Graduation Requirements 

2006 Graduation Date/Time Information

1.    Graduation from the Williamson County Public Schools implies that students have satisfactorily completed the prescribed courses of study in accordance with their respective abilities to achieve and that they have satisfactorily passed any examination and other requirements set by the State and supplemented by the faculty with the approval of the Board.  In addition, students shall have main­tained a satisfactory record of citizenship during their progression through the instruc­tional program of the schools. 

2.    Students entering 9^th grade during the 2001-2002 school year (graduating class of 2005) must achieve a passing score on state end-of-course (Gateway) tests in order to qualify for high school graduation. 

3.    Qualification for, and participation in, graduation commencement exercises shall be limited to seniors who have satisfactorily completed the requirements for a diploma or will complete the requirements in the summer session immediately following the commence­ment exercises.  These students who have not completed the requirements prior to commencement will be listed as summer graduates. 

4.   No certificate of partial fulfillment of graduation require­ments shall be issued in lieu of a diploma, nor shall a diploma be issued with the understanding that some of the work required for it will be furnished at a later date. 

5.   The Board authorizes the awarding of graduation certifi­cates to those students recommended by the school staff, the principal and approved by the Director of Schools as having met the requirements for graduation established by the Board and the Tennessee state Board of Education. 

6.   Prior to the 9th grade, all students will develop a 4-year plan of focused and purposeful study.  This plan will be developed when the student is in the eighth grade by the student, parent(s), and faculty advisor or guidance counselor.  The plan will be reviewed annually.            

Types of Diplomas 

1.   The regular diploma will be awarded to students who (1) earn the specified units of credit or satisfactorily complete an individualized educational program, (2) make passing scores on all subtests of the proficiency or competency test, and (3) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct.

2.   Students may graduate with a Tennessee diploma with honors if they (1) complete the core curriculum and either the university preparation curriculum or the technical preparation curriculum, (2) maintain at least a 3.0 academic average on a 4.0 scale, (3) meet the competency test standards, (4) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct, and (5) meet such additional requirements as are specified by local school systems.

3.   Students may graduate with a Williamson County honors diploma beginning with the class of 2004.  For the classes of 2004 and 2005, a minimum of 10 credits at the honors or Advanced Placement level will be required for a Williamson County honors diploma.  Students must have a 3.0 or higher academic average on a 4.0 scale.  Beginning with the class of 2006, to earn a Williamson County Honors Diploma, students shall complete the core curriculum, including four years of math and four years of science, plus the university preparation curriculum and/or the technical preparation curriculum.  Course requirements for the Williamson County Honors Diploma are the same as for the regular diploma, PLUS a minimum of 14 credits at Honors or Advanced Placement level.  Students must have a 3.5 or higher academic average on a 4.0 scale.   Beginning with the class of 2004, if a student receives high school pass/fail credit at the middle school level, the credit will be counted as an honors class toward meeting the Williamson County high school honors diploma requirement.

4.   The high school certificate will be awarded to students who have earned the specified units of credit and who have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct, but who have not met proficiency or competency test stan­dards.

5.   The special education diploma will be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed an individualized education program, and who have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct, but who have not met proficiency or competency test standards. 

Regular Diploma - graduation year  2006

The following units shall be required for graduation:  

 **The social studies curriculum shall include United States history, world history/world geography, economics, and government.  Three credits of JROTC or ½ credit in American Business Legal Systems may substitute for ½ credit of government.  One-half credit in Marketing Education may be used to fulfill the ½ credit Economics requirement.

 *** Two years of JROTC may substitute for one year of wellness.

Each graduate must have completed 180 hours of computer education at some time during the student's educational career that can be documented or verified.  Students who transfer from another state during their senior year are exempt from this requirement.

Electives required to complete the University, Technical Preparation or combined Technical Preparation/ University Preparation Curriculum Path. 

If students have taken the equivalent of high school level courses, they ma meet course   requirements in accordance with local board of education policies permitting credit by examination except in U.S. History. (See Board Policy 4.6041)