The Governing Board desires to prepare each student to obtain a diploma of high school graduation in order to provide students with opportunities for postsecondary education and/or employment.

Beginning in the 2005-06 school year, each student completing grade 12 shall have successfully passed the state exit examination in language arts and mathematics as a condition of high school graduation. (Education Code 60851, 60859)

Supplemental instruction shall be offered to any student who does not demonstrate "sufficient progress," as defined in Board policy, toward passing the exit examination. (Education Code 37252, 60851)

Students who have passed all the district's course requirements by the end of their senior year but are unable to pass the high school exit examination shall receive a certificate of completion. The Superintendent or designee shall regularly report to the Board regarding the number of students receiving a certificate of completion and the resources that have been offered to such students.

When authorized in an official Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan, a student who has attended high school for four years may receive a Certificate of Attendance and may be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Requirements for graduation and specified alternative means for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to students, parents/guardians, and the public. (Education Code 51225.3)

Adult education students who fulfill the district's graduation requirements and pass the California High School Exit Examination shall receive a diploma of high school graduation.

GRADUATION GUIDELINES

The following designations will be used to identify our top performing students at all graduation ceremonies:

• Valedictorian – Student with the highest GPA White gown/gold sash/black stitching “Valedictorian”
• Summa Cum Laude – 3.9 and above GPA – these students are placed at the beginning of the line regardless of count School gown/white sash
• Magna Cum Laude – 3.8-3.89 GPA School gown/school-colored cord with gold (not old gold)
• Cum Laude – 3.5-3.79 School gown/School-colored cord only

GPA Calculation:

1. Only AP courses and Pre-AP (honors) Chemistry qualify for 5pt scale

2. College courses count for 5pt scale if equivalent is offered at student’s high school at a 5pt scale. A committee may be formed to determine exact classes and proper CIDs.

3. Only classes offered before school or after school may be counted as CR/NC. The only exceptions are Credit Recovery Health/Lifetime Fitness.

4. PE is not counted.

5. Three-year graduates are eligible.

Recognitions – Students will be recognized for their achievement in the following ways:

• Gold Seals on Diplomas
• Cords
• Eight Semester Honor Roll – Old gold cord
• Perfect attendance – White cord
• FFA/FHA/FBLA – State officer cord
• President’s Education Awards Program for Academic Achievement
• One school will be designated to order all cords and sashes for all comprehensive sites using an order form provided by the District Office.
• Medals
• Students may choose their three most important medals they earned while in high school to wear during the graduation ceremony (i.e., ASB, perfect attendance, health academy, MESA, AVID, Decathlon, Mock Trial). *Special Cloth Sash/Pennant may be issued for Health Academy or any other Academy established by the DJUHSD.