Graduation Requirements - Spearfish School District

Spearfish School District 40-2
5000 Students
Board Policy Code: 5700/6505
Page 1 of 2
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students will complete all prescribed requirements before being eligible for graduation from
high school. Requirements include:
I. Four years of attendance above the 8 th grade level unless early graduation is
requested.
+ Students in grade 9 must carry 8 classes
+ Students in grade 10 must carry 8 classes
+ Students in grade 11 must carry 8 classes; exceptions may occur if a student
is enrolled in a college or tech school, upon approval of the building
administrator.
+ Students in grade 12 must carry 7 classes; exceptions may occur if a student
is enrolled in a college or tech school, upon approval of the building
administrator.
+ Spartan time is required for all students unless excused by building
administration.
II.
III.
High school correspondence credit from an accredited institution will be
accepted and will be allowed, upon the approval of the building administrator.
Students may take college or vocational courses for credit towards high school
graduation, upon approval of the building administrator.
IV. Early graduation may be considered if a student has met the district’s academic
requirements. A conference between the student, parent, counselor and
principal will be held in the spring of the junior year. Students must complete
seven (7) semesters to attain early graduation. Students enrolled at the Black
Hills Education Connection may graduate upon completion of their program,
regardless of how many semesters they have completed.
V. Students will complete all graduation requirements before they can participate
in the graduation exercise and/or receive a diploma.
Approved April 10, 2006
Revised January 11, 2010
Reviewed January 9, 2012
Revised March 11, 2013

Spearfish School District 40-2
5000 Students
Board Policy Code: 5700/6505
Page 2 of 2
Spearfish High School Graduation Requirements
SHS Graduation Requirements
Regent Scholar Requirements
English/Reading and Communication Arts
(4 units)
English/Reading and Communication Arts
(4 units)
(1.5) Writing and (1.5) Literature including
(1.5 Writing and 1.5 Literature including
(.5) American literature and (.5) Speech
.5 American Literature and .5 Speech)
Social Studies
(3.5 units)
Social Studies
(3 units)
(1) U.S. History; and (.5) U.S. Government;
(.5) Social Studies elective
and (1.0) Geography; and (.5) World History
(1) U.S. History; and (.5) U.S. Government;
(.5 Social Studies elective)
and (.5) Geography; and (.5) World History
Mathematics
(3 units)
Mathematics
(3 units)
(**must include Algebra 1, Algebra II, and Geometry)
(must include Algebra 1, Algebra II, and Geometry)
Science (min. of 3 units of lab science)
(3 units)
Science (min. of 3 units of lab science)
(3 units)
(**must include Biology and Chemistry or Physics)
(must include Biology and Chemistry or Physics)
Fine Arts (1.0 unit) Fine Arts (1 unit)
*Health (Integrated)
(.5 units)
*Health (Integrated)
(.5 units)
Health/Physical Education
(.5 units)
Health/Physical Education
(.5 units)
Economics or Personal Finance (.5 units) Economics or Personal Finance (.5 units)
Computer Studies (.5 units) Computer Studies (.5 units)
Required Offerings:
(1.0 units)
(students must select with any combination of)
a. World Languages, or
b. Approved Career and Technical Education
courses;
c. *Capstone Experience
Required Offerings:
(2.0 units)
a. World Languages, or
b. Approved Career and Technical Education
courses;
c. *Capstone Experience
Total Credits (22 units) Total Credits (22 units)
No grades lower than a C in any of the above courses with
an overall 3.0 GPA
*Effective for students entering high school after July 2013
**District has the ability to modify the curriculum requirements of the Lab Science and/or Math
areas for more appropriate course work.