Graduation Requirements

In support of student success, the Atlanta Board of Education shall offer programs of study that permit students to earn unit credit in grades 9 through 12 leading to graduation with a diploma that prepares students for postsecondary education and careers. To participate in any graduation exercises or ceremonies, Atlanta Public Schools seniors must meet all of the requirements specified in this policy and in administrative regulations issued by the superintendent for an APS high school diploma or a special education diploma. Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) indicate that they are unable to meet these requirements shall be allowed to participate in graduation exercises and ceremonies.

Course Requirements 

 

Note:  Students may satisfy graduation requirements by taking equivalent AP/IB/Dual Enrollment courses. Core courses and PE electives are listed by the Georgia Department of Education here:  State-Funded List of K-8 Subjects and 9-12 Courses

*Students with disabilities who take and pass Mathematics 1, GSE Algebra, or its equivalent in conjunction with a mathematics support class and Mathematics 2, GSE Geometry, or its equivalent in conjunction with a mathematics support class upon determination through the Individualized Education Plan process may meet diploma requirements by completing Mathematics 3, GSE Advanced Algebra, or its equivalent for a total of 3 mathematics credits. Completion of 3 units of mathematics may not meet mathematics admission requirements for entrance into a University System of Georgia institution or other postsecondary institution without additional coursework.

** The community service requirement is intended to provide students with opportunities to explore how they can contribute to the well-being of their community. The Superintendent is directed to establish guidelines for appropriate community service projects both within APS and in the larger community.

 

Accelerated Career Diplomas

The Accelerated Career Diploma (formerly known as Option B and Senate Bill 2) offers qualified students an alternate path to high school graduation. Participating students choose to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college Associate Degree, or a Technical Diploma, or two (2) Technical Certificates of Credit in a specific career pathway in a program or course approved by the SBOE. The list of Accelerated Career Pathways can be found on the Technical College System of Georgia site. For qualified students, these college courses may be taken under the Dual Enrollment Program.  At a minimum, Dual Enrollment students pursuing a high school diploma through the Accelerated Career Diploma must successfully complete and pass the following courses and participate in the specified end-of-course assessments:

• 2 English/Language Arts (9th Grade Literature required)                  
• 2 Math (Algebra I or Coordinate Algebra, and Geometry or Analytic Geometry)
• 2 Science (Biology required)                                      
• 2 Social Studies          
• 1 Health/PE
• Students may satisfy graduation requirements by taking equivalent AP, IB, and/or Dual Enrollment courses.

In lieu of additional traditional graduation requirements, the Accelerated Career Diploma allows students to earn a diploma by satisfying one of the following:

• (i) an associate degree program;
• (ii) a technical college diploma program and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state, national, or industry occupational certifications or licenses required to work in the field; or
• (iii) at least two technical college certificate of credit programs in one specific career pathway and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state, national, or industry occupational certifications or licenses required to work in the field as determined by the Technical College System of Georgia.

A student who meets the requirements of this policy shall be deemed to have met all graduation requirements of the State Board of Education and shall not be subject to any assessments otherwise required for purposes of graduation. 

Exceptions and Flexibility

The Atlanta Board of Education believes coursework beyond that required by the State of Georgia fully prepares students for college and career. However, the superintendent or designee is authorized to issue administrative regulations that waive these enhanced requirements (two units of the same modern language, Latin, American Sign Language, or computer science, community service, ½ unit of PE) on a case by case basis.

The superintendent may also grant exceptions and make substitutions to specific course requirements that provide an equivalent level of rigor and align with the approved APS charter system contract, the approved APS strategic plan, cluster plans, and school strategic plans.

The superintendent is authorized to issue administrative regulations to implement this policy.

Board Policy IHF: Graduation Requirements