit option available via ITV)
  • Forensics
  • Debate

 

SOCIETY & HUMANITIES

History & Government

3 credits (6 semesters)

Required:

  • World History
  • American History
  • Government

 

Humanities

1 credit (2 semesters)

Electives:

  • Psychology (dual credit)
  • Sociology
  • Economics (ITV)
  • Civics
  • Current Events
  • Spanish (ITV)

 

*Kansas Scholar’s Curriculum requires 2 credits (4 semesters) of the same foreign language as well as 0.5 credit (1 semester) of Psychology, Sociology, Economics, or Current Events

 

Fine Arts

1 credit (2 semester)

 

Electives:

  • Band
  • Choir
  • Drama
  • Forensics
  • Art (ITV)
  • Digital Media
  • 21st Century Journalism (Yearbook)

 

EMPLOYABILITY & LIFE SKILLS

Physical Education

0.5 credit (1 semester)

Required:

  • 9th grade Physical Education (1 semester)

Electives:

  • Lifetime Fitness
  • Weights

 

Health

0.5 credit (1 semester)

Required:

  • 9th grade Health (1 semester)

Electives:

  • Nutrition & Wellness

 

 

Financial Literacy

0.5 credit (1 semester)

Required:

  • Financial Literacy (1 semester)

Electives:

  • Consumer Math (approval only)

 

Career Technical Education

  1. credit (2 semesters)

 

To participate in FFA, students must be currently enrolled in any of the agriculture classes

 

Electives: Pick 2 semesters of any of the following classes

 

Agriculture – Power, Technical, and Mechanical

  • Ag Welding (beginner)
  • Ag Fabrication (advanced)
  • Ag Mechanics
  • Ag Structures
  • Ag Power (pending)
  • Internship (pending)
  • Senior Capstone (pending)

 

Agriculture – Comprehensive

  • Agriscience
  • Animal Science
  • Plant and Soil Science
  • Ag Business
  • Ag Leadership
  • Internship (pending)
  • Senior Capstone (pending)

 

Digital Media

  • Computer Applications
  • Business Essentials (ITV)
  • Digital Media Design & Production
  • 21st Century Journalism (yearbook)
  • Senior Capstone (pending)
  • Internship (pending)

 

Health Science

  • Intro to Health Care
  • Medical Terminology (ITV)
  • Nutrition & Wellness
  • Anatomy & Physiology (ITV)
  • Certified Nurse Aide (dual credit – pending)
  • Internship (pending)
  • Senior Capstone (pending)

 

General

  • Skills for Career & Life (pending)
  • Career Exploration
  • Office, Library, Elementary, or Teacher Aide **
  • Dual Credit Independent Study **

Electives

8 credits required

Choose from any course listed as “Elective”

*Not all classes will be available every year due to staffing/available periods.  Students will create an Individual Plan of Study their freshman year to help guide and insure they receive the classes they need to complete their goals. 

Recommended Courses for Post-Secondary Success

*All students are encouraged to be college and career ready.  Students pursuing a university pathway are encouraged to be CTE Pathway completers, and students pursuing a technical or general pathway are also encouraged to challenge themselves academically.

 

College/University

(Diploma of Excellence)

Technical/Trade School

General Studies

 

STEM

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Geometry

Intermediate/College Algebra

Trigonometry/Calculus

Physical Science

Biology

Chemistry

4th Higher Science of Choice

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Geometry

Intermediate/College Algebra or Math for CTE

Physical Science

Biology

Science of Choice

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Geometry

Consumer Math or Math for CTE

Physical Science

Biology

Science of Choice

 

Communications

English 1

English 2

English 3

Composition 1 & 2

Speech

English 1

English 2

English 3

English 4

Speech

English 1

English 2

English 3

English 4 & 0.5 Choice

 

Humanities

World History

American History

Government

Fine Arts (1 year)

Foreign Language (2 years)

Choice of any two: Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or Current Events

World History

American History

Government

Fine Arts (1 year)

Spanish (2 years)

World History

American History

Government

Fine Arts (1 year)

 

Life & Employment

Physical Education

Health

Financial Literacy

Computer Applications

1.5 credits of any elective class

Physical Education

Health

Financial Literacy

Computer Applications

CTE Pathway (3 credits)

2.5 credits of any elective class

 

Physical Education

Health

Financial Literacy

Computer Applications

Career Exploration

Skills for Career & Life

7 credits of any elective class

 

Recommended Assessments

PACT (9th)

ACT (10th)

PSAT/NMSQT (11th)

ACT (11th)

ASVAB (11th)

PACT (9th)

Work Keys (11th)

ACT (11th)

ASVAB (11th)

 

Pathway Completer Requirements

Any student choosing to pursue the honor of being a CTE Pathway completer in any of the approved pathways must complete the required courses, as well as a senior project to be approved by the advisor which may include presentation to a panel of faculty and area experts.

Civic Contribution  Requirements

 

80 hours volunteer time over the course of four years

*Required*

40 hours volunteer time over the course of four years

*Special Commendation at Commencement*

 

 

*To be eligible for the Kansas Scholar’s Curriculum honors and scholarships, Physics must be taken in the Diploma of Excellence path and may be counted for a 4th science credit.