Graduation Requirements
In this section:
PROMOTION AND RETENTION (OSHS)
(Not for athletic consideration)
Promotion and retention of students shall be based upon their mastery of course objectives.
The Ocean Springs School District (OSSD) Board of Trustees (BOT) shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include as a minimum:
- Mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education and/or other options as adopted by the State Board of Education; and,
- Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the BOT.
A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.
The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation. Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated MS Code § 37-16-7.
Graduation from OSHS is contingent upon meeting the requirements of OSSD BOT Policy IHF - Graduation Requirements.
- The final decision to promote (or retain) a student shall be a joint decision made by the teacher and principal, based on Number 1.a-e above and mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education and/or other options as adopted by State Board of Education.
Students who have successfully completed the 8th grade will be considered 9th grade students. Listed below are the minimum units, which must have been earned to attain sophomore, junior, and senior status:
- Entered 9th Grade: 0
- Sophomore Status: 6
- Junior Status: 11
- Senior Status: 18
Special Education Students
The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education. Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed. Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public. MS Code § 37-23-133, and MS Code § 37-23-1 (1999)
For information on the awarding of a special diploma or an occupational diploma, please refer to MS Code § 37-16-11.
The OSSD Instructional Program has sequential, planned instructions for all subject/grade levels. Minimum proficiency requirements are necessary for students to progress to the next higher level/grade. Consideration for promotion is based on the following:
- A minimum passing average in the current subject/grade level;
- Potential for doing work in the next higher grade level;
- Attendance;
- Willingness to complete work;
- Each student receiving a standard diploma has achieved mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education and/or other options as adopted by State Board of Education.
- OSHS
Senior students are ranked according to their weighted GPA at the end of the fourth (4th) nine week period of the senior year for determination of honor designations. For a student to be eligible to be Valedictorian, Salutatorian, or Class Orator, the student must attend OSHS during his/her junior and senior years. Failure to meet this attendance requirement will not keep a student from being an honor graduate.
The Valedictorian shall be the student graduating with the highest quality point rank; the Salutatorian shall be the one with the second highest quality point rank; and the Class Orator shall be the one with the third highest quality point rank. The three (3) top students shall be designated as graduating with Highest Honors.
High honor graduates shall be those students who have earned a cumulative average of 4.0 or higher (weighted or unweighted). Students who graduate with a cumulative average of 3.67-3.9 (weighted or unweighted) shall be graduated with honors.
- OSHS
(OSSD BOT Policy IDCAA - Extended School Year / Correspondence Courses)
The Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Virtual Public School (MVPS), has approved online course providers that have been reviewed for alignment to the respective framework. The following guidelines apply:
- A student’s enrollment must have prior approval by the principal and the appropriate screening to be approved for the course;
- Registration must be coordinated by the school counselor, who will be the point of contact. The student nor his/her parent or guardian may register;
- The student may earn a maximum of 4 Carnegie Units towards graduation.
- OSSD does not provide the certified teacher for the online course;
- The cost of the course is to be covered by the student/family. The course provider sets the cost of the course.
The appointed school designees will oversee the development of policies/guideline, registration, and implementation of the MVPS or online courses for the students. Student Participation:
- All students taking an online course must abide by the program’s guidelines. Failure to do so could jeopardize participation in the program and may result in more serious disciplinary actions.
- Students enrolled in an online course will be required to follow the course outline, timeline, for completion of assignments, and testing procedures established by MDE.
- The grade that the online instructor records is the grade that will become part of his/her academic record.
- The OSSD BOT recognizes events that may arise that necessitate the utilization of virtual learning to fulfill the educational obligations of OSSD. Upon recommendation from the Superintendent, the BOT may authorize virtual learning as a method of education in the OSSD. See OSSD BOT Policy IA - Distance Learning.
- OSHS
OSSD BOT Policy IDCAA - Extended School Year / Correspondence Courses outlines that students in OSSD may earn carnegie units through completing correspondence courses required for graduation. State-tested courses will not be eligible to be taken by correspondence. In order to receive credit, the correspondence course must be approved by the principal or his/her designee and administered through a university or accredited program whose correspondence course has been approved by the Commission on School Accreditation.
- OSHS
Credit Recovery has been defined by MDE as a course-specific, skill-based learning opportunity for students who have previously been unsuccessful in mastering content/skills required to receive course credit or earn promotion. This policy does not apply for students retaking the class. OSSD has set up a credit recovery program to assist at-risk students reach graduation goals. Students must go through an application process and be approved before participation will be allowed.
- OSHS
Students pursuing a Traditional Diploma must identify an endorsement prior to entering 9th grade. Students are able to change their endorsement option with parental consent. There are three endorsement options: Career and Technical, Academic, and Distinguished Academic. Click here to view all of our academic endorsement and diploma options. See OSSD BOT Policy IHF - Graduation Requirements.
| TRADITIONAL DIPLOMA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects | Additional Requirements |
|
English
|
4
|
English I
English II
|
Students must identify an endorsement area prior to entering 9th grade. Endorsement requirements can only be changed with parental permission.
For Early Release/Late Arrival, students must have met College or Career Readiness Benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 18 in English and 22 in math or Silver Level on ACT WorkKeys) OR student must meet ALL of the following:
Also Recommended:
|
|
Mathematics
|
4
|
Algebra I | |
|
Science
|
3
|
Biology I
|
|
|
Social Studies
|
3.5
|
World History
US History
US Government (0.5)
Economics (0.5)
Mississippi Studies (0.5)
|
|
|
Physical Education
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Health
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Art
|
1
|
|
|
|
College & Career Readiness
|
1
|
Must occur in the student's senior year, or in the student completion of a 4-year sequence.
|
|
|
Technology or Computer Science
|
1
|
|
|
|
Additional Electives
|
5.5
|
|
|
| TOTAL UNITS: | 24 | ||
| CAREER & TECHNICAL TRADITIONAL DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects | Additional Requirements |
|
English
|
4
|
English I
English II
|
Earn an overall GPA of 2.5.
Earn Silver level on ACT WorkKeys.
Must successfully complete one of the following:
|
|
Mathematics
|
4
|
Algebra I | |
|
Science
|
3
|
Biology I
|
|
|
Social Studies
|
3.5
|
World History
US History
US Government (0.5)
Economics (0.5)
Mississippi Studies (0.5)
|
|
|
Physical Education
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Health
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Art
|
1
|
|
|
|
College & Career Readiness
|
1
|
Must occur in the student's senior year, or in the student completion of a 4-year sequence.
|
|
|
Technology or Computer Science
|
1
|
|
|
| CTE Electives | 4 | Must complete the two year program. | |
|
Additional Electives
|
5.5
|
|
|
| TOTAL UNITS: | 28 | ||
| ACADEMIC TRADITIONAL DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects | Additional Requirements |
|
English
|
4
|
English I
English II
|
Earn an overall GPA of 2.5.
Earn MS IHL & Community College readiness benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 17 in English and 19 in Mathematics).
Must successfully complete one of the following:
|
|
Mathematics
|
4
|
Algebra I + two (2) additional courses above Algebra I | |
|
Science
|
4
|
Biology I + two (2) additional courses above Biology I | |
|
Social Studies
|
4
|
World History
US History
US Government (0.5)
Economics (0.5)
Mississippi Studies (0.5)
|
|
|
Physical Education
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Health
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Art
|
1
|
|
|
|
College & Career Readiness
|
1
|
Must occur in the student's senior year, or in the student completion of a 4-year sequence.
|
|
|
Technology or Computer Science
|
1
|
|
|
|
Additional Electives
|
8
|
|
|
| TOTAL UNITS: | 28 | ||
| DISTINGUISHED TRADITIONAL DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Area | Carnegie Units | Required Subjects | Additional Requirements |
|
English
|
4
|
English I
English II
|
Earn an overall GPA of 2.5.
Earn MS IHL & Community College readiness benchmarks (ACT sub scores of 17 in English and 19 in Mathematics).
Must successfully complete one of the following:
|
|
Mathematics
|
4
|
Algebra I + two (2) additional courses above Algebra I | |
|
Science
|
4
|
Biology I + two (2) additional courses above Biology I | |
|
Social Studies
|
4
|
World History
US History
US Government (0.5)
Economics (0.5)
Mississippi Studies (0.5)
|
|
|
Physical Education
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Health
|
.5
|
|
|
|
Art
|
1
|
|
|
|
College & Career Readiness
|
1
|
Must occur in the student's senior year, or in the student completion of a 4-year sequence.
|
|
|
Technology or Computer Science
|
1
|
|
|
| Advanced Electives | 4 | Must be 5.0 or 6.0 courses | |
|
Additional Electives
|
8
|
Must meet CPC standards
|
|
| TOTAL UNITS: | 32 | ||
- OSHS
Students must meet requirements for the Subject Area Tests in U.S. History from 1877, English II, Biology I, and Algebra I. Testing requirements are determined by the year the student enters the course. Students may also meet minimum requirements based on concordance table or ACT sub-score of 17 or higher in related area or meet minimum combined score for all four subject-area tests.
- OSHS
A student who plans to graduate at the end of his/her junior year should commit him/herself to the program for early graduation no later than the end of his/her sophomore year and plan accordingly. Students who would like to be considered for three year graduation must follow this process:
- The student must discuss the request with her/his counselor at the end of 10th grade year to review credits earned and credits needed.
- In addition to 16 credits by the end of the 10th grade year, students must meet national ACT College and Career Readiness benchmarks (Sub-scores of Reading – 22 or English – 17 Math – 19) or ACT Workkeys (Silver) and meet requirements for subject area tests.
- Students must choose and complete an endorsement area to graduate early.
- The student will be given an Early Graduation Application upon the counselor’s approval at the end of 10th grade year. This must be signed and returned by a parent at a scheduled conference.
- Following the review of the application and benchmarks met, an interview with the principal will be scheduled for final approval in the summer between 10th & 11th grade.
- OSHS
For a senior who wants to graduate in December of their senior year, a student should successfully complete the following:
- Students must have 20 credits at the end of 11th grade and meet graduation requirements by December of their 12th grade year.
- In addition to credits, students must meet national ACT College and Career Readiness benchmarks (Sub-scores of Reading – 22 or English – 18 and Math – 22) or ACT Workkeys (Sliver) and meet requirements for subject area tests.
- Students must also complete an application for December Graduation.
- OSHS