New High School Graduation Requirements

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has set new graduation standards for all students across the state. The class of 2010 (current ninth-graders) will be the first group of students required to achieve a Level III or higher on the North Carolina End of Course (EOC) standardized tests in five core subjects: algebra I, U.S. history, English I, biology, and civics and economics.

In order to graduate, students in the class of 2010 must meet all state and local course requirements, pass the Computer Competency Test, demonstrate proficiency in five core EOC tests and complete a Senior Project.

Students at Saturn, SCALE and the middle colleges must complete at least 20 units of study, while students on a traditional schedule must complete at least 22 units of study. Students on a block schedule must complete at least 28 units of study in the chosen course pathways.

To ensure no student is left behind, GCS is offering support for students who fail to achieve a Level III or higher on EOC tests, thus not meeting proficiency. Students will be given two retest opportunities, which will be preceded by intervention, remediation or extended instructional opportunities.

These opportunities will supplement regular high school course work and may include: smaller classes, tutoring sessions, an extended school day, parental involvement, modified instructional programs, computer-based assistance and summer school instruction.

For more information, students and parents should contact their school's counseling department.

Click here for the district's policy on graduation standards.

Click here for the NC Department of Public Instruction's Exit Standards Implementation Guide.

Click here for the NC Graduation Requirements Flyer.